EMERGENCY: (631) 632-3333
or 333 from a campus phone
NON-EMERGENCY: (631) 632-6410
STAFF DIRECTORYLASER SAFETY
Lasers utilize spontaneous emission to produce intense, coherent, directional beams of light. These properties of laser beams make them broadly useful but also can lead to biological damage, most notably to the eye or skin. Depending on the work environment, other hazards can be associated with laser use such as electrical, chemical or respiratory hazards. The Laser Safety Programs at Stony Brook University and Stony Brook Medicine oversee the safe use of lasers to mitigate hazards in research and clinical environments.
When to contact Laser Safety:
- Requesting a new or modification to a Research Laser Permit
- Adding new users
- Registering new lasers
- Requesting a hazard classification and evaluation
- Decommissioning spaces and equipment
- Responding to an emergency/Reporting a near miss
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) provides several Laser Safety Standards to minimize hazards to those who work with lasers by providing general requirements for their safe use.
ANSI Z136.1 is the laser safety standard that has been adopted by the laser industry and representatives from user communities to control laser hazards.
ANSI Z136.3 is the standard for Safe Laser Use in Health Care. The control measures in this standard are tailored to the intentional application of laser radiation to a patient for diagnostic, preventative, cosmetic or therapeutic purposes.
ANSI Z136.8 describes alternative controls and procedures that may be utilized in a research environment.
ANSI Z136.5 is the standard for Safe Use of Lasers in Educational Institutions. This standard addresses laser safety concerns and situations that may occur in educational environments. It is intended for faculty and students using lasers at primary, secondary, and college levels of education excluding graduate level research laboratories that are more comprehensively addressed by ANSI Z136.8.
For some situations, two or more standards should be utilized in combination to sufficiently and reasonably address potential hazards. Laser Safety Officers make the determination as to which standards are applicable.
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) in Laser Safety Standards requires each laser to contain a label at or near the beam outlet that states its classification.
Classes 1 and 2 lasers: Present minimal risk in instances of accidental exposure.
Class 3 lasers: Are hazardous in that direct viewing or specular reflections are harmful. Normally, are neither a fire nor a diffuse viewing hazard.
Class 4 lasers: Are not only hazardous from direct or specular reflection, but also diffuse reflection. This class may also produce fire or skin hazards.
**Class 3 and 4B lasers require specific considerations for hazard control.
research
Purpose: All work with Class 3B and Class 4 lasers must be declared to and evaluated by a Laser Safety Officer (LSO) and Laser Safety Program (LSP) to comply with OSHA regulations and ANSI standards. For non-medical uses, the Laser Permit provides the LSO and the LSP with the necessary information for performing their duties.
Who should complete this permit: The Research Laser Permit Application is filled out by the person who will be responsible for the use of lasers in the research group, research facility or teaching center. This person must have experience and training in the safe use of lasers.
How to complete this permit:
- Permit holders should review, print out and retain a copy of ERM.EHS.RS 118 Research Radioactive Materials, X-ray and Laser Permit Holder Responsibilities
- Submit to Radiation Safety:
- Permit Holder’s most recent CV or resume demonstrating laser experience.
- Research Personnel Radiological Authorization Request for each faculty/student or staff member (other than the permit holder) working with or in close proximity to Class 3B or Class 4 lasers. Each form is to be signed by the user and permit holder.
- Complete required training: The LSO will enroll the permit holder and all users in the online safety course, SBRS 022. The permit holder and users must complete the course through the Safety Management System.
- Simple map of all locations where Class 3B or Class 4 lasers will be used. Indicate locations of the lasers, windows, doors and barriers such as curtains or dividers.
- The Research Laser Permit Application, completed in its entirety.
- Approval process:
- Upon receiving a complete application, the LSO will perform an initial review of materials submitted and will schedule an initial brief visit of the workspace. Your Class 3B and Class 4 lasers will be registered during this visit. Additional visits may be scheduled at this time for any required follow-up inspections.
- The permit holder is usually a faculty member and/or principal investigator. With approval from involved faculty, they can instead be a member of the research staff with a leading role in projects where Class 3B and/or Class 4 lasers are used.The determination of satisfactory knowledge is at the discretion of the LSO.
- Approved permit holders receive notification of decision once the LSO/Radiation Safety process is complete.
