The University of Texas at Austin Laser Safety Program
UTLaser3
Laser Safety Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
(To be available on the EH&S Radiation Safety Webpage)
Department/Laboratory:
Date:
10/15/2007
Procedure #:
Revision Number:
Author: PI Name
 This procedure shall be read and signed annually by all persons who use lasers listed in the SOP.
 This procedure shall be reviewed every two years by the Permittee/Laboratory LSS to ensure it reflects the
most current conditions.
1.
LASER SAFETY CONTACTS
 Laboratory Laser Safety Supervisor (LSS)
Phone number
(512) 471-XXXX
 University Laser Safety Officer
Scott Pennington
Phone number (512) 471-2042 (Office)
24 hour on call (512) 875-0911__
 Maintenance/Repair
Phone number
 Medical Emergencies
(512) 471-XXXX
1.
2.
911
Notify the Laboratory LSS and University LSO of all laser-related
injuries and near misses as soon as possible.
2.
LASER DESCRIPTION
The XXXXX uses one StockerYale Magnum II line projector, which has an 810nm 7w laser diode to illuminate the
pavement for image acquisition. The fan angle of the projector is nearly 80o.
Model
S/N
date
MAGII-501L-810-4000-90 300307123 3/30/2007
MAGII-501L-810-7000-80 101007013 10/10/2007
MAGII-501L-810-7000-80 101007016 10/10/2007
3.
Inventory
799862
799900
799901
LASER SAFETY PROGRAM
See the UT-Austin Laser Safety Program Manual for:






Responsibilities of the laser operator/user, Permittee, and Laser Safety Supervisor
Laser Permit Requirements
SOP, Training Requirements, and Interlocks
Eyewear Requirements, including annual eyewear inspections
Sign and Labeling Requirements
Non-radiation Hazards
Maintain a copy of the Texas Regulations for Control of Laser Radiation Hazards (§289.301).
Laser SOP
Page 2
4.
HAZARDS & CONTROLS
HAZARDS AND CONTROLS
Check if
applicable










HAZARD
High Voltage
Capacitors
Unenclosed Beam
Access to Beam
Laser will be operated at vehicle speeds fast enough to limit
exposure time to low hazard levels. When vehicle is not in
motion and laser is operated, a temporary laser controlled area
will be established.
Fumes/Vapors
Ultraviolet
Radiation or Blue
Light
Compressed Gases
Hazardous
Chemicals/Waste
Housekeeping
Reflective Material
in Beam Path
x
Fire
Laser at eye level
of person sitting or
standing
Infrared Lasers
x
Correct Eyewear
x
CONTROL(S)
COMMENTS:
Proximity sensor, interlock switch, warning sign, warning light
Same as above
Laser SOP
Page 3
ADDITIONAL CONTROLS
Check if
applicable
CONTROL

Entryway (door)
Interlocks or Controls
Laser Enclosure
Interlocks
Laser Housing
Interlocks
Panic Button
Emergency Stop


x

x
x
Beam Stops
Master Switch
(operated by key or
computer code)
Laser Secured to Base




