Lasers

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) 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
• Laser safety standards

  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.

• Hazard classifications

  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.

• Additional resources
  • American National Standards Institute in Laser Safety Z136 Laser Safety Standards
  • CDRH: Center for Devices and Radiological Health
  • OSHA: Occupational Safety and Health Administration
  • ASLMS: American Society for Lasers in Medicine and Surgery
  • AORN: Association of Peri-Operative Nurses 

Research

• Laser permit application

  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: 

  1. 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
  2. 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 Learning Management System (LMS). 
     • 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.
  3. 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:

  • Request to add, move, transfer or decommission equipment
  • Changes in procedures leading to reevaluation of safety controls 
  • Major modifications of workspace
• Adding a new laser user

  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:

  1. Contact Environmental Health & Safety or radiationsafety@stonybrook.edu to request applicable training registration.
  2. Complete the assigned trainings in the Learning Management System (LMS).
  3. After completing the assigned training, the new user will fill out the Research Personnel Radiological Authorization Request with the appropriate information and signatures.
  4. After the Research Personnel Radiological Authorization Request (step 3 above) 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.
  5. Users will be informed via email when the Research Personnel Radiological Authorization Request has been approved.
• Research Laser Safety Officer (LSO)

  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.

• Training

  Research Laser Safety Training is offered through the 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

  Forms:

  • Research Laser Permit Application 
  • Research Personnel Radiological Authorization Request
  • Laser System Registration and Standard Operating Procedures
  • Laser Laboratory Self Assessment
  • Laser Incident Report

  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