1. Laser Safety Andras Kis Zettl group safety talk 11/16/2006

2. Laser Components Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation Associated hazards: 1.Laser Beam: eye injury, burns, skin cancer (UV), fire hazard 2.Active medium: toxic chemicals or gases (organic dyes, BeO in Ar lasers, HF, HeCd, HeHg, HeSe) 3.Excitation source: high voltage, water cooling

3. Human Eye - laser beam can be focused by cornea and the lens to a very tight spot on the retina 400-1400 nm 1400 nm Burns, cataracts Retinal damage

4. Eye Injury

5. Eye Injury From A Pulsed Laser

6. Skin Burns CO2 laser reflected from a metal surface

7. Types of laser eye exposure

8. Laser hazard classes Classification by wavelength and output power, according to their ability to produce damage ClassPowerRemarksTypical examples IVery low or beam completely enclosed Inherently safe, No possibility of exposure CD, DVD drives, laser printers… II1 mW Visible only Staring into the beam is hazardous Eye protected by aversion response Supermarket laser scanners, some pointers IIIa1-5 mWAversion may not be adequateLaser pointers IIIb5-500 mWDirect exposure is a hazardAr laser in Birge 123 CF microscope in B219 IV>500 mWExposure to direct beam and scattered light is eye and skin hazard Fire hazard Laser ablation setup in Birge 266

9. Labels on setups Class II Class IIIa with expanded beam Class IIIa with small beam Class IIIb Class IV

10. Safety measures Be informed Eyewear for classes IIIb, IV for everybody in the room Beam paths above >200 mW should be guided through tubes Highest risk during alignment, optical setup modification

11. IIIb and IV requirements EHS 280 Laser Safety Training EHS 281 Laser Safety Retraining (every 3 years) On the Job Training – provided by PI/supervisor & documented in the Activity Hazard Document Laser eye exams Links: UCB laser safety LBL laser safety