The use of lasers at the University of Iowa is common, both for research in laboratories and for medical procedures at University of Iowa Healthcare. The application for these useful tools is increasing all the time. For Class 3B and Class 4 lasers however, there are certain hazards associated with their use. Exposure to these classes of lasers can result in serious eye injury, including permanent blindness. Lasers can also be a skin exposure risk, as exposure of unprotected skin to higher powered lasers can result in thermal burns or even cancer.
EHS has a laser safety program geared at minimizing the risks associated with the use of lasers. The program includes separate laser safety manuals for research and medical laser use. These manuals spell out the risks of laser use and safety precautions required to help prevent injury to yourself or others.
Another important element to the laser safety program is laser safety audits. EHS performs laser safety audits for UI and UI Healthcare laser users. These audits consist of a review of the laser equipment, laser use area, protective equipment, laser use procedures, staff training records, and laser safety practice. Some of the specific things we look for include security of lasers and laser use areas, proper labels and signs, proper protective equipment for the lasers in use, laser use procedures, and staff training. We also look to make sure the beam path (for open laser systems) is not at eye level and is terminated properly. (And maybe a little less obvious, that there aren’t reflective surfaces or combustible materials in the beam path.) There are other things we look at as well, but we’ll save that for the audits.
Gordon Axt and Julie Jacobs are the EHS staff responsible for the laser safety program. You may have seen Julie in your lab doing an audit recently. If not, you will likely see her soon. Please feel free to contact either of them with laser safety related questions.