LASER SAFETY

Question 1

What does ANSI stand for? Who publishes the ANSI LASER Standards?

Answer 1

American National Standards Institute

LIA=Laser Institute of America

Question 2

Which ANSI standard applies for the Safe Use of Lasers in Health Care?

Answer 2

ANSI Z136.3

Question 3

Whose responsibility is it to know the State and Local requirements for safe use of health care laser systems?

Answer 3

1) LASER SAFETY OFFICER

2) LASER OPERATOR

Question 4

What is the term for the max accessible level of laser radiation permitted within a particular laser class

Answer 4

AEL=Accessible Emission Limit

Question 5

Class of most dental surgical lasers, if emit > .5 Watts Avg Radiant Power

Answer 5

Class 4 Hazardous to eye or skin from

1) direct beam
2) Reflective Surface

Question 6

Class of medium powered lasers (Visible or Invisible regions)-potential eye hazard

Answer 6

3B Potential eye hazard

1) direct beam
2) specular (“mirror-like”) conditions

Question 7

Class of laser system that is potentially hazardous to eyes if the eye is appropriately focused and stable

Answer 7

3R Potential eye hazard (if the eye is appropriately focused and stable)

1) direct beam
2) specular (“mirror-like”) conditions

Question 8

What is the difference in Class 1 and Class 4 lasers?

Answer 8

Class 1 = safe for direct beam viewing under most conditions
Class 2 = not considered an eye hazard unless viewed with collecting optics
Class 4 = requires the most strict controls

Question 9

The value of exposure to laser energy above which a risk of hazardous effects or adverse biologic changes in the eye or skin may occur…

Answer 9

MPE = Maximum Permissible Exposure

Question 10

A value that defines the attenuation property of a filter and is equal to the logarithm to the base ten of the reciprocal of the transmittance at a particular wavelength

Answer 10

OD = OPTICAL DENSITY “measure of TRANSMITTANCE through an optical medium”

Question 11

The space within which the MPE is being exceeded…all persons must wear laser protection within this zone…

Answer 11

NHZ = NOMINAL HAZARD ZONE

Question 12

The distance from the emission port of the laser, with which the MPE is being exceeded…must wear laser device specific protective eyewear within this zone…

Answer 12

NOHD = NOMINAL OCULAR HAZARD ZONE

Question 13

LSO (Laser Safety Officer) reponsibilities

Answer 13

1) P/Ps written for Class 3B and Class 4 Lasers
2) Retraining programs at intervals at least q 5 yrs
3) LASER Safety items maintained
4) Maintain written operating/maintenance/calibration procedures from Manufacturer
5) Monitor laser maintenance from trained technicians
6) Maintain records

Question 14

What is a LASER SAFETY OFFICER?

Answer 14

indiv designated to be

1) responsible for a laser or system of lasers
2) prep and enforce of safety plan (P/Ps)

Question 15

LSO P/Ps (Policies and Procedures)

Answer 15

1) Education of team members
2) Maintenance procedures
3) Serial number of laser, model, date of laser purchase
4) Inspections of equipment-Laser protective eyewear

Question 16

How often should LSO do equip safety audits?

Answer 16

at least once per year

Question 17

What labeling is required on LPE (Laser Protective Eyewear)?

Answer 17

1) OPTICAL DENSITY

2) WAVELENGTH

Question 18

Is LPE designed for looking directly at laser beam?

Answer 18

NO

Question 19

What part of the eye is mostly at risk at the 400 nm-1400 nm wavelength?

Answer 19

RETINA

CO2 Laser- its the Cornea, Lens and Aqueous Humor (>1400 nm wavelength)

Question 20

SIGNS OF EYE EXPOSURE (Laser damage)

Answer 20

HA/Burning/Floaters/Extreme Watering/Gritty Sand/Popping Noise/no eye pain

Question 21

Only fatalities from lasers are due to what?

Answer 21

Electrocution - careful when maint/repair/calibration when accessing high voltage components

Question 22

Combustible Hazards

Answer 22

1) Alcohol based products (ie alcohol wipes)
2) Oxygen (must use scavenging with N2O)
3) Endotracheal tubes must be protected

Question 23

LGAC - what does Laser Generated Airborne Contaminants consist of?

Answer 23

1) poss viable Bacteria, Viruses, cellular debris
2) Noxious Fumes
(surgical masks do not provide protection from plume contaminants)

Question 24

What is combustible hazards training?

Answer 24

annual competency on the operation of all fire extinguishers in the laser use area

Question 25

What should be documented for Laser use?

Answer 25

1) fiber size/spot size 2) tip shape and size
3) Emission Mode (CW or Pulse)
4) Energy/power settings
5) time of exposure 6) eye protection worn

Question 26

Longer WLs are highly absorbed by H2O - more damage to what part of eye?

Answer 26

CORNEA (outer surface)

1) Er,Cr, YSGG 2) Er: YAG 3) CO2

Question 27

Shorter WLs not absorbed well by H2O, target pigmented tissues in eye, deeper penetration, damage what parts of the eye?

Answer 27

Lens-IRIS (pigmented) and Retina (deeper in eye) 1) Diode 2) Nd:YAG 3) HeNe 4) Argon (composite curing lights)

Question 28

What laser WLs cause damage to Aqueous Humor (due to high H2O content)?

Answer 28

1) Er,Cr, YSGG 2) Er: YAG

Question 29

LASER INFECTION CONTROL consists of the following:

• *Steam Sterilization only**
• *Fiber Optic tip considered a “sharps”

Answer 29

1) Biohazards - coagulum on end of fiber, ie fibroma
2) Plume Hazards-use surgical mask-filter < .1 micron
3) Proper surgical wear 4) Decontamination of Field
5) Disposal of Laser Supplies