Loughborough University Revised Laser Safety Policy

Transcription

1 Loughborough University Revised Laser Safety Policy John R Tyrer Department of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering or Some men will never ask for information, because it implies they do not know - Henry Cardinal Manning Both purchased on the high street Problems!!! Peoples misconceived perceptions of lasers lead to them carrying out poor risk assessments, due to an over emphasis on the beam and oversights of associated hazards.

2 Laser safety when people want to kill you!

3 Optical Arrangement 20μm monitor 24mm focal length Focussed at 100mm 20μm Forvea in eye Nd filter 7mm ccd camera frame store computer source 100mm cornea lens Pixel size & spacing (6μm) as forvea file

4 Comparison of a scientific laser and a pointer HeNe TEM 00 Pen laser pointer 1 The 1/e2 envelope is contained within a 6 pixel diameter (@ 6μm pixel spacing) ~36μm, approx 17% error compared with 30μm expected Adequate for scaling at this stage Label states class 3A, wavelength 633nm, >5mW 633nm, 0.7mW measured 28 retinal sites Elliptical beam, colimated Label states nm, <1mW, complies with 21 CFR pt &11, class 2 laser product 648nm, 4.7 mw measured 64 retinal sites 36μm 36μm 72μm The leafy surrounds of Loughborough

5 Student targets member of staff with laser pointer TEM 00 HeNe Image, 6 pixels wide 43mW Out side Student Union Firework display November 2015

6 Member of academic staff s office Dec 2015 Staff members PhD student burns a finger a month later

7 What guidance do we see how solution focussed is it? A review of laser safety books also shows that on average 5.6% of the content is related to associated hazards, which is small considering their potential severity of damage they can cause. HSE LASER INSPECTIONS What happens when the inspector comes to call Mark Bradley Principal Radiation Specialist, HSE Birmingham Conclusions of talk Lasers are just another hazard Don t over-egg the assessments Practical, suitable and sufficient Take control

8 Statutory Instruments - that means; prosecution by! The supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 Under schedule 2 part 1 Essential Health and Safety Requirements (EHSRs) sec laser equipment is described in detail, p31 The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 Requires protection against specified hazards, describes the measures to be other than the provision of PPE or admin controls, measures have to reduce likelihood of hazard occurring and minimising the hazards effects HSC Approved Code of Practice and Guidance (ACOP) however does mention Lasers in Control and control systems Control of Artificial Optical Radiation at Work Regulations 2010 Measurement/calculation of exposures (competent services/persons & suitable intervals). Risks eliminated or reduced to a minimum. Control risks at source. Alternative working methods or equipment. Engineering controls. Maintenance and design. Restricting duration and level of exposure. PPE Laser equipment as defined in Supply of Machinery Regs Laser radiation Where laser equipment is used, the following should be taken into account: laser equipment on machinery must be designed and constructed in such a way as to prevent any accidental radiation, laser equipment on machinery must be protected in such a way that effective radiation, radiation produced by reflection or diffusion and secondary radiation do not damage health, optical equipment for the observation or adjustment of laser equipment on machinery must be such that no health risk is created by laser radiation. Laser systems are not treated as an exceptional case in general safety legislation it does not generate any unknown or unreasonable hazards From designer or user perspective the system will be inherently safe when operated

9 Addition to section 1 of University Policy Laser systems are not treated as an exceptional case in general safety legislation, they do not generate any unknown or unreasonable hazards. From the experiment/equipment designers and users point of view the equipment must be inherently safe when operated. This means that the maximum normal laser classification of equipment/system containing lasers will be 2M. Further addition The essential health and safety requirements (EHSRs) have to be identified for the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 and compliance with the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 must be confirmed. Anyone; designing, supplying, purchasing or using must be familiar with these requirements. The regulations stipulate that the design and construction is such that it can be used, adjusted & maintained throughout ALL phases of its life without personal risk to anyone and without the need for additional personal protective equipment.

10 Further addition Equipment/experiments which are designed, built or used in the University should include safety components. Safety should be primarily ensured through good design and hazards eliminated or controlled at source. In all cases the hierarchy of control should be applied; - Inherent safe design, fixed enclosing guards, interlocked guards, other guards and protection appliances, administrative controls; the provision of information/instructions, supervision & training. 2. Procedures/guidance 2.1 Responsibilities of the Dean of the School The Dean is responsible for ensuring the implementation of this policy, that staff receive relevant training and that the implementation of this policy is monitored by appropriate means. The Dean is also responsible for ensuring that the Laser Safety Officer has sufficient time and resources to discharge their role.

11 Smart risk assessment; Ontology Development & Training Development Scope was set to ensure a broad but reasonable representation of the complete domain. Hazard Categories: Laser Beam Hazard Substance Hazard Electrical Hazard Environmental Hazard Mechanical Hazard The idea is to generate informed risk assessment generation which dramatically reduces training burden Next we go to a more modular training scheme An Informatics Approach to Laser Safety Core Relationships An Informatics Approach to Laser Safety

12 Example of Form Creation Examples

13 To cabinet or not to cabinet Why not get equipment supplier to provide class 1 or 2 kit!!! Think about the Lab ergonomics Commercial ones look better & with roller doors Different designs of cabinet

14 Cabinets with full cctv and recording Why bother? We do not have what we need!! An ability for students to individually undertake a risk assessment and do so in an informed manner this isn t hard Existing resources are not complete A systematic approach which highlights any over sights or issues not considered An integrated admin function to provide records of such assessment which integrates student, supervisor, LSO etc Reduce demand on ineffective training, cost etc Integrated control systems with access control tied to card cotrol The new Laser Safety Policy provide an opportunity to springboard new streamlined approach 28 John Tyrer

15 Thank you for listening John R Tyrer University Laser Safety Adviser Room T122 Wolfson School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering Loughborough University LE11 4TU UK j.r.tyrer@lboro.ac.uk Tel: