LSO 15: Laser Accidents: History and Analysis

Question 1

What is a laser accident?

Answer 1

An unforeseen and unplanned event or circumstance. There is lack of intention or necessity

Question 2

Why study laser accidents?

Answer 2

Analyzing accident, the root cause of it and contribution factor. That will help to prevent similar accidents from occurring.

Question 3

Where to look for laser injury data?

Answer 3

Track the laser data: FDA, DOE and Rockwell laser industries

Question 4

Between 1960 and 2002, how many laser accidents?

Answer 4

1500 laser accidents

Question 5

what are different types of laser accidents?

Answer 5

71% accident: eye, 11.9% : skin

Question 6

Who is involved in laser accidents? Majority of people

Answer 6

Technicians, scientists, and students. Patients with medical lasers where number 1 death

Question 7

What is the cost of laser accidents?

Answer 7

Direct costs and indirect costs,

Question 8

What is the cause of laser accidents?

Answer 8

lack of wearing eyewear, wearing damaged or inadequate eyewear

Question 9

What are laser skin accidents?

Answer 9

Co2 lasers, skin injuries are relatively minor

Question 10

What are non-beam accidents?

Answer 10

Fire, electric shock

Question 11

Which type of individual accounts for the largest number of laser associated deaths?

Answer 11

patients

Question 12

What are common contributing factors for laser accident?

Answer 12

unanticipated eye exposure during alignment
available laser eye protection not being used
equipment malfunction, improper high voltage handling methods, no protection provided for ancillary hazards, incorrect eyewear selection, inhalation of LGAC, viewing of laser-generated plasma, improper use of equipment

Question 13

What are laser alignment accident?

Answer 13

THe process of manipulating and adjusting laser optics in the beam path is referred to as laser alignment. Many laser incidents occur during alignment

Question 14

What are hazards of laser alignment?

Answer 14

Reflections off of tools, optical mounts, lenses, mirrors, body parts or clothing entering path, locating beams that leave the beam path
wearing high OD eyewear during alignment operations, directing beam upwards, unidentified stary beams ( especially with invisible wavelength lasers)

Question 15

How do we prevent alignment accident from occurring?

Answer 15

Before Alignment: remove reflective jewelry, non-reflecting tools, limit the room access. Make sure that room is posted appropriately. There is an alignment SOP available

Question 16

How do we prevent alignment accident from occurring?

Answer 16

During Alignment: identify the stray beams, prohibit intentional Intra-beam viewing, lower power, laser eyewear, keep beam paths below eye level, keep beam enclosed.

Question 17

How to prevent accidents during alignment?

Answer 17

secure optics, optical mounts, beam blocks to the table. Use tools to identify stray and invisible beams. Restore normal laser controls when done.

Question 18

Why do people don’t want to wear eyewear?

Answer 18

they don’t fit well, they fog up, I can’t see the beam when they are on, they are too expensive, I have been working with this laser for 15 years and know where the beam is on

Question 19

What to do to make them eyewear and spread message that its very important?

Answer 19

Lenses have correct filter, OD as well as acceptable VLT.

Work on peer pressure,

Question 20

What are the things to consider for proper laser eyewear?

Answer 20

Appropriate wavelength and OD, in good condition, fits user’s face well

Question 21

Note to prevent laser accident?

Answer 21

Always use laser safe indo tracheal tube. When using the airways,

Question 22

What to do in case of laser accident?

Answer 22

Keep the person calm and avoid panic or shock
Call to report injury to medical and arrange transport if needed
Notify the LSO
Notify supervisor
Shut down laser system and suspend use until accident investigation complete
Ensure the victim is evaluated by a laser

Question 23

Where to send the employee after laser eye injury?

Answer 23

Determine how they are going to be evaluated?make appropriate arrangements

Question 24

Which of the following is/are not an appropriate response to a suspected laser accident?

Answer 24

Resume use of the laser, advise the employee to go to the doctor ( need to take him/her to doctor)

Question 25

When to do the accident investigation?

Answer 25

The investigation should occur as soon as is practical after the reporting of the accident

Question 26

What are the steps for an accident investigation?

Answer 26

Visit the site
- take photos and detailed notes ( get an idea of the environment )
Documents laser settings
PPE available? Appropriate?
Required controls in place
Evaluate the work procedures
Identify any potential equipment issues

Interviews
Interview witnesses ASAP
Make every possible effort to personally interview witnesses, do it in alone
Consider interviewing at the scene of the accident

Get statements from all who were there when the accident
Explanation of work done . Look at the work procedures being followed and compare to SOPs
Determine the root cause
Recommend corrective action
written report
Provide the report to management and laser safety committee

Question 27

What is the root cause?

Answer 27

The most obvious cause is not the root cause

Question 28

What do include in the laser incident written report?

Answer 28

Remain objective, state the facts, never write the report as if you saw the accident take place, assign the cause, not blame, never claim an employee lied, if referring to an individuals actions, do not use their name in the recommendations

Question 29

who should investigate the laser accident?

Answer 29

The LSO should be the lead contact for any laser related accident
Immediate supervisor would be the good one

Question 30

What is a “ near miss”

Answer 30

” An unplanned event that didn’t result in injury, illness or damage but had the potential to do so”
A near miss provides you with an opportunity correct a safety issue before an incident actually occurs

Vigorously investigate near misses