This Laser Safety Primer course is provided as a supplement to an organization's Laser Safety Program.
This course is designed to compliment information delivered to the user by the individual responsible for laser safety training, such as a Laser Safety Officer (LSO). This course was produced to meet all basic laser safety training requirements and present laser safety from the laser user's point of view. After completing this course the user will be ready to learn the specific information they will need to know about their laser and job situation.
This course is designed primarily for class 1 laser operators and incidental personnel in laser areas. It includes all the training topics required by the American National Standard for Safe Use of Lasers.
This module acquaints the user with the basic laser terminology, how a laser works, the characteristics of laser light, and common industrial lasers.
Module 2 discusses both skin and eye injuries with a focus on the most serious injury of the two, eye injuries. Exploration of the parts of the eye and type of injuries that can occur to the various parts are presented in a clear discussion based on the type of laser and severity of injury.
Non-beam hazards associated with industrial lasers include electrical hazards from the laser power supply, smoke and fumes from laser processes, process radiation, and mechanical hazards from parts handlers, conveyors, or robots. In module 3 an overview of these hazards are addressed.
All lasers are classified according to the level of laser radiation that is accessible during normal operation. In module 4 an explanation of the seven laser hazard classes are presented and the standards in which lasers can be classified, the American National Standard for Safe Use of Lasers, the IEC 60825 International Standard, and the Federal Laser Product Performance Standard.
Under both U. S. federal law and the international laser safety standard there are certain safety requirements for Class 3b and Class 4 lasers and any Class 1 laser system with an embedded Class 3b or Class 4 laser. Module 5 discusses the engineering control methods for meeting the safety requirements of the standards.
In laser hazard evaluation there are several factors to consider. Module 6 examines the main factors and explains hazard evaluation terms such as Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE), Nominal Hazard Zone (NHZ), and Optical Density (OD).
Module 7 looks at the three types of control measures in controlling laser hazards from class 3b and class 4 open beam lasers. The discussion includes enclosures, barriers, beam blocks, controlled access, signs, and laser control areas.
