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Lasers of classes 3B and 4
No undergraduate may have access to, or use, these classes of laser.
A hazard and risk assessment MUST exist for every laser of these classes.
The design of the laboratory in which the laser is used should incorporate:
- complete absence of all specularly-reflecting surfaces (e.g. mirrors, glass-doored cupboards, bottles, polished apparatus, beam-path element holders, etc.) that are not an integral part of the beam path or experimental equipment.
- a high light-level, enhanced by light-coloured walls. This has the dual effect of making the laboratory safer to move around in and of ensuring that the pupils of the eyes of all workers are as far closed as possible to restrict the aperture of the eyes.
- a light system outside the laboratory door to warn unauthorised persons against entering the experiment zone. These should be interlocked with the laser switching circuitry, and fail-safe in design. A system of interlocked and fail-safe switches on the access doors either to switch off the laser or release shutters to occlude the accessible beam in the event of unauthorised access is desirable, but may not be appropriate in all cases.
All users of these classes of laser must be registered with the University Radiation Service as laser users, and must undergo training in the use of the laser to which they are registered, including the correct operation of safety procedures and interlocks. No ophthalmic testing is required. All new workers must sign a declaration that they have received training and have read and agree to abide by the relevant instructions and rules.
As far as is consistent with ease of use and safe handling, the beam-path of these classes of laser should be enclosed when the laser is in operation. Where this is not possible, guard-rails or screens should be provided to prevent accidental access to the beam. These lasers may never be operated hand-held; they may only be operated when secured in the required position.
The use of laser goggles is dependent upon the particular circumstance. While they can act as a safeguard, especially for onlookers, they can create a false sense of security, and by rendering a visible beam invisible can in fact create a hazard. However, when setting-up or aligning an open beam and in all cases when working with beams of wavelengths outside the visible spectrum, the use of the appropriate laser goggles is recommended.
Lasers of these classes must incorporate a key-switch to which only authorised users are issued the key. Keys must not be left permanently in the switch when the laser is not operating.
