Title:

Laser Safety

Publication date:

8/22/2024

Effective date:

6/26/2020

BRIEF

Policy Summary

The Berkeley Lab Laser Safety Program is designed to provide protection to personnel from exposure to Class 3B and 4 laser radiation. This is accomplished by:

  • Properly classifying lasers.
  • Evaluating the laser hazard and implementing appropriate engineered and administrative controls.
  • Recommending laser eyewear.
  • Providing laser user training.

Who Should Read This Policy

Berkeley Lab employees, affiliates, visitors, and subcontractors who:

  • Intend to use commercially available lasers or laser systems at Berkeley Lab
  • Design, build, or modify lasers or laser systems at Berkeley Lab
  • Perform service or open-beam alignment on Class 3B or Class 4 lasers embedded in Class 1 products

To Read the Full Policy, Go To:

The POLICY tab on this wiki page

To Read the ES&H Program Details, Go To:

ES&H Manual, Chapter 16

Contact Information

Laser Safety Officer

Radiation Protection Group

Environment, Health and Safety Division


Title:

Laser Safety

Publication date:

8/22/2024

Effective date:

6/26/2020

POLICY

A. Purpose

The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) Laser Safety Program is designed to provide protection to personnel from exposure to Class 3B and 4 laser radiation. This is accomplished by:

  • Properly classifying lasers.
  • Evaluating the laser hazard and implementing appropriate engineered and administrative controls.
  • Recommending laser eyewear.
  • Providing laser user training.

B. Persons Affected

Berkeley Lab employees, affiliates, visitors, and subcontractors who:

  • Will purchase or bring a laser device for use at Berkeley Lab.
  • Intend to use Class 3B or Class 4 lasers or laser systems.
  • Perform service or open-beam alignment on Class 1 products containing a Class 3B or Class 4 laser.

C. Exceptions

None

D. Policy Statement

  1. Persons using or planning to use laser devices should review Work Process A, Laser Safety Process and Laser Safety Flowchart, and Work Process B, General Laser Requirements, of the Berkeley Lab Health and Safety Manual (ES&H Manual), Chapter 16, Laser Safety.
  2. If a laser will be purchased, the Berkeley Lab Laser Safety Officer (LSO) must review the purchase, installation, and use (see Work Process C, Procurement Requirements).
  3. Class 1, 2, 3A, 3R, 1M, or 2M lasers may be used as intended when conditions in Work Process F, Use of Class 1, 1M, 2, 2M, and 3R Lasers or Laser Systems, are satisfied.
  4. Users of Class 3B and 4 lasers must pass medical surveillance requirements (see Work Process D, Medical Exam Requirements).
  5. Users of Class 3B and 4 lasers must pass training requirements (see Work Process E, Training Requirements).
  6. A Work Planning and Control (WPC) Activity must cover installation and use of Class 3B and 4 lasers, and the Activity must be approved by the LSO (see Work Process G, Use of Class 3B and Class 4 Lasers and Laser Systems).
  7. Control measures must be implemented for Class 3B and 4 (see Work Process G, Use of Class 3B and Class 4 Lasers and Laser Systems):
    • Access controls.
    • Beam controls.
    • Signs and postings.
    • Laser eyewear.
    • User authorization.
  8. Any near miss, exposure, or injury incidents must be reported and investigated (see Work Process H.3, Suspected Laser Injury).

E. Roles and Responsibilities

Managers, supervisors, and employees have the responsibility to adhere to the provisions of this policy.

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

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

  • Conduct their work activities safely.
  • Know how to respond in case of an emergency.
  • Are responsible for stopping unsafe work activities (see the Stop Work Policy in the Berkeley Lab Requirements and Policies Manual).
  • Report immediately any suspected laser accidents, injuries, or eye exposures to the Activity Lead, Health Services, and the Laser Safety Officer (LSO).
  • Refer any questions or concerns to the LSO or the Laser Safety Committee.


