Laser Safety Guide

Control Measures

Administrative and Procedural Controls

• Standard Operating Procedures:
  
  One of the more important of the so-called administrative and procedural controls is the written Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). The ANSI Z-136.1 standard requires an SOP for a Class IV laser and recommends SOP's for Class IIIB lasers.
  
  The key to an effective SOP is the involvement of those individuals that operate, maintain and service the equipment in the preparation along with guidance from the LSO. Most laser equipment is provided with instructions for safe operation by the manufacturer, however sometimes these are not well suited to a specific application due to special use conditions.
  
  
• Alignment Procedures:
  
  One of the highest rate of laser eye accidents occurs during alignment tasks. Such procedures must be done with extreme caution. A written SOP is recommended for all recurring alignment tasks.
  
  
• Limitations on Spectators:
  
  Persons unnecessary to the laser operation should be kept away. For those who do enter the laser area, appropriate eye protection and instruction is recommended.
  
  
• Protective Equipment:
  
  Protective equipment for laser safety generally means eye protection in the form of goggles or spectacles, clothing and barriers and other devices designed for laser protection.
  
  Laser protective eyewear includes special prescription eyewear using high optical density filter materials or reflective coatings (or a combination of both) to reduce the potential ocular exposure below MPE limits. Some applications, such as use of high power excimer lasers operating in the ultraviolet, may also dictate the use of a skin cover if chronic (repeated) exposures are anticipated at exposure levels at or near the MPE limits for skin. In general, it is recommended that other controls be employed rather than reliance specifically on the use of protective eyewear. This argument is predicated on the fact that so many accidents have occurred when eyewear was available but not worn. There are many reasons cited for this, but the most common is that laser protective eyewear is often dark, uncomfortable to wear and limits vision.