Laser Administration Protocol - 404 - University of Hull

Laser Administration Protocol
Health & Safety Services
Revised January 2001
HEALTH & SAFETY
CODE OF PRACTICE
LASER ADMINISTRATION
PROTOCOL

1. No unauthorised lasers are to be brought onto
University premises.
2. No laser to be brought into the University or into
use without the knowledge and approval of the
Departmental Laser Supervisor (DLS).
3. No Laser Designated Area to be set up and
used without the knowledge and agreement of
the DLS, who must be satisfied that all
necessary safety features have been built into
the system and that all necessary risk
assessments have been carried out and
documented.
4. Departments wishing to use lasers for the first
time cannot do so without first nominating a
DLS, whose appointment will be confirmed in
writing by the Registrar and Secretary.
5. Users of lasers will be authorised to use
specific lasers or specific groups below class
3B only. Subsequent authorisation to use
lasers additional to these must be obtained and
notified separately on the appropriate forms.
6. Users will be given eye examination and tests
by the Occupational Health Physician if an
existing eye condition exists on commencement
of appointment, if accidental exposure takes
place or if specifically requested by the user.
7. Records of lasers and authorised users will be
kept by the Director of University Health and
Safety Services (DUHSS). Each DLS will
confirm in writing on an annual basis that the
records for his/her Department are correct.
8. Significant change of registered use or
modification of a laser must be notified to the
DLS, who will inform the DUHSS immediately
so that the records can be amended.
9. It is the responsibility of the DLS to inform the
DUHSS when laser users leave the University
or cease to use particular lasers.
10. Detailed 'Laser Safety Rules' and the CVCP
Notes of Guidance, Lasers, are available from
the ULSO, DLS, and DUHSS.
Laser Safety Rules
1. Introduction
The CVCP Notes of Guidance on Laser Safety
contain regulations to control the use of lasers
within Universities and by University staff outside
Universities. Implementation of the "desirable
Laser Administration Protocol
Health & Safety Services
Revised January 2001
requirements" indicated in that booklet (i.e. those
where the word 'should' is employed) and some
administrative procedures are left to the discretion
of the individual University. These rules give the
interpretation used here.
It should be remembered that, although the CVCP
Notes assign general areas of responsibility
to various individuals, all workers in a laboratory
have the duty to take reasonable care for the safety
of others as well as of themselves.
2. Authorised Laser Users
2.1 All persons other than undergraduates who
wish to work with lasers of class 3A or
above lasers must sign a laser user form to
the effect that they have read and
understood the CVCP Notes of Guidance
and these rules.
2.2 All who wish to work with lasers within a
Laser Designated Area (LDA) first require
authorisation. If an existing eye condition
exists, they will also be required to undergo
an eye test before commencement of work.
Note: Laser authorisation application forms
can be obtained from Departmental Laser
Supervisors (DLS). Applications for
authorisation should be made as soon as
possible. This should be done through the
DLS.
2.3 Authorised personnel who cease work with
lasers must inform the DLS who must
inform the LSO and the DUHSS who will
amend the University records.
Authorisation is withdrawn immediately.
2.4 Personnel are only authorised by the DLS
to use those lasers which are listed on their
authorisation form. Only the DLS can
authorise the use of additional lasers for
which an additional application form must
be completed.
2.5 Visitors to LDAs may be authorised without
further paperwork by an authorised member
of the academic staff who then assumes
responsibility for the visitor's safety while in
the area.
2.6 Authorised personnel must report any
accidental exposure to laser radiation likely
to be in excess of the maximum permitted
exposure level (see the CVCP Notes) to the
Head of Department (HOD) without delay.
The HOD must inform the DLS, LSO and
the DUHSS immediately, and a detailed
investigation of the accident or incident

must be carried out as quickly as possible.
An eye test will be carried out to determine
the extent of any injury incurred.
3. Registration Of Lasers
3.1 The staff member in charge of a laboratory
where any laser is to be used must obtain
registration of the laser before use through
the DLS who will then inform the DUHSS.
Note: Application forms for registration
can be obtained from the DLS. The
request for registration should be made as
soon as possible especially if there are
likely to be any special problems, e.g., if a
laser-designated area has to be set up,
special approval has to be obtained for a
laser to be used outside the laboratory.
(See para 5).
3.2 The purposes of registration are;
(i) to maintain a record of all lasers,
(ii) to ensure that safety procedures
appropriate to the class of laser and the
application for which the laser is registered
can be recommended before the laser is
put into use.
3.3 On registration the applicant is to be issued
with instructions on any special precautions
that are needed, an Approved Scheme of
Work, where this is considered necessary
(e.g. if the laser is to be used by
undergraduates) or desirable and the labels
which must be fixed to the laser.
3.4 A laser may have to be re-registered if
either (i) its operating parameters, location
or (ii) its applications are altered. The
intention to make any such alterations must
be reported to the DLS, who must ensure
authorised alterations are re-registered.
NB. The modification of any laser system
within the University makes the University a
"Manufacturer" in law.
3.5 Persons using laser pointers should register
them on the simple forms designated for the
purpose which are available form the DLS
or Safety Services.
4. Laser-Designated Area (LDAs)
4.1 All class 3B ** and class 4 lasers must be
operated within LDAs as required in the
CVCP Notes. Creation of LDAs for lasers
of lower classification is to be considered at
the time of registration, in accordance with
the CVCP Notes of Guidance.
4.2 All laser-designated areas are normally to
be equipped with fail-safe devices to ensure
that the laser is switched off or the beam is
stopped if any access door to the area is
opened. There are normally to be
illuminated warning signs sited at the
entrance to the LDAs which function when
the laser is being operated. Whatever
system is used must be approved by the
DLS and LSO before being brought into
use.
Note: Door interlock systems, warning
signs and notices are provided by the
University; the particular arrangement for
coupling the laser with the interlock is one
of the details of the laser installation
planned in advance by the DLS when
registering the laser.
4.3 Only authorised personnel are permitted to
be in an LDA when the laser is being
operated.
5. Special Use of Lasers
Use of lasers out of doors, in public places
or off University premises must not take
place without prior discussion with the LSO.
Special arrangements will have to be made
under these circumstances to comply with
our legal and insurance requirements.
6. Administration
6.1 The responsibility for ensuring that the
CVCP Notes of Guidance are implemented
has been assigned by the Council of the
University to the Radiation Hazards Sub-
Committee of the University Health and
Safety Committee.
6.2 The Laser Safety Officer (LSO) is
responsible for advising the University on all
safety matters attendant upon the use of
lasers and for carrying out such duties as
required by the Committee. He is
responsible for the training of staff and the
provision of appropriate measuring
equipment.
6.3 The names of the various safety officers
referred to in the CVCP Notes are
appended. The advice of the appropriate
officer must be sought immediately any
problem concerning safety or the provision
of safety equipment arises.
Notes of Guidance referred to are:-
The Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals
of the Universities of the United Kingdom
Safety in Universities: Notes of Guidance Part 2:1
Lasers: Revised 1992

Appendix
Laser Safety Personnel
University Laser Safety Officer (ULSO)
Professor P E Dyer, Physics
Departmental Laser Supervisors
Physical Sciences - Dr H V Snelling
Engineering: Prof. S K Haywood
Records of Registered Lasers and
Authorised Laser Users are kept by the
Director of University Health and Safety
Services.
Revised January 2001