2. Must integrate ES&H into all work activities.

  • Must not energize or work with a laser/laser system unless authorized through WPC.
  • Must read, understand, accept, and follow all controls in the WPC Activity.
  • Complete appropriate training (such as EHS302) before operating any laser/laser system unsupervised.
  • Receive appropriate OJT prior to unsupervised laser use.
  • Receive a baseline eye examination as a part of the medical surveillance (EHS0288), when applicable.
  • Complete refresher training when applicable.

3. Must actively communicate ES&H and Integrated Safety Management issues.
  • Promptly report any malfunctions and problems that may have an impact on safety.

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.

F. Definitions/Acronyms

Definitions can be found here (Section 4)

Acronym

Term

LSO

Laser Safety Officer

OJT

On-the-job training

WPC

Work Planning and Control

G. Recordkeeping Requirements

  • WPC Activity
  • Eye exam
  • Training records
  • Laser inventory
  • Laser control evaluation

H. Implementing Documents

Document number

ES&H Manual reference

Title

Type

07.07.018.001

Chapter 16

Chapter 16, Laser Safety

Program

07.07.018.002

Ch. 16, Work Process A

Laser Use Work Process and Flowchart

Process

07.07.018.003

Ch. 16, Work Process B

General Laser Safety Program Requirements

Process

07.07.018.004

Ch. 16, Work Process C

Procurement Requirements

Process

07.07.018.005

Ch. 16, Work Process D

Medical Exam Requirements

Process

07.07.018.006

Ch. 16, Work Process E

Training Requirements

Process

07.07.018.007

Ch. 16, Work Process F

Use of Class 1, 1M, 2, 2M, and 3R Lasers or Laser Systems

Process

07.07.018.008

Ch. 16, Work Process G

Use of Class 3B and Class 4 Lasers and Laser Systems

Process

07.07.018.009

Ch. 16, Work Process H

Special Topics:

  1. Laser Use Requirements for Berkeley Lab Off-Site Staff
  2. Berkeley Lab Employees Working on the UC Berkeley Campus
  3. Suspected Laser Injury

Process

07.07.018.010

Ch. 16, Work Process I

Berkeley Lab Response to a Laser Injury

Process

I. Other References

  • American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z136.1, 2022 American National Standard for Safe Use of Lasers
  • ANSI Z136.2, 2012 American National Standard for the Safe Use of Optical Fiber Communication Systems Utilizing Laser Diode and LED Sources
  • ANSI Z136.3, 2018 (or later revision), American National Standard for the Safe Use of Lasers in Health Care Facilities
  • ANSI Z136.4, 2021 (or current revision), Recommended Practice for Laser Safety Measurements for Hazard Evaluation
  • ANSI Z136.5, 2020 (or current revision), American National Standard for the Safe Use of Lasers in Educational Institutions
  • ANSI Z136.6, 2015 (or current revision), American National Standard for the Safe Use of Lasers Outdoors
  • ANSI Z136.7, 2020 (or current revision), American National Standard for Testing and Labeling of Laser Protective Equipment
  • ANSI Z136.8, 2021, American National Standard for Safe Use of Lasers in Research, Development and Testing

J. Contact Information

Laser Safety Officer

Radiation Protection Group

EHS Division

K. Revision History

Date

Revision

By whom

Revision Description

Section(s) affected

Change Type

1/2/2012

1

K. Barat

Rewrite for wiki

All

Minor

4/1/2014

1.1

G. Toncheva

Editorial changes

All

Minor

4/15/2018

1.2

G. Toncheva

Editorial changes: removed the AHD and replaced with WPC. Updated the roles and responsibilities.