COMMENTS:
1
Required by 25TAC§289.301(s)(1)
COMMENTS
Infrared Laser must terminate in fire-resistant material and the
absorber must be inspected at least quarterly1
Key for master control switch will be issued only to
trained laser operators.
Laser SOP
5.
Page 4
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
A.
Eyewear
LASER EYEWEAR
For this Laser…
…Wear this Eyewear
Acquisition
date
Type
Wavelength
(nm)
Wavelength
Attenuated
(nm)
Optical
Density (OD)
Remarks
(example)
Aug 99
CO2
10,600
10,600
At least 3.5
High
transmission
Diode
810
810
5
Glendalewhite frames
Glendalepurple frames
2005
Identify each set of laser protective eyewear with a unique designation (name or number).
The following check shall be done annually. Discard unfit eyewear. See section 6.5.
Item
Adequate pairs of eyewear
for all needs.
Eyewear specific to
wavelength
OD appropriate for full
range of power; alignment
to power ops
Fit snugly
Labeled for wavelength
and OD
Free of damage excessive
scratches
Comments
Date/Initial
Laser SOP
Page 5
What (item):
6.
A.
And is available from (where)
which must be worn (when):
OPERATING PROCEDURES
Initial preparation of lab environment for normal operation (key position, warning light on, interlock activated,
identification of personnel, other)
1. If in the lab environment, make sure nobody is in the 10.6 (35 feet) range of the enclosure and the people who
have to be near must wear correct laser protective eyewear.
2. Close the access to the lab or make sure the working area is under monitor.
B.
Target area preparation
N/A
C.
Operation procedures are as follows:
When the laser system is used inside the lab environment,
1. Turn on the 12V power by turning the keylock switch on the control box to the ON position. The red
warning lights on the laser system enclosure and the control box will be on.
2. Turn on the rocker switch on the control box, which is connected to the interlock switch of the laser
diode. If there is no object within the field of view (FOV) (6 feet) of the proximity sensors, the laser line
will be projected out of the open slot of the enclosure.
3. If there is an object in the six-foot FOV of the proximity sensors, the speakers in the enclosure or in the
control box will start to send out a beeping sound. The operator should examine the situation and turn off
the rocker switch or the keylock switch on the control box whenever perceiving a danger.
4. If a subject or object comes into a two-foot range to a proximity sensor, the warning sound of the speaker
and the LED light will become steady, the relay switch will be activated to shut off the laser line
automatically. However, the operator must make sure the rocker switch is on the OFF position for a
redundant protection.
When the laser system is used outside for regular pavement survey
1. The driver, operator or other personnel in the survey vehicle need to have correct laser protective eyewear
ready to wear.
2. Do not turn on laser power when the vehicle does not move at least 5 mph.
3. When the vehicle runs at 5 mph, turn on the 12V power by turning the keylock switch on the control box
to the ON position. The red warning lights on the laser system enclosure and the control box will be on.
4. Turn on the rocker switch on the control box, which is connected to the interlock switch of the laser
diode. If there is no object in FOV of the proximity sensors, the laser line will be projected out of the open
slot of the enclosure.
5. If a subject or object comes into a six-foot range to a proximity sensor, it will trigger the speaker in the
enclosure or the control box to make a beeping sound, and make the LED light blink. The operator should
turn off the rocker switch or the key switch on the control box immediately.
6. If a subject or object comes into a two-foot range to a proximity sensor, the warning sound of the speaker
and the LED light will become steady, the relay switch will be activated to shut off the laser line
automatically. However, the operator must make sure the rocker switch is on the OFF position for a
redundant protection.
D.
Shutdown procedures for this laser are as follows:
1. Switch off the rocker switch on the control box.
2. Turn off the key switch on the control box.
E.
Special procedures (alignment, safety tests, interlock bypass, emergency, etc.)
When the laser system is used outside for services (calibration, exterior maintenance, etc.)
1. The vehicle should park in a controlled space where there is no access to an unauthorized person. If such
a controlled space is not available, an appropriate laser barrier such as a fabric drapery must be used to set
a screen around the working area.
2. Anyone who works in the controlled area must wear correct laser protective eyewear and avoid looking at
the open slot of the laser system enclosure.
3. Do not expose the skin to laser light path.
4. For exterior maintenance, the system should be powered off.
5. For calibration, the operator places a white reference (e.g., poster board) under the projector and camera, ,
and stays out of the proximity sensor’s range. The calibration can be done automatically by using the
functions of the laser system software.
6. Proceed in the same steps as operation in lab environment.
Note: optical alignment and other services on the components have to be done by the manufacturer’s trained
personnel. The user should be not open the enclosure of the laser system.
Laser SOP
Page 6
7. OPERATOR REVIEW (General Laser Safety Training Certificate, System specific training by Laboratory
LSO)
I have read this procedure and understand its contents.
Name (print)
Signature
Date