Program Documents

Laser-Professionals Inc. offers the following program documents available for preview and download.

Suggested Standard Operating Procedure
Example Standard Operating Procedure
Laser Safety Audit Form (Industrial)
Laser Hazard Evaluation Report (Research)

SUGGESTED SOP

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SUGGESTED SOP (10/27/2004) PDF PDF, 152Kb

The ANSI Z136.1 Standard for the Safe Use of Lasers requires a written standard operating procedure (SOP) for activities requiring access to class 4 laser beams. The SOP for industrial laser equipment is usually a concise document that gives general safety guidelines instead of specific, step-by-step instructions. We recommend the following sections. You may change the format to meet your individual needs. 1. System Description. This includes the laser type, intended application, location, wavelength, power of CW lasers, energy per pulse, pulse duration, and repetition rate of pulsed lasers, output beam diameter, and beam divergence (if known). 2. Hazards. List the hazards associated with the laser. This includes eye and skin hazards from direct or scattered radiation, electrical hazards, laser generated air contaminants, and any other recognized hazards. 3. Control Measures. For each hazard listed above, briefly state the control measures to be used. It is important to include the following in this section:

A. Laser protective eyewear is required for all personnel whenever the laser is operational in a class 4 state. Include the specific type of eyewear that is approved. B. A brief description of the laser controlled area and entryway controls. C. A reference to the equipment manual. D. Either alignment procedures or a reference to attached alignment guidelines.

4. Training Requirements. The specific training requirements of approved personnel should be stated. 5. Emergency Procedures. List actions to be taken in case of emergency and personnel to be contacted. 6. Approved Personnel. List by name all individuals who are approved to operate the laser in a class 4 state without supervision. This may be a separate document or an attachment to the SOP. Note: A hazard evaluation is also required by ANSI. This should be kept on file by the LSO. It may be attached to the SOP if desired, but this in not required.

EXAMPLE SOP

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EXAMPLE SOP (10/27/2004) Word Word, 176Kb

Scope: This SOP applies to all activities in which there is potential access to the laser beam. 1. System Description. Model 1000 Nd:YAG laser marker system manufactured by the XYZ Company. This is a class 1 laser system with an embedded class 4 laser. Wavelength: 1.064µm Pulse Duration: 100 ns Pulse Repetition Rate: 5,000-20,000 Hz Average Power: 30 W Beam Diameter: 4 mm Beam Divergence: 2 mrad 2. Hazards. A. Eye hazard from direct, reflected or scattered beam. B. Skin hazard and fire hazard. C. Electrical hazard inside power supply. D. Laser Generated Air Contaminants. 3. Control Measures.

A. Establish Laser Controlled Area using laser barrier and warning signs. Approved laser safety eyewear with O. D. 5.0@1064nm is required for all personnel inside the controlled area. Block beam with diffuse reflecting beam block. See equipment manual for beam alignment procedures. B. Keep all combustibles, tool, and reflective surfaces away from the beam path. Make sure you know where the beam is and stay clear. C. Work involving access to the power supply is normally done with the system locked out. Access to the energized power supply must be done only by qualified personnel using the “buddy” system. Workers are directed to review the electrical safety and power supply sections of the manual before any activities involving access to high voltage. D. When functioning normally, the exhaust system will remove all LGACs even with the protective housing open. Notify the LSO if you think there might be a problem.

4. Required Training. Laser Safety training is required before personnel will be authorized to be in the controlled area while the beam is accessible. 5. Emergency Procedures. IN CASE OF EMERGENCY: Notify Laser System Supervisor at ext. _______ For emergency medical response call ext. _______ Report all incidents to the LSO at ext. ________ 6. Authorized Personnel The following personnel are authorized to operate this system in a class 4 condition:

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LASER SAFETY AUDIT FORM (last updated: 09/12/2005 original version: 01/10/2005) PDF PDF, 82Kb

LASER SAFETY AUDIT FORM (Industrial)

This audit form was designed primarily to meet the needs of all industrial laser safety audits. It may also be used for most audits of research laboratories. A PDF format document is available for laser professionals to download and fill in.

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LASER HAZARD EVALUATION REPORT (last updated: 09/12/2005 original version: 12/28/2004) PDF PDF, 98Kb

LASER HAZARD EVALUATION REPORT (Research)

This form was developed to meet the needs of diverse research laboratories and provides some information not included on the Laser Safety Audit Form. The first page contains all the laser information and a laser hazard analysis. The second page contains all the laser controlled area information. A PDF format document is available for laser professionals to download and fill in.