the laser safety officer - rli.pdf

7/29/2019 The Laser Safety Officer - RLI.pdf

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1of9 Rockwell Laser Industries Inc., www.rli.com

The Laser Safety OfficerR. James Rockwell, Jr.

Rockwell Laser Industries

Introduction

The conditions under which the laser is used, the level of safety training of individuals

using the laser, and other environmental and personnel factors are important

considerations in determining the full extent of laser safety control measures and an

overall safety program.

These considerations require informed judgments to be made by trained personswho have been authorized by the facility management to conduct such duties.

The major responsibility for such judgments has been assigned to a person with

the requisite authority and responsibility, namely the Laser Safety Officer (LSO).

General

An individual shall be designated the Laser Safety Officer with the authority and

responsibility to monitor and enforce the control of laser hazards and to effect the

knowledgeable evaluation and control of laser hazards. Throughout the body of the

ANSI Z136.1 standard it is indicated that wherever duties or responsibilities of the LSO

are specified, it means that the LSO either performs the stated task or ensures that the

task is performed.

The key element in the overall laser safety program is the Laser Safety Officer. The

LSO is an individual designated by management who has the responsibility and

authority to manage the overall laser safety program. The Laser Safety Officer must

ensure that all employees who operate, maintain, or service laser products are properly

trained. The Laser Safety Officer is also responsible for establishing, monitoring, and

enforcing laser controls, as well as evaluating laser hazards.


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The following are a few key LSO program factors:

Depending on the extent and number of laser installations, the position of LSO

may or may not be a full time assignment.

In some instances, designation of an LSO may not be required; for example:

operation and maintenance of Class 1 and Class 2 lasers and laser systems

normally do not require the designation of an LSO. However, under some

circumstances, it may be necessary to designate an LSO. For example, if

service is performed on a laser system having an embedded Class 3a, Class

3b, or Class 4 laser or laser system.

In some instances, such as servicing embedded lasers, the designation of an

LSO may be the responsibility of the organization requiring access to theembedded laser or laser system, such as the service company or organization.

There shall be a designated LSO for all circumstances of operation,

maintenance, and service of a Class 3b or Class 4 laser or laser system, and

there should be a designated LSO for Class 3a lasers and laser systems.

Laser Safety OfficerSpecific Responsibilities

The ANSI Z136.1 standard indicates the following as key LSO responsibilities:

1. Classification. The Laser Safety Officer shall classify, or verify classifications of, lasers and

laser systems used under the LSO's jurisdiction.

2. HazardEvaluation. The Laser Safety Officer shall be responsible for hazard evaluation of

laser work areas, including the establishment of Nominal Hazard Zones (NHZ)

3. ControlMeasures. The Laser Safety Officer shall be responsible for assuring that the

prescribed control measures are in effect, recommending or approving substitute or alternate

control measures when the primary ones are not feasible or practical, and periodically

auditing the functionality of those control measures in use.

This shall include, but not be limited to, such actions as establishing an NHZ, approving

standard operating procedures (SOPs), avoiding unnecessary or duplicate controls,

selecting alternate controls, conducting periodic facility and equipment audits, and training.


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4. ProcedureApprovals. The Laser Safety Officer shall approve SOPs, alignment procedures,

and other procedures that may be part of the requirements for administrative and procedural

controls.

5. ProtectiveEquipment. The Laser Safety Officer shall recommend or approve protective

equipment i.e., eyewear, clothing, barriers, screens, etc., as may be required to assurepersonnel safety. The LSO shall assure that protective equipment is audited periodically to

ensure proper working order.

6. SignsandLabels. The Laser Safety Officer shall approve the wording on area signs and

equipment labels.

7. FacilityandEquipment. The Laser Safety Officer shall approve laser installation facilities

and laser equipment prior to use. This also applies to modification of existing facilities or

equipment.

8. SafetyFeaturesAudits. The Laser Safety Officer shall ensure that the safety features of thelaser installation facilities and laser equipment are audited periodically to assure proper

operation.

9. Training. The Laser Safety Officer shall assure that adequate safety education and training

are provided to laser area personnel.

10. MedicalSurveillance. The Laser Safety Officer shall determine the personnel categories for

medical surveillance.

Laser Safety Officer Qualifications

Who makes the "best" Laser Safety Officer? That question is being asked almost every

time someone "new" enters the laser field. The "best" LSO? Its like asking who makes

the best traffic cop, best mathematician, best teacher, best politician, best organizer,

etc. All of these qualities are important, you see.

Perhaps one can learn by sampling the background of some of the more experienced

LSOs in the business today. That list includes engineers of all specialties (e.g.,

electrical, metallurgical, etc.), biophysicists, surgical nurses, clinical engineers, industrialhygienists, radiation physicists, laser technicians, safety engineers, hospital

administrators, shop foremen, etc. The list goes on and on.

Is there a common thread that ties all of these seemingly unrelated specialties together?

What are the most important factors that make an individual "the best" as a Laser


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Safety Officer? From the broad-based list, it would certainly seem that educational

specialty or an academic degree is NOT the common thread. If not, what is?

