LSO 10: Laser Control Methods

Question 1

What are Lasers Control Measures?

Answer 1

measures designed to reduce the possibility of exposure to eye and skin to hazardous level of laser radiation and other hazards associated with laser operation and maintenance

Question 2

What are laser hazards?

Answer 2

Beam hazards and Non-beam hazards

Question 3

What is the hierarchy of Laser Controls?

Answer 3

Elimination, substitution, Engineering controls, administrative controls, personal protective equipment

Question 4

What is Engineering controls?

Answer 4

Built in / manufactured controls designed to seperate the people from exposure
Beam enclosures, interlocks: enclosure & entryway
Emission indicators, Key control, beam stop/attenuator

Question 5

What is beam enclosures?

Answer 5

contain the initial and stray beams.
minimize open beam paths,
enclosure material conditions: glass and polycarbonate may be used when opaque

Nobody should be allowed inside enclosure when laser is on

Question 6

What is interlocks?

Answer 6

design to prevent the laser exposure if someone is trying to walk in or open the laser. It deactivate the laser operation.
Procedural control should be used when inerlocks are not feasible

Question 7

What is emission indicator?

Answer 7

indicator such that laser is in operation and emitting laser beams. eg LED light or buzz or beeping sound

Question 8

What is key control?

Answer 8

Requirement from CDRH, must have key control to have physical access to laser

Question 9

What are beam stops or attenuators?

Answer 9

Terminate the lasers in a safe manner.

Question 10

What are administrative controls?

Answer 10

Called as local rules, are less preferable than engineering controls, it requires the people to do something

Question 11

What are the steps of administrative controls?

Answer 11

SOP, education and training, authorized personnel, alignment procedures, designation of areas, spectator limitations, service personnel and house keeping

Question 12

What are standard operating procedures?

Answer 12

must address all hazards present in the laser environment and how they are controlled.
Lasers users must review the SOP, and some way to document it

Question 13

What are laser education and training?

Answer 13

Use training: how individual are operating the lasers, on job training
Safety training:
Incidental employee
Document all the training

Question 14

What are signal word in the laser signage?

Answer 14

Danger, caution, notice,,,,, pertinent sign information : precautionary instructions,laser information and class of laser

Question 15

What to do when spectator is in laser area?

Answer 15

must be approved, trained and controls should be in place

Question 16

PPE for laser cannot be used for?

Answer 16

Never used in isolation, combined with administrative control to be effective: policies and training programs

Question 17

Protective eye must be :

Answer 17

must be able to withstand the direct or diffusely scattered beam for a period of time usually 10 seconds

Question 18

What is the requirements in ANSI for use of protective eyewear?

Answer 18

should be for class 3 lasers
shall  be for class 4 lasers

Question 19

What are the things to consider for choosing laser protective eyewear?

Answer 19

VLT,
need for side shield protection,radiant exposure or irradiance, time taken for filter safety changes to occur, need for prescription glass, conform and fit,degradation of media filter, strength of the material, capability of the front surface to produce specular reflections, requirements for anti-fogging designs or coating

Question 20

What does laser eyewear inspection should include?

Answer 20

evaluate for filter for pitting,cracking,crazing and discoloration, frame for mechanical intrigty , for light leaks and coating damage

Eyewear should be evaluated by laser users before use

Question 21

What features should a laser barriers or curtains need to have?

Answer 21

should be able to withstand the scattered and diffuse beam, should be labelled
cannot support combustion, and release the toxic substance

Question 22

How are OD and transmission of laser beam related?

Answer 22

the OD of 1, reduce the transmission by the factor 10