Laser Use

All members of the University wishing to work with Class 3B lasers or above - with the exception of undergraduates participating in supervised classwork only - must be registered as laser workers. The register of such workers is compiled by the Radiation Protection Office, and it is the duty of the Laser Protection Supervisor (LPS) to ensure that the Laser Safety Officer (LSO) is informed immediately any additions to, or deletions from, the register are required. All laser workers will be required to sign a declaration that they have read the Local Rules. Registration must always be completed before work with lasers is commenced. All staff wishing to use class 3B lasers and above must also have an eye test prior to work.

Registration Process Flow Chart

All lasers and laser systems must conform both to the requirements of the notes of guidance and of BS EN 60825:1994.

An up to date register of all lasers in the University is kept in the Radiation Protection Office. If you purchase a new Laser of > Class 3 then you must inform URPO using the form LER.

LASER SAFETY MANAGEMENT FILE

Any school using class 3B and 4 lasers should have a dedicated file for each laser they operate. This file should contain information such as details of the equipment, what the laser is used for, risk assessments, local rules, training and emergency procedures. A template is provided for you to use. If you need assistance with completion of this then conatct URPO. There is also a template set of Written Procedures or Local Rules available that can be updated to suit your laser. Using these on their own is not sufficient!

There are alternative examples of the written procedures / local rules available in the AURPO guidance Document.

AURPO DOCUMENT

AURPO Guidance Note No.7: Guidance on the Safe Use of Lasers in Education and Research - This replaces the CVCP Document

LASER TRAINING AVAILABLE

URPO now provides laser training for staff and researchers using lasers. The course lasts for about a half day and covers classification, effects, risk assessment, calculations and general safety precautions. Please register for a course using the training pages and registration form.

Laser Classification

Classes	Potential hazard / meaning	Example for maximum output power in the visible range *)
Class 1	Eye safe – for longer (intentional) exposure and for exposure when using loupes or telescopes too.	40 µW for blue spectral region, 400 µW for red spectral region
	Enclosed laser with high power. Due to the entire protective housing any emission is prevented.	No radiation emission, not even for any single fault
Class 1M	Eye safe for the un-aided eye, for longer (intentional) exposure also; possible eye injury for exposures when using loupes or telescopes.	like class 1, but different measurement regulation
Class 2	Visible laser radiation, eye safe for short exposure, even when using loupes or telescopes.	1 mW (measurement aperture for loupes or telescopes)
Class 2M	Visible laser radiation, eye safe for the un-aided eye for short exposure, possible eye injury for exposures when using loupes or telescopes.	like class 2, but different measurement regulation
Class 3R	Practically no eye hazard for short and unintentional exposure, but dangerous for improper use by untrained personal.	5 mW
Class 3B	Hazardous for eyes by direct beam and specular reflections. Chance for slight skin injury for beam powers near the upper limit.	500 mW
Class 4	Hazardous for eyes by direct and diffuse reflected beam, hazardous for the skin; fire hazard.	More than 500 mW

HPA Laser Safety Site

This is a very useful site. The Laser Safety Matters Newsletter is full of useful information.