Ensuring Safety During Laser Cleaning with Class 4 Lasers
In the field of laser cleaning, the use of Class 4 lasers demands high safety standards. Class 4 lasers are the most powerful and potentially hazardous of laser classes, capable of causing eye and skin injuries, as well as starting fires if not properly handled. Here are some fundamental steps to ensure safety when using Class 4 lasers for laser cleaning:
1. Complete All Paperwork and Conduct a Job Walk Around:
Before commencing any laser cleaning operation, it’s essential to fill out all required paperwork, which may include risk assessments, method statements, and safety checklists. A comprehensive job walk around is also crucial. This involves familiarizing yourself with the workspace, identifying potential hazards, and ensuring all equipment is in proper working condition.
2. Conduct Safety Briefings:
Prior to any operation, conduct safety briefings for everyone within the laser work site. Inform them about the work being carried out, the potential hazards of a Class 4 laser, and the necessary safety procedures to be followed. This cultivates a culture of safety awareness and collective responsibility.
3. Use Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
Wearing the correct PPE is essential for personal safety. This includes safety glasses, gloves, and a respirator equipped with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) and carbon filter. Depending on the intensity of the laser, additional protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts may be necessary.
Ideal PPE
White reflective screens
4. Install Safety Screens and window blocking:
To protect other workers and bystanders, erect screens around the area where the Class 4 laser will be used. This step is crucial as it blocks any direct and indirect laser radiation exposure. Given that a continuous wave laser can have a Nominal Ocular Hazard Distance (NOHD) of over 3km, and a pulsed laser can be 300m, the screens and window blocking ensure that the laser cleaning machine is not visible from the sides or above, protecting against potential laser exposure.
5. Promote Competency and Awareness:
Operators handling Class 4 lasers should be well-trained and competent. They need to be aware of the direct laser beam and any potential reflective beams. Positioning, alignment, and control of laser beams should be executed with utmost care to avoid accidental exposure. Regular training and refresher courses are essential for maintaining competency and promoting a safe working environment.
6. Create a safe laser work zone
Barricades should be erected to delineate the hazardous operational area. These should be further emphasized with Danger Tape to alert everyone about the restricted zone. identiy tags can also be placed on danger tape and barricades to warn people,
Install a Flashing Light as a visible alert signal, particularly useful in loud environments where audible warnings might be missed.
Display Class 4 Warning Signs prominently around the operational area. These serve to inform all personnel about the potential hazards of the Class 4 laser in use.
To streamline communication if someone needs your attention, visibly post the contact information of the person responsible for the laser operation. A sign with a name and Contact Number allows for quick and direct communication when required.