laser radiation. Occupational Safety and Health

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH
Free library / Occupational Safety and Health

laser radiation. Occupational Safety and Health

Occupational Safety and Health

Occupational Safety and Health / Legislative basis for labor protection

Currently, in a variety of industries and for a variety of purposes (in medicine and for entertainment events), they are increasingly used lasers - devices with a coherent, almost non-scattering beam of radiation.

Depending on the type of design and intended use of lasers and laser systems, workers may be exposed to the following: dangerous and harmful factors:

actual laser radiation (direct, reflected and scattered);
accompanying ultraviolet, visible and infrared radiation from pump sources, plasma plume and target materials;
toxic gases and vapors from pumped laser systems, refrigerants, etc.;
products of interaction of laser radiation with processed materials;
increased temperature of the surfaces of the laser product;
danger of explosion in laser pumping systems.
high voltage in control circuits and power supplies;
electromagnetic radiation of industrial frequency and radio frequency range;
X-ray radiation from gas-discharge tubes and other elements operating at an anode voltage of more than 5 kV;
noise;
vibration.

When operating and developing lasers, it is also necessary to take into account the possibility of explosions and fires when laser radiation hits flammable materials.

The biological effects of laser radiation on the body are determined by the mechanisms of interaction of radiation with tissues (thermal, photochemical, shock-acoustic, etc.) and depend on the radiation wavelength, pulse duration (exposure), pulse repetition rate, area of the irradiated area, as well as biological factors. and physical and chemical characteristics of irradiated tissues and organs.

Laser radiation with a wavelength from 380 to 1400 nm poses the greatest danger to the retina of the eye, and radiation with a wavelength from 180 to 380 nm and over 1400 nm poses the greatest danger to the anterior media of the eye. Skin damage can be caused by laser radiation of any wavelength in the spectral range (180-510 nm).

On degree of danger of generated radiation lasers are divided into four classes.

To lasers I class include completely safe lasers, that is, lasers whose output collimated radiation does not pose a danger when irradiating the eyes and skin.

Lasers II class - these are lasers whose output radiation poses a danger when irradiating human skin or eyes with a collimated beam; however, diffusely reflected radiation is safe for both skin and eyes.

To lasers III class These include lasers whose output radiation poses a hazard when irradiating the eyes not only with collimated radiation, but also with diffusely reflected radiation at a distance of 10 cm from the reflecting surface and (or) when irradiating the skin with collimated radiation. In this case, diffusely reflected radiation does not pose a danger to the skin. This class is introduced for lasers that generate radiation in a certain spectral range.

Fourth (IV) class includes lasers, the diffusely reflected radiation of which poses a danger to the eyes and skin at a distance of 10 cm from the reflecting surface.

The manufacturer classifies lasers.

Dosimetric monitoring of laser radiation consists of assessing the characteristics of its ability to cause biological effects in comparison with standardized values.

Should distinguish 2 forms of dosimetric control:

preventive (operational) dosimetric control;
individual dosimetric control.

Preventive dosimetric control consists of determining the maximum levels of energy parameters of laser radiation at points on the boundary of the working area.

Individual dosimetric monitoring consists of measuring the levels of energy parameters of radiation affecting the eyes (skin) of a particular worker during the working day.

Preventive dosimetric control carried out in accordance with the regulations approved by the employer, but at least once a year as part of ongoing control, as well as in the following cases:

when accepting into operation new laser products of classes II-IV;
when making changes to the design of existing laser products;
when changing the design of collective protective equipment;
during experimental and adjustment work;
when certifying workplaces;
when organizing new jobs.

To carry out radiation monitoring, the employer appoints a special person from among the engineering and technical workers. At the same time, a job description must be developed that defines his rights and responsibilities. The person appointed to carry out radiation monitoring must undergo special training.

In addition, when operating laser products of class II-IV, an engineer and technical worker is appointed who has undergone special training and is responsible for ensuring safe working conditions.

Laser products of class III-IV must be accepted by the commission before they begin operation. The commission establishes compliance with the requirements for safe operation and decides on the commissioning of laser products. The decision of the commission is formalized in an act.

Safety in the workplace when operating laser products must be ensured by the design of the product.

To prevent fire when operating Class IV laser products, well-cooled non-flat metal targets or fire-resistant materials of sufficient thickness should be used as limiters. Care should be taken in this case, since the melting of these materials can lead to specular reflection of radiation.

Safety when working with open laser products is ensured by using personal protective equipment.

Personnel allowed to work with laser products must undergo instruction and special training in safe techniques and work methods. Persons temporarily involved in working with lasers must be familiar with the safety instructions and industrial sanitation when working with lasers and assigned to a responsible person from the permanent staff of the unit.

Personnel are prohibited from:

observe direct and specularly reflected laser radiation when operating class II-IV lasers without personal protective equipment;
place objects in the laser beam area that cause its mirror reflection, unless this is related to production needs.

Personnel involved in the maintenance and operation of lasers must undergo preliminary and periodic medical examinations once a year. In this case, eye examinations should be performed by specially trained ophthalmologists with the mandatory inclusion of additional research methods.

Authors: Fainburg G.Z., Ovsyankin A.D., Potemkin V.I.

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