Starting work with lasers
1. New facilities and equipment
If you are planning any of the following, you must inform the University Radiation Protection Officer (RPO) beforehand, so that appropriate laser safety advice can be provided at the early stages:
- Planning a new laser facility
- The purchase of new class 3B or 4 laser equipment
- A significant change to the work carried out with existing Class 3B or 4 lasers
- Work with lasers at another institution
The RPO can be contacted at HSRadiation@warwick.ac.uk.
It must be ensured that all laser equipment brought onto University premises complies with the requirements of the British Standard BS EN 60825-.1: 2014.
2. Complete a laser risk assessment
For work with Class 3B and 4 lasers, or lower Class lasers that contain Class 3B or 4 lasers that may be accessible under certain conditions (e.g. servicing), you must complete a laser risk assessment using the template AOR002.
More guidance on laser risk assessments can be found here.
Once a risk assessment has been completed, you will need to submit your risk assessment and supporting documentation to HSRadiation@warwick.ac.uk.
There is now a requirement for some laser work involving Class 3B and Class 4 lasers, which is identified as presenting a significant hazard, to be approved by the Ionising Radiation and Non Ionising Radiation (IRNIR) Committee.
Until you receive approval via the University RPO, you will not be authorised to start work.
Work with lower Class lasers - As with any work at the University, the first step when working with any laser is to carry out a risk assessment. Laser Classes of Class 3R and below pose a much lower risk than Classes 3B and 4, however it may be possible to exceed the ‘safe limits’ with a Class 3R laser. Lower classes of laser can also cause dazzle and vision disturbances and so a risk assessment must be carried out before work commences.
3. Ensure that your laser is registered
Check that the class 3B or class 4 laser that you will be using is present on the list of registered lasersLink opens in a new window. If it is not, please use the laser registration form to provide details of the laser. Minor amendments to the submitted details about lasers can also be made using the minor amendment form.
4. Ensure the space is listed as High Hazard on the Hazard Management System
All spaces used for lasers must be registered on the Quemis Hazard Management SystemLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window. Class 3B and Class 4 lasers would warrant the space to be classified as 'High Hazard'. Both the system and the NoticeboardLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window on the door to the space should indicate a 'High Laser Hazard' and should contain brief details as to what type of laser is in use and the controls in place, including access restrictions where required. Check that the space is already registered as a high laser hazard and that the noticeboard is valid for your proposed work activity. If either the Quemis Hazard Management System or Noticeboard need to be changed to high hazard, then the space will need approval. The University Laser Safety Officer should be consulted in the first instance. Email HSRadiation@warwick.ac.uk for further advice.
5. Implement control measures
Ensure appropriate control measures have been implemented in accordance with the hierarchy of control measures, with priority given to enclosing the beam and interlocking any access panels (engineering controls). Where control measures further down the hierarchy are required, this must be justified in the risk assessment.
Guidance on control measures is given here and in Sections 6.3 and 6.4 of the Code of Practice.
The University aims, so far as is reasonably practicable, to enclose hazardous lasers so that the laser beams are not accessible. The University is committed to adhering to the hierarchy of controls measures as required by the Control of Artificial Optical Radiation at Work Regulations 2010
6. Complete a Safe System of Work (SSoW)
If required by the risk assessment, a SSoW should be completed using the template AOR004. For work with Class 3B and 4 lasers, a SSoW will always be required.
7. Ensure users (and others) have undertaken appropriate training
All users of class 3B or 4 lasers, and others that may be affected by the use of these lasers, must have undertaken appropriate training. Click the link below for information on what training is required:
Laser safety training requirements
8. Register as a laser user
All users of lasers in classes 3B and 4 must be registered with the University RPO. The laser user registration formLink opens in a new window must be filled in and submitted.
9. Ensure that the Emergency Procedure Card is in place in the laser area
For class 3B and 4 lasers the emergency procedure cardLink opens in a new window must be completed and displayed in the area in which the laser is situated. This should be referenced in the risk assessment and included in the submission. In the case of a laser incident, it must be reported by following this link.
10. Use of PPE as a control measure
Personal protective equipment, often in the form of laser protective eyewear, should be the last resort when determining control measures. However, there are occasions when the only practical way of performing a particular procedure, will involve use of the correct type of laser protective eyewear. Use of open beams must be justified. Click here for information on the selection of laser protective eyewear.