Expiration/ Amendments:
Laser Permits are valid for five years from the approval date. Amendments to permits must formally be submitted to Radiation Safety by email and approved by the LSO before the changes can occur. Amendments include:
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- Request to add, move, transfer or decommission equipment
- Changes in procedures leading to reevaluation of safety controls
- Major modifications of workspace
New users must receive authorization from the Radiation Safety Officer prior to beginning work with Lasers. Complete the following steps to request authorization for a new user:
- Contact the Environmental Health & Safety Front Office at 631-632-6410 or radiationsafety@stonybrook.edu to request applicable training registration.
- Complete the assigned trainings in the Salute Safety Management System.
- After completing the assigned training, the new user will fill out the Research Personnel Radiological Authorization Request with the appropriate information and signatures.
- After the Research Personnel Radiological Authorization Request has been completed and certified by the Candidate and the Permit Holder, the form must be emailed to radiationsafety@stonybrook.edu for review by the Radiation Safety Officer.
- Users will be informed via email when the Research Personnel Radiological Authorization Request has been approved.
Can Erdonmez is the Research Laser Safety Officer for Stony Brook University. The LSO is responsible for implementing the Research Laser Safety Program and has the authority to suspend, restrict or terminate the operation of a laser system if laser hazard controls are deemed inadequate.
Research Laser Safety Training is offered through the Salute Learning Management System (LMS). If you would like to take this course and have not yet been enrolled, please contact Radiation Safety at radiationsafety@stonybrook.edu or (631) 632-6410.
FORMS
POSTINGS
- Laser Controlled Area Danger Sign Class 4
- Laser Controlled Area Danger Sign Sample Class 4 ANSI-Compliant
- Laser Controlled Area Warning Sign Class 3B
- Laser Controlled Area Warning Sign Class 4
- Laser Controlled Area Warning Sign Sample Class 3B or 4 ANSI-Compliant
- Laser Controlled Area Warning Sign Sample_How to Complete ANSI-Compliant
- Laser Repair in Progress Sign Sample
MEDICAL
The Laser Safety Program was created by Stony Brook Medicine to establish, maintain and control hazards associated with medical lasers. The program is overseen by a Laser Safety Committee and Medical Laser Safety Officer (MLSO).
The Laser Safety Program is responsible for:
- Reviewing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for safety
- Monitoring compliance of control measures
- Monitoring credentials of users and developing policies related to credentialling
- Providing education and training
- Managing and reporting accidents
Credentialing new laser users is done by Stony Brook’s Medical Board. Proper certification and credentialing process for laser users is in accordance with current credentialing policy. Credentials are granted to use the laser for its intended purpose within their scope of practice, training and experience.
Samantha Claros is the Medical Laser Safety Officer for Stony Brook Medicine. The MLSO is authorized and responsible for the Medical Laser Safety Program and has the authority to suspend, restrict or terminate the operation of a laser system if laser hazard controls are deemed inadequate.
The Medical Laser Safety Committee advises laser activity and enforces operational policies and procedures in the use of medical lasers at Stony Brook Medicine. The committee consists of surgeons, clinicians and administrators involved in medical laser usage. The committee meets quarterly or when necessary by an emergency event with lasers.
Title: Laser Safety HNZ213
Duration: 30 minutes
Course Purpose: Staff working with or around lasers are required to complete this training at the time of initial assignment, and at least annually thereafter. Physicians credentialed in laser use are required to complete this training at the time of initial assignment and must repeat the training at a minimum frequency of 4.5 years.
Who should attend: Personnel below working with Class IIIB and Class IV Lasers
- Main OR, ASC, Ep-Lab and Cath-Lab Nurses.
- Surgical Technologists.
- Radiology and MRI techs working around lasers.
- Neurosurgery PA’s.
- CRNA’s and Anesthesia Physicians
- All users (physicians) credentialled in laser use
This training is available on the Stony Brook Medicine HealthStream Learning Management System (LMS).
How to access the training:
Accessing the System:
- Click on the LMS link on the Hospital intranet, OR
- Access the LMS from the internet at the following web address:
www.healthstream.com/hlc/sbumc
- Please note: You may access the system from any PC that has internet access. If a pop-blocker is enabled, you will have to disable it before starting.
For additional course information or questions, please contact Radiation Safety at radiationsafety@stonybrook.edu or 631-632-6410.