Laser Safety Training. Laser Accidents and Emergencies

Transcription

1 Laser Safety Training Laser Accidents and Emergencies 1

2 Laser Accidents Emergency preparedness Accident investigations Accident reporting system 2

3 Root Causes of Accidents Lack of leadership (management failure) Overconfidence (if it never happened before, it will not happen now) Fear to work with lasers Miscommunication More concern about job to be done than job to be done right Inadequate training 3

4 Direct Causes of Accidents Human failure we make mistakes and should be prepared (multi-layered defenses) e.g. : not wearing goggles, not following rules and procedures Equipment failure Criminal intentions Errare humanum est. Perseverare diabolicum. To err is human. To repeat error is of the Devil (Seneca) 4

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6 WHO HAS PRIMARY RESPONSIBLITY FOR LASER SAFETY ANY TIME A CLASS 3B or 4 LASER IS OPERATED? The person operating the laser always has the primary responsibility for all hazards associated with laser use. Primary consideration should be given to engineering controls. Enclosure of the laser equipment or beam path is the preferred method. Laser-Professionals.com

7 Identification of higher risk scenarios: Open beam during operation Large number of optical components, long time for alignment Several operators using the same laser system or device. A proper shift change procedure must be in place Several lasers used in the same working area Laser system repair, testing, building prototypes - safety features are not in place Safety goggles used as the only protection (this should be the last line of defense) 7

8 Most common causes of laser accidents 1. Unanticipated exposure during alignment 2. Misaligned optics and upwardly directed beams 3. Available/appropriate eye protection not used 4. Equipment malfunction 5. Improper methods of handling high voltage 6. Intentional exposure of unprotected personnel 7. Operators unfamiliar with laser equipment 8. Lack of protection from associated hazards 8

9 Types of Accidents Laser class: 4>3B>>3R Beam scenarios Eye exposure; temporary or permanent vision loss Skin exposure: burns or photochemical effects Non-beam scenarios Shock/electrocution Exposure to chemical agents Ignition of flammable/combustibles 9

10 Types of Accidents Eye exposure - 73 % Permanent eye injury - 68% Temporary impairment % Unknown or no-harm exposure % 59% occurred in lab/university environment 32% occurred during alignment Skin Exposure - 14 % Holes through fingers 3 rd degree burns Permanent injury hearing loss Fire - 7%, electrical shock - 4 % (5 deaths), other 2% A total of around 1500 recorded from 1960 to 2002 probably only 10% of accidents are reported 10

11 An accident happened what do you do? Determine the direct causes (e.g. goggles not worn) and root causes of the accident (by asking why!) Prepare an accident report explaining the consequences on health and safety of the individual What can you do to prevent the repeating of the accident How do we learn? Lessons learned Corrective actions: e.g. program changes, training, etc. 11

12 Case study #1 wrong OD The representative of a laser manufacturer sent the user an extra pair of laser protective eyewear. The problem was that the pair was not for the wavelength produced by the laser The eyewear was correctly marked with wavelength and OD but the laser worker didn t check During work he received a reflection that passed through the eyewear and caused an eye injury 12

13 Case study #2 - Particle in vacuum experiment 2 Q- switched 1064 nm YAG lasers No laser goggles worn by student or by the PI (eyes shut!!!) No approved SOP for the experiment PI stopped the ablation laser and looked in the chamber to see the particles, then he asked the student to do the same. She suffered a laser retinal burn 13

14 Laser Accidents - Case study #3 Student left alone in the lab with laser on Student removes laser goggles to see the image on oscilloscope Student changes the sample with laser on Consequences: Loss of vision No access to the lab Cannot finish his degree 14

15 Case study #4 Equipment failure After connecting the kit & laser it was observed that the red beam was not visible at the laser tip The laser worker elected to proceed anyways When the laser control switch was depressed, no laser energy was emitted from the laser tip Flames appeared on the desk where the laser fiber was sitting No one was injured Analysis of the returned product pointed to a broken laser fiber probably caused by mishandling 15

16 Case study #5 Repair Personnel A new laser is installed by the technician sent by the manufacturer The laser had an alignment laser of low power and a class 4 laser The technician was aligning the laser surrounded by the people from the company By mistake he open the class 4 laser when aligning the system with a piece of paper The paper was immediately set in flames. The technician dropped the paper and ran out of the building 16

17 Case study #6 Accident at U of T A graduate student with a few years experience in laser work When trying to insert an optical component not wearing goggles, the component flips from his hand and a stray beam hits his eye Immediate pain developed but fortunately after a few days he could see with that eye (the beam didn t hit the macula) The student blamed the professor for not insisting in wearing goggles at all times 17

18 Laser Accidents Group Discussions What laser associated hazards in your workplace can you think of? Name a few How can they be minimized? Are there any changes that you would make to your current laser set-up to make it safer? Name a few 18

19 First response Keep the person as calm as possible Shut down the laser but do not change the settings In case of eye or skin injury get immediate assistance (Dial 80 from any Ryerson internal phone, blue pull station, or ) Notify LSO at ext 4212 Notify your supervisor and get them to complete the Ryerson Incident Report form Available on the IRM website: 19

20 First response (fire hazard) Familiarize yourself with the location of fire exits and fire extinguisher in your area Report all fires, no matter how small Attempt to extinguish the fire only if you can do it safely with only one fire extinguisher and have been trained to do so (extinguisher must be ABC type) If unsuccessful, leave the room, close the door, pull the nearest fire alarm (they are located at any exit) Evacuate the building Follow the same reporting/notification steps as for injury 20

21 PI / Supervisor must complete and sign the Accident/Incident Report : This web page also provides more detailed information on the steps that need to be taken by both the injured person and their supervisor 21

22 Reportable accidents/incidents: result in personal injury; or have the potential to result in significant personal injury or property damage; and occur to any person on the Ryerson premises; or occur to a Ryerson employee during the course of his/her work either on or off Ryerson premises 22

23 A critical injury includes an accident that: Places life in jeopardy Makes someone unconscious Results in a substantial loss of blood Causes an arm or leg to break Causes the amputation of a leg, arm or foot Causes burns to a major portion of the body Causes the loss of sight in an eye All accidents resulting in a critical injury must be reported immediately to Security and Emergency Services using the "80" line and to the Department of Integrated Risk Management (IRM) at 7096/7086. Security and Emergency Services will safeguard the site until all investigations are carried out. 23