Standard Operating Procedure
One of the most important control measures is the written standard operating
procedure (SOP). The key to an effective SOP is the participation of all individuals
(including the LSO) that will operate, maintain, monitor, and/or service the equipment.
A good starting point for an SOP would be the instructions for safe operation
suggested by the manufacturer; however these may not always be appropriate for
a specific application due to special use conditions.
An SOP is considered as an administrative/procedural control and is required
for all Class IV lasers and laser systems. An SOP is recommended for Class IIIB
lasers, especially those CW lasers operating above 200 mW in an open configuration.
