The University of Texas at Austin Laser Safety Program

UTLaser3

Laser Safety Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)

(To be available on the EH&S Radiation Safety Webpage)

Department/Laboratory:Date:10/15/2007

Procedure #:Revision Number:

Author:PI Name

This procedure shall be read and signed annually by all persons who use lasers listed in the SOP.

This procedure shall be reviewed every two years by the Permittee/Laboratory LSS to ensure it reflects the most current conditions.

1.LASER SAFETY CONTACTS

Laboratory Laser Safety Supervisor (LSS)

Phone number(512) 471-XXXX

University Laser Safety Officer Scott Pennington

Phone number(512) 471-2042 (Office) 24 hour on call (512) 875-0911__

Maintenance/Repair

Phone number(512) 471-XXXX

Medical Emergencies1.911

2.Notify the Laboratory LSS and University LSO of all laser-related injuries and near misses as soon as possible.

2. Laser Description

The XXXXX uses one StockerYale Magnum II line projector, which has an 810nm 7w laser diode to illuminate the pavement for image acquisition. The fan angle of the projector is nearly 80o.

Model / S/N / date / Inventory
MAGII-501L-810-4000-90 / 300307123 / 3/30/2007 / 799862
MAGII-501L-810-7000-80 / 101007013 / 10/10/2007 / 799900
MAGII-501L-810-7000-80 / 101007016 / 10/10/2007 / 799901

3.LASER SAFETY PROGRAM

See the UT-Austin Laser Safety Program Manual for:

Responsibilities of the laser operator/user, Permittee, and Laser Safety Supervisor

Laser Permit Requirements

SOP, Training Requirements, and Interlocks

Eyewear Requirements, including annual eyewear inspections

Sign and Labeling Requirements

Non-radiation Hazards

Maintain a copy of the Texas Regulations for Control of Laser Radiation Hazards (§289.301).

Laser SOP Page 2

4.Hazards & Controls

Check if applicable / HAZARD / CONTROL(S)
 / High Voltage
 / Capacitors
 / Unenclosed Beam Access to Beam / Laser will be operated at vehicle speeds fast enough to limit exposure time to low hazard levels. When vehicle is not in motion and laser is operated, a temporary laser controlled area will be established.
 / Fumes/Vapors
 / Ultraviolet Radiation or Blue Light
 / Compressed Gases
 / Hazardous Chemicals/Waste
 / Housekeeping
 / Reflective Material in Beam Path
 / Fire
x / Laser at eye level of person sitting or standing / Proximity sensor, interlock switch, warning sign, warning light
x / Infrared Lasers / Same as above
x / Correct Eyewear

COMMENTS:

Laser SOP Page 3

Check if applicable / CONTROL / COMMENTS
 / Entryway (door) Interlocks or Controls
 / Laser Enclosure Interlocks
 / Laser Housing Interlocks
x / Panic Button Emergency Stop
 / Beam Stops / Infrared Laser must terminate in fire-resistant material and the absorber must be inspected at least quarterly[1]
x / Master Switch (operated by key or computer code) / Key for master control switch will be issued only to trained laser operators.
x / Laser Secured to Base




COMMENTS:

Laser SOP Page 4

5.Personal Protective Equipment

  1. Eyewear
Acquisition
date / Type / Wavelength
(nm) / Wavelength Attenuated (nm) / Optical Density (OD) / Remarks
(example)
Aug 99 / CO2 / 10,600 / 10,600 / At least 3.5 / Glendale-white frames
2005 / High transmission Diode / 810 / 810 / 5 / Glendale-purple frames

Identify each set of laser protective eyewear with a unique designation (name or number).

The following check shall be done annually. Discard unfit eyewear. See section 6.5.

