Laser Safety Program April 4, 2017

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. Purpose

Indiana University Environmental Health and Safety (IUEHS) has developed this Program to ensure compliance and the safe operation of Class 3B and 4 lasers. The Program requirements are derived from the American National Standard for the Safe Use of Lasers (ANSI Z136.1 - 2014).

1.2. Scope This Program applies to all Indiana University laser users who work with Class 3B or 4 lasers at the Indiana University facilities.

2. AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY 2.1. University Environmental Health and Safety (IUEHS) is responsible for:

Identifying a Laser Safety Officer (see Appendix A) for each respective campus;

Establishing and communicating laser safety requirements;

Determining hazard control measures for new laser systems;

Providing laser safety training;

Conducting periodic audits to ensure compliance with laser safety requirements; and

Investigating and determining appropriate corrective actions for any laser incidents.

2.2. Principal Investigators are responsible for:

Registering each laser or laser modification with IUEHS for their respective campus by completing and submitting Form LS-1 (Appendix D-1);

Restricting access to lasers to personnel who have completed training requirements described in Section 4.0 of this Program;

Ensuring that the laser is operated safely and in accordance with all University requirements as detailed in this Program;

Developing, for each laser, a written standard operating procedure that incorporates “specific” safety considerations and provide training to each laser user on these procedures;

Providing and requiring the use of appropriate personal protective equipment, such as eye protection, for all laser users during beam alignment and other high risk operations;

Ensuring that each laser user completes the required training and maintaining the training document form; and

Notifying IUEHS for your respective campus of any conditions that could compromise safety or compliance with this Program.

2.3. Laser Users are responsible for:

Completing Laser Safety training provided by IUEHS;

Reading and understanding this Program;

Completing laser specific training provided by the Principal Investigator before operating the laser;

Operating the laser safely and in accordance with all requirements contained in this Program and the specific standard operating procedures for that laser; and

Notifying the PI of any conditions that could comprise safety or compliance with this Program.

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3. PROGRAM ELEMENTS

3.1. Laser Hazard Control Measures Indiana University has adopted as requirements the recommendations of ANSI Z136.1 for hazard control measures for lasers. The ANSI standard specifies various engineering, administrative and procedural controls; as well as protective equipment for lasers and laser systems according to their hazard class. The intent of these controls and equipment is to ensure that the exposure of individuals who work with lasers is at or below the Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE).

3.1.1. Engineering Controls – All Classes

A protective housing with appropriate warning label shall be provided and utilized for all lasers except for certain applications, such as in research and development, where operation of the laser without a housing is necessary.

3.1.2. Engineering Controls – Class 3B and 4

A safety interlock shall be provided for any portion of the protective housing which, by design, can be removed during normal operation.

Service access panels permitting direct access to laser radiation shall be interlocked or shall require a tool for removal.

A key-actuated master interlock shall be provided for system operation.

All viewing portals and display screens included as an integral part of the laser system shall incorporate a suitable means (such as interlocks, filters, attenuators) to maintain the laser radiation for all operating conditions at or below the MPE.

The beam shall be enclosed to the extent possible for the specific application. Where this is not possible, a Nominal Hazard Zone (NHZ) with appropriate control measures, as determined by the IUEHS Laser Safety Officer for your respective campus, shall be established and observed.

A permanently attached beam stop, capable of reducing the laser radiation to levels below the applicable (MPE) shall be provided at the laser exit port.

A warning light or alarm, electrically interfaced to the power supply, shall indicate laser start-up and operation.

3.1.3. Additional Engineering Controls – Class 4

In situations where the beam is not completely enclosed, operation shall occur only in a light-tight area with interlocked entrances, remote controls, and "panic button" for emergency deactivation of the system.

Beam stops shall consist of diffuse-reflecting, fire resistant materials.

Adequate ventilation of the operation area shall be provided.