Perhaps it is the simple fact that "The Boss" said, "Your it! You have just become the

LSO." This is probably closer to actual fact than all of the arguments regardingbackground or academic specialty. Most of those currently serving as an Laser Safety

Officers probably said, "I will do it" while most of the others begged off, claiming they

already had too much to do, anyway.

Is something that simple the common thread? It seems that the desire to do the job is

foremost no matter what the job or the background. There must be some reason that

"The Boss" asked that person, anyway. Perhaps it was their ability to understand all of

the technical jargon. But, remember that some are simply not at home with MPEs,NHZs, ODs, AELs and all of the other "laser safety alphabet soup" of the ANSI

Standards. Maybe the individual impressed "The Boss" with their ability to get things

done and to motivate people to do the things asked of them. Maybe the person

expressed sincere concerns about safety using lasers. In short, maybe the selection is

based on the fact that this individual had the intangible quality called leadership. In

management jargon, they showed the ability to manage people.

Qualifications

Is "the best" Laser Safety Officer simply an individual with a sincere concern about laser

safety, who said yes when nobody else would and happens to be a good "people

person"? Obviously there is a bit more to being an Laser Safety Officer, but these

qualities can carry the inventive LSO a long way. But thats not the whole story.

The singularly most important factor in having a successful Laser Safety Officer

is the level of authority extended to that person by the facility management. The

ANSI Z-136.1 standard is very specific in this regard. In that document, the Laser

Safety Officer is defined as: "One who has the authority to monitor and enforce

the control of laser hazards and effect the knowledgeable evaluation and control

of laser hazards." Note that it did not say, do the knowledgeable evaluation, but

rather effect the knowledgeable evaluation.


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In standards lingo, this means that the Laser Safety Officer need not be a technical

wizard. The LSO has been given license to seek the assistance of others who may

more completely understand the mathematical sophistication of MPE, NHZ and ODcalculations. The key factor is that the Laser Safety Officer needs the skills to implement

a laser safety control program using the results of such analytical efforts and be given

the authority to make the program work. A Laser Safety Officer without stated authority

is like a swimmer without water. Its hard to make a big splash! In fact, it's impossible!

What does this all mean to the new laser user? Who should be chosen as the Laser

Safety Officer? What are the keys to a successful laser safety program? Well, here are

a few suggestions:

1. First, establish a "laser safety" policy. This could be as simple as stating that the facility will

"adopt" the ANSI Z-136 standard. Management must make it abundantly clear that the LSO

has the authority to enforce the adopted policy.

2. The Laser Safety Officer can be a person with most any educational background.

Experience suggests, however, that an understanding of the uses of the laser is essential. In

industry, those with an industrial hygiene background seem ideally suited as regards

educational background. In medicine, a clinical engineer is often selected. Note that a chief

laser scientist or laser surgeon should not be appointed the LSO. That would be the same as

making a race driver the traffic cop.

3. Respect is a major factor in the success of the Laser Safety Officer to do the job. It is

essential to choose as the LSO an individual who will have the respect of those working with

lasers. None the less, the Laser Safety Officer should always keep in mind that authority is

given, but respect is earned.

4. The Laser Safety Officer is viewed by some, perhaps, as the "Photon Cop." Well, if this is

what it takes to save eyesight or prevent electrocutions, then it must be. The Laser Safety

Officer cannot be shy about enforcing policy.

5. A little knowledge, they say, is a dangerous thing. The Laser Safety Officer must be given

every opportunity for self-improvement. Attendance at laser safety short courses is essential.

Since the laser field changes at a very fast pace, refresher training and advanced level

courses are strongly recommended on at least a two or three year basis.


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6. Provide the "tools of the trade." Subscriptions to the major laser magazines, attendance to at

least one major laser meeting each year, membership in laser organizations, providing

computer based software for laser databases and/or computations, etc. All of these aid in

understanding and effecting the Laser Safety Officers tasks in the most efficient way.

7. Provide aids for internal educational programs. Videotapes, slide sets, books, training texts,etc. are all required for the Laser Safety Officer to effectively provide training.

8. Dont be penny wise and pound-foolish. It takes financial resources to affect a sound safety

program. Resources are needed for equipment, training, information, communication,

motivation and staffing. It shouldnt take much to compare the six-figure costs of only one

laser accident to the five figure costs of running a meaningful laser control program to realize

how to save money for the employer.

Who makes the "best" Laser Safety Officer? It should be an individual who has a stated

commitment to safety. The keystone to the Laser Safety Officers motivation should bethe desire to have all who work with lasers do so without injury. That can be almost

anyone, I would hope!

Laser Safety Officer Duties

The LSO duties include laser classification, evaluation ofMaximum Permissible

Exposure (MPE), Accessible Emission Limits (AEL) for specific laser classes, and

Nominal Hazard Zones (NHZ), inspection and audits, approval of the laser Standard

Operating Procedures (SOP), recommendation ofprotective equipment,

specification of area warning signs, and consultation services. Detailed Laser Safety

Officer duties are listed below in Table 1.

