Practical Laser Safety · 2020-07-23 · EN-IEC 60825-1 → Safety of laser Products EN-208 →...

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Radiation hazards - eye damage - skin damage - fire

Non-Radiation hazards - electrical - toxic dyes - toxic gases

Majority of accidents

Risk of irriversible damage

EN-IEC 60825-1 → Safety of laser Products EN-208 → Protective Eyewear

Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE) Skin and Eyes (W/cm2 or J/cm2)

Valid for wavelength range: 180 nm – 1 mm

Wavelength (nm)

Mode of operation (CW or pulsed)

Power (Watts or Joules/pulse)

Beam size (mm)

Exposure time (s)

Required to determine MPE!

532 nm: 390 µW for 10 sec. 830 nm: 710 µW for 10 sec. 1064 nm: 1.95 mW for 10 sec. 1310 nm: 96 mW for 10 sec.

Pulse energy = 1mJ/Pulse

τ=1 s Ppeak = 1×10-3 W = 1mW τ=1 ns Ppeak = 1×106 W = 1MW τ=1 fs Ppeak = 1×1012 W = 1 TW

800 nm Iceberg

λ= 632 nm Pavg= 2 mW HeNe Laser

λ= 800 nm Pavg= 2 W Ti-Saph Laser

Class 1= MPE not exceeded

Class 1M = May be unsafe when optical

instruments are used

Class 2= Blink reflex prevents retinal damage

(visible wavelengths)

Class 2M = May be unsafe when optical

instruments are used

≤1 mW for CW

Class 3B & 3R = MPE is exceeded,

dangerous to eyes. Safety goggles recommended (3B) /compulsory (3R)

≤5 mW (3B) ≤500 mW (3R) for CW

Class 4 = (Scattered) radiation is dangerous

to eyes and skin. Wear goggles and use beam blocks. ≥500 mW

Proper L-class (not OD!)

Whole eye must be covered

Goggles must sustain an exposure of 10 seconds or 100 pulses

Wavelength range D = CW operation I,R = Pulsed operation M = Ultrashort pulsed operation L = protection Level

PhD student was aligning set up in lab

He used goggles

Alignment of an optical isolator

Suddenly he smelt something burning

Holes burnt on shelf plate

Melted spots on laser goggles

1064 nm

3 Watt CW

Beam diameter = 4 mm

~ 24 W/cm2 = 2,4×105 W/m2

L scale 5 for 1064 nm operation mode D should be used

L scale 4 was used......

However, back reflected power was found to be 200 mW .... Was he lucky?

Goggles L class = 4

Beam dia < Entrance dia pupil

Exposure on retina = 20μW

MPE Eye = 1.95 mW for > 10 sec

Be aware of laser characteristics

Wear suitable goggles when laser class >3

Turn laser sign on

Close door

Close curtains

Laser beam should not leave set up

Use screens on edges of tables

Use beam dumps for highest powers

Do not change other people’s set up

Do not wear shiny jewelry

Align at low powers

Do not block lasers with your hand, especially short pulse lasers

Warn supervisor if you see unsafe behaviour

Secure and transport victim in a sitting position to prevent further eye damage!

Go to first aid employee (BHV-er)

Seek medical attention

Medication can not reverse retinal damage but reduce damage due to inflammatory response

Inform supervisor

j.j.a.weda@vu.nl

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