3.1.4. Administrative and Procedural Controls – Class 3B and 4

Written standard procedures for operation, service, and maintenance of the laser system shall be developed by the Principal Investigator and observed.

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All individuals who will operate or service the laser system shall be provided with training which includes information on the potential hazards of the system and the appropriate controls to be utilized in minimizing these hazards.

All entrances to areas with laser systems shall be posted with appropriate warning signs (see Section 3.2)

3.1.5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Eye protection devices, which are specifically designed for protection against radiation from Class 3B and 4 lasers, shall be provided to and worn by laser users when engineering or other procedural and administrative controls are inadequate to eliminate potential exposure in excess of the applicable MPE (see Table 3 in the Appendix C-3 for selection criteria).

Windows that are located within the NHZ of a Class 3B or 4 laser shall be provided with appropriate filter, blocking barrier, or screen that reduces any transmitted laser radiation to levels below the applicable MPE level.

A barrier, screen, or curtain that can block or filter the laser beam at the entryway to the NHZ shall be used to prevent laser light from exiting the area at levels above the applicable MPE.

3.2. Warning Signs

Each entrance to a room that contains a Class 3B or 4 laser shall be posted with an appropriate laser warning sign. ANSI Z136.1 recommends that signs and labels conform to a standard design, format, and content. In general, include the following information (see illustration below.)

3.2.1. At position 1 above the tail of the sunburst, special precautionary instructions or protective action such as: Laser Protective Eyewear Required; Invisible Laser Radiation; Knock Before Entering; Do Not Enter When Light is On; Restricted Area Alternatively, position 1 above the tail of the sunburst can indicate special precautionary instructions or protective actions required by the reader such as:

For Class 2 and Class 3R lasers and laser systems where the accessible irradiance does not exceed the appropriate MPE based upon a 0.25 second exposure; Laser Radiation - Do not Stare into Beam or View with Optical Instruments.

For all other Class 3R lasers and laser systems; Laser Radiation - Avoid Direct Eye Exposure.

For all Class 3B lasers and laser systems; Laser Radiation - Avoid Direct Exposure to Beam.

For Class 4 lasers and laser systems; Laser Radiation - Avoid Eye or Skin Exposure to Direct or Scattered Radiation.

3.2.2. At position 2 below the tail of the sunburst, the type of laser (Ruby, Helium-Neon, Nd-YAG, etc.), or the emitted wavelength, pulse duration (if appropriate), and maximum output.

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3.2.3. At position 3, the class of the laser or laser system

3.3. Emergencies and Reporting Injuries/Illness In the event of a life-threatening emergency at an Indiana University facility, call 911. To seek medical treatment for an injury and/or illness that is not emergent, follow the procedures for your respective campus. For any incident involving lasers, the Laser Safety Officer for the respective campus must be notified within 24 hours of the incident.

4. TRAINING & RECORDKEEPING 4.1. Training

Prior to use of a Class 3B or 4 laser, users must complete training provided by IUEHS to ensure the safe use of this device. Specific training on each laser must be provided by the Principal Investigator.

The training shall consist of:

Reading the "Laser Safety Guide" located in the IUEHS online Laser Safety training module,

Completion of IUEHS online Laser Safety training,

Review of operating procedures and emergency procedures,

Review of the standard operating procedures for use and set-up and alignment, if applicable,

Selection and use of personal protective equipment, if required,

Identification and proper use of engineering controls,

Identification of administrative controls, including warning signs and lights,

Identification of non-laser safety hazards associated with the laser, and

For Laser Controlled Areas in which multiple lasers/wavelengths operate, advising the worker of other laser and non-beam hazards associated with other systems.

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4.2. Recordkeeping Documentation of training shall be maintained by the Principal Investigator (Appendix D-2). The risk assessment and hazard analysis will be maintained by IUEHS Laser Safety Officer for the respective campus.

5. REFERENCES American National Standard for the Safe Use of Lasers (ANSI Z136.1 - 2014), The Laser

Institute of America, Orlando, Florida, 1993.

