LSO 12: Administering the Laser Safety Program

Question 1

Why do we need to develop the program?

Answer 1

ANSI 136.1 : management must establish or have the program in place for the control of laser hazards
 employee or facility, safety training must be provided for all class 3B and 4 lasers

Question 2

ANSI is voluntary, so comprehensive program not required right?

Answer 2

Wrong, osha general duty clause, to provide safe workplace free of hazards, moral ethical responsibilities

Question 3

What are the parts of laser safety Program?

Answer 3

Designation of the LSO
Education of authorized personnel
Application of appropriate controls
Incident investigation
Medical exam and medical surveillance
Formation of LSC
Additional: current and complete inventory, written SOP and period program evaluation

Question 4

Who is the LSO?

Answer 4

knowledge for evaluating hazards, control of hazards and authority from management. monitor and enforce compliance with required standards and regulations

Question 5

What are duties of the LSO?

Answer 5

developing and implementing the safety program, laser classification and inventory,hazard evaluation, implementing control measures,procedures approval, protective equipment, signs and labels, facility & equipment, training, medical surveillance, records, audits, surveys and inspection, evaluations of accidents, approval of laser system operations

Question 6

Safety Program?

Answer 6

required to maintain policies and procedures for control of laser hazards.

Question 7

Role of LSO

Answer 7

review the laser safety place,establish and define how laser safety issues are managed, high level written the plan

policy realistic and review and update at least annually

Question 8

What are good features of LS policy

Answer 8

simple, act as guidance, reflect what is being done, be enforced, procedures to be followed in case accident happen, procedure approvals

Question 9

Procedures approvals?

Answer 9

develop a template that can be used widely for all class 3B and 4 lasers

Question 10

Medical surveillance of employees?

Answer 10

determine the categories of medical surveillance

following the adverse effect or suspected injury, the medical evaluation must be performed

Question 11

Type of personnel

Answer 11

Incidental personal and laser personnel

Question 12

Duties of LSO: Records retentions

Answer 12

necessary documents required by regulations are maintained. Not documented means it never happened

Question 13

Approval of Laser system of Operations?

Answer 13

LSO satisfy that the safety measures installed are satisfied and all the hazard are appropriately controlled

Question 14

Laser Safety Committee?

Answer 14

Z136.1 Appendix A composition and duties of LSC
establishing policies,evaluating and control of hazards, recommending appropriate laser safety training
Review/approval body

Question 15

LSO other personnel responsibilities

Answer 15

Laser Supervisor: appropriate instruction to personnel
their employee are only operating when proper controls are in place, provide the name to LSO, provide them with additional training, immediately performed accident response function

Laser users: don’t work unless authorized by supervisor, comply with the rules, report injury

other personnel: purchasing department

Question 16

Starting the laser safety program?

Answer 16

Management buy-in and funding
Designation of the LSO
Decide upon program structure: small vs large facilities
Laser Inventory: records,
Permitting process:submit the application, previous experience and training, decision made to authorize or not
Program evaluation: periodic evaluation