According to the ANSI standard For the Safe Use of Lasers (ANSI Z136.1), the

designation of a Laser Safety Officer is generally not required for operation of a Class 2

or Class 3a laser or laser system. Nor is a Laser Safety Officer usually required if

maintenance and service are limited to Class 1 and Class 2 laser systems that do not

contain enclosed lasers rated higher than Class 3a. If, however, service is performed on

a laser product with an enclosed Class 3b or Class 4 laser, it is necessary to designate

an LSO.

In many cases, the Laser Safety Officer may be either on the staff of a corporate

industrial hygiene or safety department or, sometimes, a laser engineer with safety


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responsibility. Depending upon the size of the organization, the number and types of

lasers, and the extent of laser activity, the LSO may be a full-time or a part-time duty. In

some very large facilities, it may be necessary for the Laser Safety Officer to appoint a

deputy LSO, who reports to the Laser Safety Officer on all laser safety matters. The

deputy LSO performs the duties of the Laser Safety Officer when that person is absent.

In some very large laser facilities, a laser safety committee may be designated with

members from each of the key organization sectors.

Other functions of the Laser Safety Officer are to consult with design and develop staff

for new manufacturing procedures and equipment. In this way, safety considerations

can be addressed in the initial phases of new process development. By involving the

Laser Safety Officer at the early design and development stages, safety requirements

such as training, special protective equipment, and special area design can bedetermined prior to the introduction of new equipment into the work place.

The Laser Safety Officer approves SOPs. The SOPs should be devised by those

responsible for the operation of the systems with the approval given by the LSO. It is

recommended that a written SOP be prepared for each laser system, and that

employees be required to sign a form stating that they have read and understand the

SOP. SOPs improve safety and eliminate uncertainty about specific procedures. SOPs

are especially valuable guides for new laser workers.

Managers and Supervisors

It is the responsibility of management to:

1. Appoint the Laser Safety Officer

2. Verify that all appropriate controls are applied

3. Provide training to all laser workers

4. Provide medical surveillance practices


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It is the duty of managers and supervisors to:

1. Maintain the names and date of all persons trained and also inform the Laser Safety Officer

of training completions and requirements.

2. Issue appropriate instructions and training materials on laser hazards and the control of the

hazards to all personnel working with lasers in their area.

3. Not permit the operation of lasers without adequate control of the hazards.

4. Work in conjunction with the Laser Safety Officer regarding the qualifications of laser users.

5. Report any known or suspected laser-related injury to the Laser Safety Officer.

6. Assist in obtaining medical attention for those involved in a laser accident

7. Approve laser system operation after consulting with the Laser Safety Officer.

8. Verify that meaningful SOPs have been prepared for the use of Class 3b and Class 4 lasers

(lower classes if deemed necessary by the Laser Safety Officer).

Resources

Information on Laser Safety Officer duties can be found in the following resources:

1. American National Standards Institute, American National Standard for the Safe Use ofLasers: ANSI Z-136.1 (2000), Laser Institute of America, Orlando, FL, 2000.

2. Robert J . Thomas, Benjamin A. Rockwell, Wesley J . Marshall, Robert C. Aldrich, Sheldon A.

Zimmerman and R. J ames Rockwell, J r., A procedure for laser hazard classification

under the Z136.1-2000 American National Standard for the Safe Use of Lasers, J . of

Laser Appl., 14, N. 1, 57-66, Feb., 2002.

3. R. J ames Rockwell, J r., J ames F. Smith and Wm. J . Ertle, Playing it Safe with Industrial

Lasers, Photonics Spectra, Vol 29, No. 4, pp:118-124, April, 1995

4. R. J ames Rockwell, J r., Laser Accidents: reviewing thirty years of incidents: What are

the concerns - old and new?, J ournal of Laser Applications, December, 1994

5. Rockwell, R. J ames, J r. and Moss, C.E., Optical Radiation Hazards of Laser Welding

Processes Part II: Carbon Dioxide Laser, The J ournal of The American Industrial Hygiene

Association, Vol. 50, No. 8, pp. 419-427, August, 1989.


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TABLE 1: DUTIES OF A LASER SAFETY OFFICER

LSO Duty Activity

Operational Laser

Characteristics

Laser operation

Laser definitions Review of laser applications

Laser Hazards Eye and skin hazards of direct and reflected beams

Laser exposure criteria (MPE, AEL)

Hazard assessment (OD, NHZ)

Non-beam hazards: electrical, fire, fumes, particles, etc.

Laser Safety

Standards

Specific company laser regulations

ANSI Z136.1

The Federal Laser Product Performance Standard

OSHA laser regulations

Applicable regional, state, and local regulations

Applicable international laser regulations

Laser Controls Reducing beam hazards

Types/selection of eye protection

Methods of electrical safety

Methods for fume removal

Methods to reduce fire hazards

SOP for laser use

Safety Methods

and Procedures

Beam alignment

Barriers and other laser controls

Beam measurements

Laser system controls

Laser area warning signs Entryway control options

Control of unauthorized personnel

Training requirements for laser workers

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