A Guide for Control of Laser Hazards, American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1990.

Fundamentals of Industrial Hygiene, National Safety Council, Chicago, Illinois, 1988.

Introduction to Health Physics, H. Cember, Pergamon Press, 1985.

Safety with Lasers and Other Optical Sources, D. Sliney and M. Wolbarst, Plenum Press, 1981.

Indiana University Personal Protective Equipment Policy

Indiana University Laboratory Safety Policy

6. REVISIONS

Revised – April 7, 2017

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APPENDIX A – CONTACTS

EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBER

Fire, Police, Emergency Medical Service 911

University Environmental Health and Safety - www.protect.iu.edu/ehs

Name Title Phone E-mail Mike Jenson University Director (812) 855-3231 mjenson@iu.edu

Dan Derheimer Director – IU Bloomington (812) 855-3234 dderheim@iu.edu

Rebecca Spratt Director – IUPUI Indianapolis

(317) 274-2829 rbratt@iupui.edu

Kathryn Manteuffel Director – Regional Campuses (219) 981-4230 kmanteuf@iun.edu

IU Bloomington and Regional Campuses

Name Title Phone E-mail General Information (812) 855-6311 iuehs@indiana.edu

Laser Safety Officer Shawn Miya Laboratory Safety Specialist (812) 856-9968 smiya@iu.edu

Radiation Safety Greg Crouch Radiation Safety Officer (812) 855-3230 gcrouch@iu.edu

IUPUI and IUPU Columbus

General Information (317) 274-2005 ehs@iupui.edu

Laser Safety Officer K. Lee Stone Laboratory Safety Manager (317) 278-6150 leestone@iupui.edu

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APPENDIX C-1 – TABLE 1 (ANSI Z136.1)

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APPENDIX C-2 – TABLE 2 (ANSI Z136.1)

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APPENDIX C-3 – TABLE 3 (ANSI Z136.1)

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APPENDIX D-1 – LASER REGISTRATION FORM (LS-1)

Today’s Date:

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR INFORMATION

Name:

Department Name: Campus Address:

Phone Number: E-mail Address:

LASER IDENTIFICAITON

Type (lasing medium):

Manufacturer:

Model:

Serial number:

Laser Class (check one): ☐ 3B ☐ 4

Location:

OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS

Pulsed Continuous

Wavelength (nm): Wavelength (nm):

Average Power (W): Maximum Power (W):

Pulse Energy (J): Beam Diameter (mm):

Pulse Duration (msec): Beam Divergence (mrad):

PRF (Hz): Exposure Time (sec):

Beam Diameter (mm):

Beam Divergence (mrad):

Exposure Time (sec):

APPROVALS

I hereby certify that a hazard analysis and review of safe operating procedures have been completed and reviewed by the Laser Safety Officer.

Principal Investigator: Date:

Laser Safety Officer: Date:

Submit this form to: IUEHS Laser Safety Officer for your respective campus

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APPENDIX D-2 – TRAINING DCOUMENTATION FORM (LS-2)

EMPLOYEE INFORMATION

Name: Department:

E-mail Address: Lab Number:

Principal Investigator:

CLASS 3B/4 LASER SYSTEM TRAINING DOCUMENTATION

☐ Completed the online Laser Safety Training course provided by IUEHS.

Date:

☐ Provided with appropriate personal protective equipment. Date:

☐ Received specific training from the Principle Investigator on safely operating the laser system.

Date:

APPROVALS

I have read and understood the Laser Safety Program and have received additional instruction on the

specific procedures for safely conducting my work with lasers. I agree to observe these procedures

during the course of my work at Indiana University.

Laser User: Date:

I hereby confirm that this individual has completed the requirements for working with lasers at Indiana

University. I will provide adequate supervision and any additional training necessary to ensure and that all

laser safety procedures are observed during the course of his/her work in my laboratory.

Principal Investigator: Date: