Laser Safety Implementation at the University of Michigan Russ Garcia, Laser Safety Officer garciaru@umich.edu University of Michigan- EHS/RSS/Laser Safety Program Rochester, NY May 8, 2018
First, I want to thank everyone on AMLSO for their guidance, support and invaluable feedback in helping me build this program at the University of Michigan. Thank you!
September 2014: My journey with Laser Safety began
I was given a folder with records of 77 Class 3B and Class 4 lasers on campus and a database with some information about lasers on campus, but no power/energy or wavelength information.
I took the Laser Institute of America s LSO Training with Hazard Analysis. After my first calculation, I realized that EVERY lab at U-M was within the NHZ...
Including some in the Physics Dept. Glass walls exposing halls and passersby Undergrads using 15-20 mw lasers in Physics lab Were told they are SAFE.
First Identify laser labs Get inventory
Procurement lists lasers as Restricted Commodities and I must approve all Class 3B and Class 4 purchases Room sign forms submitted to Lab Safety Pre-Commissioning Consultation Form Write to labs and request inventory EHS personnel- extra eyes and ears
There are over: 600 active Class 3B and Class 4 lasers used by over 100 PIs in over 225 laser labs in 40 different buildings.
Each building and department seemed to have their own idea how to maintain their lasers and programs.
Laser curtains were installed in most laser labs 10-20 years ago. No labels. That was my first clue.
Knowledge of Laser Eye Protection varied from lab to lab.
Goal was to bring some consistency across the U-M campuses by applying some ANSI Standards: ANSI Z136.1-2014 ANSI Z136.8-2012 ANSI Z136.7-2008
Online Training Required for ALL laser users - over 1800 people have taken this training to date Additional training provided in the Physics Department and Ultrafast Program
Laser Safety Program Standard Operating Procedure Date: 12/7/16 Revision: 01 Inventory Hazards How to mitigate the hazards Written alignment procedures Emergency procedures Signature page!!!
Apply appropriate Controls Give them ANSI-required signs for their doors.
Inspections: About 100 annual inspections plus visits for a myriad of reasons Our Policy- we will inspect all open-beam Class 3B and Class 4 laser labs annually (doable- did not want to overcommit to something we cannot do)
Bring inventory sheet from inventory search Use audit checklist Try to correct items as they are found, if possible Take pictures/show pictures Give out deficiencies based on items not in compliance with the ANSI Standards Give the Lab Directors/PIs 60 days to correct deficiency If not corrected in 60 days, I write them back and let them know an email will go to their Chair We have not had to escalate enforcement on anyone yet
I generally get emails stating that deficiencies have been corrected within the allotted timeframe, but find during the next visit they weren t.
Deficiencies: 2015- about 200 2016- about 100 Last year- about 50 We re getting there
Most common In 2015, Training SOPs Written alignment procedures Door signs Housekeeping Curtains Visible Warning Device
Most common today, SOPs (getting everyone to acknowledge and sign) Typical university turnover issue Some curtains Eyewear issues- wrong wavelength AND finding that some grad students were told by their PIs that they did not need to wear eyewear during alignments if power was in Class 3B range. WHAT???!!!!!
Support: EHS - Management - All personnel (eyes and ears) NO formal Laser Safety Committee Departmental Safety Officers
EHS s Laser Safety website: http://ehs.umich.edu/research-clinical/lasers/ Laser Safety Program Guidelines Standard Operating Procedure Template Approval Request to Purchase Forms Training Requirements Laser Hazards Laser Disposal Laser Pointers
Thank you! Questions? Comments?