Controlling Laser Hazards

The use of lasers has become widespread in the world and can be seen in medical offices, technology companies, and other big business manufacturers. Lasers are used in corporate atmospheres to help create products and also used in the remedial world to assist in surgeries and other common medical practices. However, only qualified technicians and specialists should operate laser technology because of the common hazards that come with using lasers.

Eye injuries are common worries to those who work with lasers because even a small amount of laser light to a person can lead to permanent damage. Lasers can burn the retina of the eye and even the skin if not properly operated. Here are some ways for controlling laser hazards and what to do to avoid hurting oneself or a patient.

When experimenting with laser experiments, make sure to use an optical table so that all laser beams are traveling in the horizontal plane only and that the laser beams stop at the edges of the table, so as not to hurt anyone near the laser. Never put one's eyes at the level of the horizontal plane in case the reflected beams leave the optical table.
Watches, bracelets and other types of jewelry should not be allowed in any area where lasers are being used to prevent specular reflections. All non-optical objects near the optical plane should have a matte finish so that laser beams cannot reflect from its surface.
Arrangement of laser beams and optical components should be used with reduced beam power as much as possible.
Sufficient protective eye wear should always be worn by everyone in the room that the laser is being used, no matter how far away they are from the laser beam. Eye wear with appropriate filtering optics can protect the eyes from direct exposure and scattered or reflected laser light that can be hazardous to the human eye.
High-intensity laser beams should be guided through tubes to decrease the risk of fire or skin damage to anyone in the room.
Use interlocks to automatically shut down a laser if dangerous hazards arise, such as disconnected or broken fibers.
Employ a laser safety officer to be responsible for making sure all safety regulations are being followed by all workers.

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