Recommendations for reducing the risk for laser devices

Information contained in the instructions for safe operation of a laser device

1

No instructions for safe operation of a laser device provided by the manufacturer

Request the device manufacturer to provide instructions for safe operation

1M, 2M. 3B, 4

2

The instructions do not include information on how to avoid exposure to laser radiation.

Request the device manufacture to provide information on how to avoid exposure to laser radiation.

1M, 2M. 3B, 4

3

The instructions do not include a list of time and energy parameters of the radiation generated by the laser device (wavelength, power, energy, operating mode, etc.).

Request the device manufacturer to provide a list of time and energy parameters of the radiation generated by the laser device.

1M, 2M. 3B, 4

4

The instructions do not include legible reproductions of all warning labels that to be affixed to the device.

Request the device manufacturer to provide legible reproductions of all warning labels to be affixed to the device.

1M, 2M. 3B, 4

5

The instructions do not contain any information on the location of output apertures on the device housing.

Request the device manufacturer to provide information on the location of output apertures.

1M, 2M. 3B, 4

6

Instructions do not contain a list of adjustment and inspection procedures as well as procedures to be followed for operation and maintenance of the laser device.

Request the device manufacturer to provide the list of adjustment and inspection procedures as well as procedures to be followed for operation and maintenance of the laser device.

1M, 2M. 3B, 4

7

The instruction fails to state if it is necessary to use protective goggles.

Request the device manufacturer to provide information if it is necessary to use protective goggles.

3B, 4

8

The instruction fails to indicate the necessary parameters of protective filters for protective goggles or laser beam parameters (power/energy density, laser operation mode) to enable the correct selection of goggles.

Request the device manufacturer to provide the necessary parameters of protective filters for protective goggles or laser beam parameters (power/energy density, laser operation mode) to enable the correct selection of goggles as required by PN-EN 207 or PN-EN 208.

3B, 4

Engineering controls and personal protective equipment

9

The device is not fitted with a protective housing.

Use an appropriate laser guard in accordance with PN-EN 60825-4 or appropriate protective screens in accordance with PN-EN 12254. Do not operate the device until these actions are carried out.

1, 1M, 2, 2M, 3R, 3B, 4

10

The protective housing is not complete or is damaged.

Use an appropriate laser guard in accordance with PN-EN 60825-4 or appropriate protective screens in accordance with PN-EN 12254. Do not operate the device until these actions are carried out.

1, 1M, 2, 2M, 3R, 3B, 4

11

There is no safety lock on the protective housing (where applicable).

Install a safety lock on the protective housing. Do not operate the device until these actions are carried out.

1, 1M, 2, 2M, 3R

3B, 4

12

The safety lock on the protective housing does not function properly (where applicable).

Request service technicians to repair or replace the faulty safety lock of the laser device. Do not operate the device until these actions are carried out.

1, 1M, 2, 2M, 3R

3B, 4

13

There is no laser device remote control (where applicable).

Equip the device with a remote control system. Do not operate the device until these actions are carried out.

3R, 3B, 4

14

The remote control of the laser device does not work properly (where applicable).

Request service technicians to repair or replace the faulty remote control of the laser device. Do not operate the device until these actions are carried out.

3R, 3B, 4

15

The location of laser device controls makes it possible to be exposed to laser radiation during adjustment work (where applicable).

Apply protective measures (beam locks, protective guards, etc.) so as to avoid a possible exposure to laser radiation during adjustment work. Do not operate the device until these actions are carried out.

3R, 3B, 4

16

The device is not started with a key (or code).

Request service technicians to install a system for powering the laser device up with a key or code.

3B, 4

17

No (visual or audible) device indicating radiation being emitted by a laser device or capacitors being charged

On or near the laser device install a device indicating the emission of laser radiation: using light so that during emission a light of a particular colour is visible or sound with discernible sound characteristics.

3R (only for λ < 400 nm and λ> 700 nm) and 3B, 4 (regardless of the wavelength)

18

The device indicating radiation being emitted by a laser device does not work properly.

Repair the device indicating radiation being emitted by a laser device.

19

There is no beam stop or attenuator (for temporarily blocking the beam, regardless of the power on/off switch).

Request service technicians to install a beam stop for the laser device.

3B, 4

20

Beam position control poses a risk of operator exposure to laser radiation (where applicable).

Request service technicians to set correctly the laser beam position control. Do not operate the device until these actions are carried out.

3R, 3B, 4

21

Lack of additional guards / protective screens around the area of laser ​​radiation exposure.

Use an appropriate laser guards in accordance with PN-EN 60825-4 or appropriate protective screens in accordance with PN-EN 12254. Do not operate the device until these actions are carried out.

4

22

A laser guard is not properly labelled, as required by PN-EN 60825-4 (where applicable)

Apply appropriate information labels on the guard in accordance with PN-EN 60825-4

4

23

No additional engineering control measures in areas of potential hazard from laser radiation reflected light, which is confirmed by measurements of the reflected laser radiation at the work station.

Use additional control measures, such as: guards, interlocks, light curtains. Do not operate the device until these actions are carried out.

4

24

No goggles properly matched to the parameters of the laser radiation emitted.

Provide the work station (operators) with safety goggles properly selected to match to the parameters of the laser radiation emitted, as required by PN-EN 207 or PN-EN 208.

3B, 4

25

Protective goggles are not labelled in accordance with PN-EN 207 or PN-EN 208.

Label the goggles in accordance with PN-EN 207 or PN-EN 208.

3B, 4

26

Number of safety goggles does not correspond to the number of station operators.

Provide the appropriate number of safety goggles for the work station.