Item / Comments / Date/Initial
Adequate pairs of eyewear for all needs.
Eyewear specific to wavelength
OD appropriate for full range of power; alignment to power ops
Fit snugly
Labeled for wavelength and OD
Free of damage excessive scratches

Laser SOP Page 5

What (item):And is available from (where)which must be worn (when):

6.Operating Procedures

  1. Initial preparation of lab environment for normal operation (key position, warning light on, interlock activated, identification of personnel, other)
  1. If in the lab environment, make sure nobody is in the 10.6 (35 feet) range of the enclosure and the people who have to be near must wear correct laser protective eyewear.
  1. Close the access to the lab or make sure the working area is under monitor.
  1. Target area preparation

N/A

  1. Operation procedures are as follows:

When the laser system is used inside the lab environment,

  1. Turn on the 12V power by turning the keylock switch on the control box to the ON position. The red warning lights on the laser system enclosure and the control box will be on.
  1. Turn on the rocker switch on the control box, which is connected to the interlock switch of the laser diode. If there is no object within the field of view (FOV) (6 feet) of the proximity sensors, the laser line will be projected out of the open slot of the enclosure.
  1. If there is an object in the six-foot FOVof the proximity sensors, the speakers in the enclosure or in the control box will start to send out a beeping sound. The operator should examine the situation and turn off the rocker switch or the keylock switch on the control box whenever perceiving a danger.
  1. If a subject or object comes into a two-foot range to a proximity sensor, the warning sound of the speaker and the LED light will become steady, the relay switch will be activated to shut off the laser line automatically. However, the operator must make sure the rocker switch is on the OFF position for a redundant protection.

When the laser system is used outsidefor regular pavement survey

  1. The driver, operator or other personnel in the survey vehicle need to have correct laser protective eyewear ready to wear.
  1. Do not turn on laser power when the vehicle does not move at least 5 mph.
  1. When the vehicle runs at 5 mph, turn on the 12V power by turning the keylock switch on the control box to the ON position. The red warning lights on the laser system enclosure and the control box will be on.
  1. Turn on the rocker switch on the control box, which is connected to the interlock switch of the laser diode. If there is no object in FOV of the proximity sensors, the laser line will be projected out of the open slot of the enclosure.
  1. If a subject or object comes into a six-foot range to a proximity sensor, itwill trigger the speaker in the enclosure or the control box to make a beeping sound, and make the LED light blink. The operator should turn off the rocker switch or the key switch on the control box immediately.
  1. If a subject or object comes into a two-foot range to a proximity sensor, the warning sound of the speaker and the LED light will become steady, the relay switch will be activated to shut off the laser line automatically. However, the operator must make sure the rocker switch is on the OFF position for a redundant protection.
  1. Shutdown procedures for this laser are as follows:
  1. Switch off the rocker switch on the control box.
  2. Turn off the key switch on the control box.

E.Special procedures (alignment, safety tests, interlock bypass, emergency, etc.)

When the laser system is used outside for services (calibration, exterior maintenance, etc.)

  1. The vehicle should park in a controlled space where there is no access to an unauthorized person. If such a controlled space is not available, an appropriate laser barrier such as a fabric drapery must be used to set a screen around the working area.
  1. Anyone who works in the controlled area must wear correct laser protective eyewear and avoid looking at the open slot of the laser system enclosure.
  1. Do not expose the skin to laser light path.
  1. For exterior maintenance, the system should be powered off.
  1. For calibration, the operator places a white reference (e.g., poster board) under the projector and camera, , and stays out of the proximity sensor’s range. The calibration can be done automatically by using the functions of the laser system software.
  1. Proceed in the same steps as operation in lab environment.

Note: optical alignment and other services on the components have to be done by the manufacturer’s trained personnel. The user should be not open the enclosure of the laser system.

Laser SOP Page 6

  1. Operator Review (General Laser Safety Training Certificate, System specific training by Laboratory LSO)

I have read this procedure and understand its contents.

Name (print)SignatureDate

[1] Required by 25TAC§289.301(s)(1)