Combined risk assessment for use the operation
and use of microscope and associated laser
systems
CRUK Beatson
Institute
Risk Assessment – LaVision Biotec Trim-scope II
(Room YYY BRU)
Assessor
Advising Health and
Safety Officer:
Date Completed:
Date of Previous
Form if Any:
Date Reviewed: (additions,
amendments to be added)
Authorised personnel
Sheet Number
Ewan
McGhee
Richard Selkirk
05/03/2014
N/A
04/03/2015
Trained users
1 of
PREVENTIVE AND PROTECTIVE MEASURES TO REDUCE RISKS TO AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL (OR
AVOID THEM ALTOGETHER), AND TO COMPLY WITH RELEVANT HEALTH AND SAFETY LAW
HAZARD POTENTIAL
of Chameleon Ultra
II laser use
(to be numbered)
SIGNIFICANT RISKS TO HEALTH AND
SAFETY
Identify if any category of employee is
especially at risk. Also identify if any category
of non- employee is at risk.
Hazard
Nature of Hazard/Person at risk
Control Measure(s)
1. Optical
Operator at risk from exposure to pulsed
NIR light
PPE in form of NIR laser blocking goggles, user training, appropriate beam enclosure
2. Environment
Exposure to pulsed NIR laser light to unauthorised people
Visitors are always accompanied, laser warning sign in corridor, laser interlock system
3. Electrical
Risk of electric shock for user
No user access to internals of power supply
4. Mechanical
Engineers and approved users risk of
injury from moving it
Only moved in pairs of workers, secured to optical bench all other times
1. Optical
Operator at risk from eye damage caused
by UV Light and NIR light via eyepieces
Blocking filters inserted in light path
2.Electrical
Risk of electric shock for user
Check for integrity of cables and electrical components
3. Biohazard
Risk of system and user contamination
from biological samples imaged
Covered dishes used for live cell work, sealed coverslips for fixed samples, use of gloves at all
times (location requirement as well)
4. Chemical
Risk of user and system chemical
contamination from chemical treatments
used in imaging experiments
Gloves and appropriate PPE
Chameleon Ultra
II laser + OPO
Trim-scope II
Describe the product
and application
Background Information
LaVision Biotec Trim-scope multi-photon microscope system consisting of: mercury bulb light source, an
inverted Nikon Eclipse Ti microscope stand, Trim-scope II scan-head into which is coupled IR pulsed excitation
light from a Ti:Sapphire laser system and OPO. This risk assessment covers the daily, routine use of the
microscope system as a whole. A laser specific risk assessment covers the laser / optical path maintenance.
Describe the Laser
There are two possible external laser sources available to the Trim-scope. 1) A Coherent Chameleon Ultra II
Ti:Sapphire which is pumped by internal diodes. This laser can be automatically tuned to emit over a range of
680 – 1080 nm with no cavity adjustment required from the user. Output power is ~ 3.6 W at 830 nm and a
variable amount (0 – 100%) of the output can be coupled directly into the scan-head. 2) An APE OPO PP840
cavity source which utilises ~80% of the output from the Chameleon Ti:Sapphire laser as a pump source. The
OPO emits between 1100 – 1500 nm with maximum output power of 1080 mW at 1100 nm.
Describe the Beam
Delivery System
All beams are enclosed in permanent beam tubes with mirror mounts and periscopes covered by boxes. Access
is available to adjust beam steering mirror positions by removal of individual box lids.
Describe the Laser
Process
IR light from the Ti:Sapphire and OPO laser enters the microscope body via the scan-head. It is reflected
upwards by a dichroic and focussed to a point by an objective lens. The produced fluorescence is then collected
by the same objective and detected using PMTs located at exit ports of the microscope.
Describe the
Environment
The Ti:Sapphire power supply is located under the optical table. Ancillary equipment is stored on shelving above
the table.
Who uses the product
or could affect its
operation?
What PPE is available
and what are the
markings?
To what part of the life
cycle of the activity
does this risk
assessment apply?
All suitably trained users could use it.
When optimising the beam coupling in to the scan-head IR blocking goggles must be worn: LG9 Thorlabs
amber goggles (720-1075 DM L5, 720-750 + >1064-1075 IR L5, 750-1064 IR L7).
Normal Operation,
YOU MUST HAVE A RISK ASSESSMENT WHICH COVERS THE MOST HAZARDOUS PART OF THE
ACTIVITY, FOR EG ALIGNMENT AND CHANGE OF USE