Laser Safety Management

For the many research institutions and industries that regularly employ lasers, a proper laser safety program can mean big savings in time, money, and most importantly, human well-being. Based on the extensive experience of active Laser Safety Officer Kenneth Barat, Laser Safety Management provides practical tools for successfully implementing a laser safety program in any environment. The book explores the types of laser injuries that can occur, standard operating procedures to ensure safety, tips and tools to avoid pitfalls, training, control measures, and personal protection equipment. The author also discusses non-beam hazards and includes practical control examples and sample forms.

An effective laser safety program can mean big savings in time, money, effort, and most importantly, human well-being. It can improve the quality of your research program, your organization's reputation, and ultimately, improve your bottom line. Based on the extensive experience of active Laser Safety Officer Kenneth Barat, Laser Safety Management provides practical tools for successfully implementing a laser safety program in any environment. The book defines the three elements of laser safety: users, the laser safety officer, and incidental personnel. It covers the types of laser injuries, standard operating procedures to ensure safety, tips and tools to avoid pitfalls, training, control measures, and personal protection equipment. The author explores the laser safety officer position and delineates the required elements of effective SOPs. He also discusses non-beam hazards, includes practical control examples and sample forms, and covers U.S. and European regulations and standards. Taking a pedagogical approach, the book covers not only how to avoid accidents, but how to investigate them if they do occur. It includes a sample safety program designed to evaluate your current safety plan and act as a roadmap for where you need to be and how to get there. Filled with common sense solutions for laser safety issues, the book makes setting up a safety program practically painless.

OVERVIEWTraditional Laser SafetyLife Cycle Additional Life Cycle ElementsClassification ResponsibilitiesProbabilistic Risk Assessment BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS: WHY WE CARE ABOUT LASER EXPOSUREIntroductionThe EyeSigns of Eye Exposure Damage Mechanisms Laser Radiation Effects on Skin Tissue Optics THE LASER SAFETY OFFICER: THE KEY TO LASER SAFETYThe effective LSO Gets Out and Walks Laser Use Space Laser Safety CommitteeInventoryTrainingSigns Warning LightsAuditsSTANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES: A BINDING SAFETY CONTRACTIntroductionSOP Flow Sample Format Follow-Up to the SOPLaser Control Boilerplates Sample Laser SOP1Laser and Laser System SOP Guidelines PRACTICAL TOOLS FOR LASER SAFETY AND TRAPS TO AVOID IntroductionThe Laser Safety "Tool Box" Wish List Transition Zone Between the LSO and Laser System UsersLaser Safety TrapsTHE LASER-SAFETY MANAGEMENT PROGRAMIntroductionBenefits of the Laser-Safety Management Program File Structure Institutional Binder Sections Institutional Binders Sample FormsLASER SAFETY TRAININGUser TrainingAwareness TrainingOn-the-Job Safety TrainingExploring Training Options New Training Suggestion: A Laser Lessons Learned ClassRefresher TrainingLaser Quizzes The Training MatrixLaser Pointer AwarenessPERSONNEL PROTECTION EQUIPMENTIntroductionFull AttenuationVisual Light Transmission Comfort and Fit Damage Threshold Considerations Prescriptions Sensor Card UseWeightLabeling Ultrafast LasersAdditional ConsiderationsPartial Attenuation (Alignment Eyewear) Additional PPE LASER ACCIDENTSIntroductionAlignment Activities Failure to Wear Protective EyewearElectrical Hazards Overlooked Additional Hazards and Solutions Improper Restoration of Lasers after Servicing Lack of Planning Wearing the Wrong Eyewear and Improper FitFatigue and Stress Workplace Culture To Whom Are These Accidents Happening?The Perceived IncidentAccident InvestigationWritten Report: Not Finished Until the Paperwork Is Done Why Should Recommendations Be Made? What Should Be Done if the Investigation Reveals Human Error? Not Every Laser Accident Involves an Eye or Skin Injury Typical Laser Pointer Incidents Guidance for Laser Pointer UseExamples of Laser AccidentsLaser Accident Action Plan Medical FacilityCan Laser Accidents Be Prevented?AN EXPLANATION OF CONTROL MEASURESAdministrative Controls For the InstitutionResearch Lab Administrative ControlsEngineering ControlsEngineering Control MeasuresU.S. AND EUROPEAN REGULATIONS AND STANDARDSIntroductionUser Regulations State Regulations User StandardsManufacturer Regulations British Regulations and Standards LASER SAFETY CALCULATIONSIntroductionConverting between Irradiance and Radiant ExposureOptical DensityChoosing Exposure Duration TimesNONBEAM HAZARDSIntroductionElectrical HazardsPhysical Hazards Chemical HazardsFire Hazards Ergonomics and Human FactorsSeismic Safety Area Illumination Mechanical Hazards Supplemental Electrical Safety Section PRACTICAL CONTROL MEASURESWeb Resources LASER BASICSIntroductionWhat is a Laser?Laser Theory and Operation Components of a Laser Types of Lasers Glossary Index

Barat, Ken