3B, 4

27

Safety goggles are not stored in properly designated locations, accessible to laser device operators.

Designate a place for storing safety goggles, accessible to laser device operators.

3B, 4

28

Protective goggles are damaged

Immediately replace the goggles with new ones.

3B, 4

29

Operators have not been informed about the necessity to use safety goggles when performing specified works exposing them to laser radiation.

Immediately inform operators about the necessity to use safety goggles.

3B, 4

Labels on the laser device

30

No labelling providing information on the laser class according to PN-EN 60825-1 or labelling is placed out of sight on the device.

Apply appropriate labelling in a visible place on the device in accordance with PN-EN 60825-1.

1, 1M

31

No labelling providing information on the laser class according to PN-EN 60825-1 or labelling is placed out of sight on the device.

Apply appropriate labelling in a visible place on the device in accordance with PN-EN 60825-1.

2, 2M, 3R, 3B, 4

32

There is no labelling indicating the laser type, wavelength, power / energy of radiation and mode of operation or labelling is placed out of sight on the device.

Apply appropriate labelling in a visible place on the device in accordance with PN-EN 60825-1.

1, 1M, 2, 2M,

3R, 3B, 4

33

No labelling warning about radiation emission or the labelling is placed out of sight near the exit of the laser beam from the device.

Apply appropriate labelling in a visible place on the device in accordance with PN-EN 60825-1.

1, 1M, 2, 2M

3R, 3B, 4

34

There is no service access label, which is required by PN-EN 60825-1 on the access panel (for service access) or the label is placed out of sight.

Apply appropriate labelling in a visible place on the device in accordance with PN-EN 60825-1.

1, 1M, 2, 2M, 3R, 3B, 4

35

No interlock override label with an additional line on the access panel label

“AND INTERLOCKS DEFEATED” on the device close to the opening created by the removal of the protective housing or in the place that is out of sight.

Apply appropriate labelling in a visible place on the device in accordance with PN-EN 60825-1.

1, 1M, 2, 2M, 3R, 3B, 4

36

There is no label warning against invisible laser radiation when emitted wavelength is outside the range of 400-700 nm.

“INVISIBLE LASER RADIATION” or labelling is placed in a place on the device, which is out of sight.

Apply appropriate labelling in a visible place on the device in accordance with PN-EN 60825-1.

 3R, 3B, 4

Labels in the vicinity of the laser device or on the door to the room

37

No label warning against the hazard of exposure of eyes/skin to laser radiation placed in the vicinity of the laser device or on the door to the room with the laser.

Place appropriate labels in a visible place near a laser device or on the door to the room with the laser.

3B, 4

General safety requirements for laser devices

38

A laser device is not equipped with any viewing optics (viewport or display screen) with emission below the AEL class 1M.

Equip the laser device with new viewing optics with emission below the AEL for Class 1M.

2, 2M, 3R, 3B, 4

39

There are elements near laser emission which may cause specular reflections.

If possible remove items causing specular reflections or provide other control measures (guards, screens, etc.).

3R

3B, 4

40

The use of laser fails to conform to the instructions provided by the manufacturer.

Take measures to ensure the device will be used in conformity with the manufacturer’s instructions and recommendations.

1, 1M, 2, 2M, 3R, 3B, 4

41

The use of laser fails to conform to the manufacturer’s instructions or access panels, guards, interlocks, etc. have been removed and the laser class has not been identified again.

Have the laser device tested by an accredited laboratory to determine the class of the laser device.

1, 1M, 2, 2M, 3R, 3B, 4

42

Safety requirements are not met with regard to electrical hazard.

Immediately take measures to mitigate electrical hazards so as to meet safety requirements.

4

43

Safety requirements are not met with respect to risk of fire or explosion (applicable mainly Class 4 lasers).

Immediately take measures to mitigate the fire risk (e.g. remove flammable materials from the area around the laser).

4

44

Safety requirements are not met with regard to emission of hazardous chemicals.

Take immediate measures to reduce emissions of hazardous chemicals (change the workpiece type, if possible, use local exhaust ventilation).

4

45

Device operators have not been trained in safe operation.

Immediately train operators in the safe operation of the device.

1M, 2M,

3R, 3B, 4

Assessment of the level of reflected laser radiation

46

No evaluation has been carried out of the level of reflected or scattered laser radiation during normal operation of the laser device (based on measurement or manufacturer’s data).

Have the laser device tested by an accredited laboratory to determine the level of reflected or scattered radiation or determine it based on manufacturer’s data.

3B, 4

47

Laser radiation MPE values have not been determined for laser device operators taking the potential operator exposure time into consideration.

Determine the appropriate MPE values in accordance with the Regulation of the Minister of Labour and Social Policy on TLV.

3B, 4

48

If the level of accessible radiation / exposure of the laser device determined on the basis on measurements or calculations in places of the laser device accessible to the operator:

·         is between 0.8 of the MPE value and the MPE value

·         exceeds the maximum permissible exposure (MPE) value

Provide engineering control measures to mitigate the risk to a low level (guards, protective screens, safety goggles, etc.).

3B, 4

49

The date of successive reflected radiation measurements based on the MPE multiplication factor was not specified (applies to cases when it is determined on the basis of measurements).

Specify the appropriate date of measurements pursuant to the Regulation of the Minister of Health on tests and measurement of harmful agents in the work environment.

3B, 4

50

Despite obtaining k> 1 multiplication factor immediate measures have not been taken to reduce the exposure level.

Immediately provide engineering control measures to reduce the exposure level (guards, protective screens, safety goggles, etc.).

3B, 4