Role

Responsibility

Activity Lead

1. Must protect staff, other workers, the public, and the environment.

• Implement the institution's accident response plan, including notification of the LSO, immediately after an accident or suspected exposure resulting from a laser operation.
• Assist the employee involved in a laser accident in obtaining appropriate medical attention.
• Ensure that access-door interlock devices are functioning properly where applicable.
• Ensure that all visitors receive a site/experimental hazard orientation as part of any laser-use area tour when lasers are in use.
• Require, make available, and verify the use of personal protective equipment.

2. Must integrate environment, safety, and health (ES&H) into all work activities.

• Prepares a Work Planning and Control (WPC) Activity for a laser operation and ensures that the provisions of the activity are properly implemented and diligently followed by the laser users.
• Ensures that laser operation is permitted only after the LSO has evaluated and approved the adequate control measures.
• Ensures that all laser users have read and accepted the WPC Activity.
• Ensures that all laser users receive adequate and appropriate laser safety training.
• Develops, provides, and documents on-the-job training (OJT) for personnel in all procedures and techniques required for the safe use of specific lasers and optical systems in their laboratories.
• Ensures that the laser baseline eye examinations (EHS0288) are completed, as outlined in the medical surveillance section of this chapter.
• Ensures the laser inventory is accurate in both the Laser Management System (LMS) and in the WPC Activity.

3. Must actively communicate ES&H and Integrated Safety Management issues.

• Notifies the LSO of any laser-related accidents or suspected exposures.
• Ensures the LSO is notified of proposed laser acquisitions or changes to the Laser Controlled Area configuration that affect safety.
  
  

Laser Users

Laser Safety Officer (LSO)

1. Oversees and maintains the Berkeley Lab Laser Safety Program.

• Establishes and maintains adequate policies and procedures for the control of laser hazards that comply with applicable regulations.
• Monitors and enforces compliance with required standards and regulations.
• Resolves conflicts between ANSI Z136.1 and regulations in other standards or guidance documents regarding lasers.
• Monitors the Laser Inventory.
• Maintains laser safety records.
• Assists regulatory agency inspectors in their review of the Laser Safety Program or investigation of an incident, and ensures that corrective action is taken, where required.
• Suspends, restricts, or terminates the operation of lasers or laser systems if laser hazard controls are deemed inadequate.
• Works with Health Services to develop and maintain the Medical Surveillance Program.
• Develops a plan to respond to and investigate incidents of actual or suspected laser beam exposure.

2. Integrates ES&H into all work activities.

• Evaluates the hazards of laser work, including establishment of a nominal hazard zone.
• Evaluates and approves all Class 3B and 4 lasers and laser systems installations, operations, and hazard-mitigating control measures, including alignment procedures and adequate consideration of safety from non-beam hazards.
• Develops and reviews substitute or alternate control measures when the primary ones are infeasible or impractical, as well as avoids unnecessary or duplicate controls.
• Performs and documents a laser-safety assessment of all Class 3B or Class 4 lasers used in the WPC Activity. The assessment is documented using the Laser Operations Inspection Form or a similar process.
• Classifies lasers, verifies laser classifications, and re-classifies lasers and laser systems after modification, based on the maximum output power or radiant energy available for the intended use.
• Provides calculations of laser eye hazard parameters (e.g., maximum permissible exposure and optical density) that will ensure eye protection. Advises on appropriate laser eye protection, such as full protection or alignment eyewear where applicable.
• Recommends or approves protective equipment, such as clothing, barriers, and screens, that may be required to ensure personnel safety.
• Considers alternative control measures for the hearing and visually impaired when needed.
• Ensures laser-safety training is provided for Class 3B and Class 4 laser users through class lectures, online training, or other methods.
• Assists in identifying non-beam hazards.
• Provides appropriately worded signs and labels.

3. The LSO may delegate the duties listed above to a Deputy LSO or another responsible person.