All

Minor

6/26/20201.3G. TonchevaReference update to Cal/OSHA to reflect 10 CFR 851 varianceD, Source DocumentsMinor
8/22/20241.4G. TonchevaPeriodic review: editorial changes, definitions removed and redirected to EH&S Chapter 16AllEditorial 

DOCUMENT INFORMATION

Title:

Laser Safety

Document number

07.07.018.000

Revision number

1.4

Publication date:

8/22/2024

Effective date:

6/26/2020

Next review date:

8/21/2028

Policy Area:

Industrial Hygiene and Safety

RPM Section (home)

ESH

RPM Section (cross-reference)

none

Functional Division

EHS

Prior reference information (optional)

ES&H Manual, Chapter 16

Source Requirements Documents

  • CCR T8 §1801, §3382(e), §8617
  • 10 CFR 851.23(a)(11), Safety and Health Standards
  • American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z136.1, 2014, American National Standard for Safe Use of Lasers

Implementing Documents

Document number

ES&H Manual Reference

Title

Type

07.07.018.001

Chapter 16

Chapter 16, Laser Safety

Program

07.07.018.002

Ch. 16, Work Process A

Laser Use Work Process and Flowchart

Process

07.07.018.003

Ch. 16, Work Process B

General Laser Safety Program Requirements

Process

07.07.018.004

Ch. 16, Work Process C

Procurement Requirements

Process

07.07.018.005

Ch. 16, Work Process D

Medical Exam Requirements

Process

07.07.018.006

Ch. 16, Work Process E

Training Requirements

Process

07.07.018.007

Ch. 16, Work Process F

Use of Class 1, 1M, 2, 2M, and 3R Lasers or Laser Systems

Process

07.07.018.008

Ch. 16, Work Process G

Use of Class 3B and Class 4 Lasers and Laser Systems

Process

07.07.018.009

Ch. 16, Work Process H

Special Topics:

  1. Laser Use Requirements for Berkeley Lab Off-Site Staff
  2. Berkeley Lab Employees Working on the UC Berkeley Campus
  3. Suspected Laser Injury

Process

07.07.018.010

Ch. 16, Work Process I

Berkeley Lab Response to a Laser Injury

Process

Other References

  • American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z136.1, 2022 American National Standard for Safe Use of Lasers
  • ANSI Z136.2, 2012 American National Standard for the Safe Use of Optical Fiber Communication Systems Utilizing Laser Diode and LED Sources
  • ANSI Z136.3, 2018 (or later revision), American National Standard for the Safe Use of Lasers in Health Care Facilities
  • ANSI Z136.4, 2021 (or current revision), Recommended Practice for Laser Safety Measurements for Hazard Evaluation
  • ANSI Z136.5, 2020 (or current revision), American National Standard for the Safe Use of Lasers in Educational Institutions
  • ANSI Z136.6, 2015 (or current revision), American National Standard for the Safe Use of Lasers Outdoors
  • ANSI Z136.7, 2020 (or current revision), American National Standard for Testing and Labeling of Laser Protective Equipment
  • ANSI Z136.8, 2021, American National Standard for Safe Use of Lasers in Research, Development and Testing


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Title:

Laser Safety

Document number

07.07.018.000

Revision number

1.4

Publication date:

8/22/2024

Effective date:

6/26/2020

Next review date:

8/21/2028

Policy Area:

Industrial Hygiene and Safety

RPM Section (home)

ESH

RPM Section (cross-reference)

none

Functional Division

EHS

Author name/contact info

G. Toncheva



Revision 0 publication date

3/11/2011

Retirement date

n/a

Prior reference information (optional)

PUB-3000 Chapter 16



Inputs from more than one Functional Area?

No

List additional Functional Areas & contacts




Inputs from more than one Policy Area?

No

List additional Policy Areas & contacts




30-day notification needed?

No

30-day start date

n/a

30-day end date

n/a



LDAP protected?

No



Need TABL reminders?

No

Frequency

n/a

Brief reminder text:

n/a



Approval Sheet for this revision received (date) [Note: author is responsible]



Keyword search words, phrases:

  • Text, text, text

New terms that need to be added to Glossary/Acronym list:

  • (list items not found and context (Policy Area name) – full definition would be included in Policy)

Implementing Documents restricted to department/functional use

(optional – these will be used for tracing between requirements and associated documents)

Document number

Title





Side bars:

Side bar 1 location (cite by Policy Section # - for example: Section 4.E.2)

Sidebar 1 text:

Sidebar 2 location

Sidebar 2 text:

Sidebar 3 location

Sidebar 3 text: