Current Laser Users (Sealed or Open)

For the protection of everyone using lasers, especially unshielded lasers, the following web pages are to be read. When this has been done, send an e-mail indicating that you have done this and have read the tutorial referred to under “11.” below. Also have any students separately e-mail me when they have done the tutorial. e-Mail:  sowaj@union.edu

1. Start: enter www.union.edu/safety in the web address 
2. Click  Science Safety
3. Click Laser Safety then click Laser Safety Manual
4. Click first bullet – classes of lasers – Note lasers were reclassified about three years ago.
5. Click next page and read the requirements which must be followed for Laser Safety
6. Enter the new web address -  www.ehs.uiuc.edu
7. Click training
8. Click Radiation Safety Training
9. Under Laser Safety click “on line tutorial”
10. At the bottom of this page Click “proceed to the tutorial”
11. Run through the power point presentation, reading the material in the right hand window too.

When you have done this, inform John R. Sowa, LSO at sowaj@union.edu that you have done this and understand the material.

SOP REQUIREMENT

A SOP must be posted in any room where a laser is being used.  If the following is appropriate it may be copied and posted.

Standard Operating Procedures of Laser Users

1. Anyone routinely using a laser, i.e., other than as an occasional visitor, must have read the laser tutorial - presented in union.edu/safety - Science Safety – Laser Manual. If the individual(s) are just visiting, the principle investigator must warn the visitor(s) about the hazards of a laser including health hazards from exposure and electrical shock and how these might occur.
2. Whenever exposure to a laser is possible, individuals must protect their eyes by wearing appropriate eyewear. If your laser is a sealed laser, protection or proper precautions must be observed whenever the laser is on and is being aligned or repaired
3. Every individual should be aware of high voltage electrical hazards. Turn off the power if there is a possibility of an electrical shock
4. Solutions (dyes) which are used in the laser must be treated as hazardous waste and disposed of properly
5. If your eyes are exposed to the laser or you suspect an exposure, report this immediately to 388-6911 and have an eye exam done immediately at Ellis Hospital or by a competent professional. Know the characteristics of the laser you were using, like wavelength, power, continuous or pulsed the position of the source relative to your eye when the exposure or suspected exposure was received.
6. Interlocks must be functional such that when a non-sealed laser is on, a visible “Laser Warning” light must be on. When the interlock light is out, the laser must not be functional. The interlock must not be disconnected
7. Any laser light beam which could extend beyond the laser bench must be blocked such that the light can not extend beyond the bench. The block must positioned such that any individual is not able to put their head in line with the light
8. A laser beam can be reflected off of medium to highly reflective surfaces and could cause eye damage
9. Be aware that a laser light which is not in the visible region is especially dangerous and extra precautions should be taken to avoid any possibility of exposure
10. That light in the UV region can damage the surface of the eye and light in the IR region can damage to the iris of the eye. Such damage might be irreversible.
11. Even laser pointers might damage vision when the eye is exposed for longer than 0.7 sec. If your visual reflect system is slowed by drugs or for some other reason, you have an increased potential to receive eye damage from a laser pointer
12. Pulsed lasers can be especially harmful as the pupil of the eye might not close and excessive quantities of energy could enter the eye.