Laser Hazards and Emergency Response

Injury to Personnel: Immediately call 911 for assistance. Notify the PI or any supervisory personnel in the area. If possible, secure the laser involved in the injury. If the nature of the injury can be confidently reduced in severity by administering available first aid or other measures, proceed until relieved by emergency responders.
Hazardous Material Spills: In the event that hazardous material is spilled, isolate the spill if possible. Contact EH&S at extension 4-6778 and describe the nature of the incident. If outside of normal business hours call 911. If possible secure any laser in operation. Evacuate the lab and await responders.
Fire: Shut down the laser if possible. Announce to any persons in the area that a fire has occurred.

If you are aware of the fire extinguisher location and have been trained to use it, you may elect to combat small fires. Before proceeding with fire suppression, make sure that you have a clear evacuation route constantly accessible behind you. If you feel any effects from the fire due to heat, smoke or fumes, do not fight the fire. Evacuate the area immediately and call 911 from any available phone.

Call 911 and report the fire in all cases. Even if you believe the fire to be out, the source of ignition should be investigated by Public Safety or the Campus Fire Marshal.
Eye Hazards: Retinal burns and other retinal damage are most likely to result from exposure to laser light in the visible and near-infrared regions (400-1400 nm).

Corneal effects such as photokeratitis or welders flash may occur from exposure to laser light in the mid-infrared, far-infrared and middle ultra-violet ranges (1400nm-1 mm, and 180-315 nm).

Cataracts or clouding of the lens of the eye may occur from exposure to laser light in the near-ultraviolet region (315-390 nm).
Skin Hazards: The damaging effects to the skin is principally erythema or sunburn. Damage to the skin may occur from exposure to laser light in the range of 230-380 nm. The most severe effects to the skin occur from exposure to laser light in the UV-B region (280-315 nm).
Electrical Hazards: The most serious hazard from the operation of high powered lasers is the possibility of electrical shock. The operator must be cognizant of those areas where high voltage is present. Optimally, access to high voltage electricity should be physically restricted wherever possible. Visual inspections should be performed by laser users to check for appropriate insulation of high voltage contacts.
Chemical Hazards: Some lasers use chemical dyes and solvents. A copy of the material safety data sheet (MSDS) should be available for reference by laboratory personnel. If hazardous chemicals come into contact with your skin or eyes, flush immediately with water and call 911 for assistance.


	Business and Financial Affairs > Environmental Health and Safety > Laser Safety >
	Environmental Health and Safety Laser Safety Laser Hazards and Emergency Response Injury to Personnel Immediately call 911 for assistance. Notify the PI or any supervisory personnel in the area. If possible, secure the laser involved in the injury. If the nature of the injury can be confidently reduced in severity by administering available first aid or other measures, proceed until relieved by emergency responders. Hazardous Material Spills In the event that hazardous material is spilled, isolate the spill if possible. Contact EH&S at extension 4-6778 and describe the nature of the incident. If outside of normal business hours call 911. If possible secure any laser in operation. Evacuate the lab and await responders. Fire Shut down the laser if possible. Announce to any persons in the area that a fire has occurred. If you are aware of the fire extinguisher location and have been trained to use it, you may elect to combat small fires. Before proceeding with fire suppression, make sure that you have a clear evacuation route constantly accessible behind you. If you feel any effects from the fire due to heat, smoke or fumes, do not fight the fire. Evacuate the area immediately and call 911 from any available phone. Call 911 and report the fire in all cases. Even if you believe the fire to be out, the source of ignition should be investigated by Public Safety or the Campus Fire Marshal. Eye Hazards Retinal burns and other retinal damage are most likely to result from exposure to laser light in the visible and near-infrared regions (400-1400 nm). Corneal effects such as photokeratitis or welders flash may occur from exposure to laser light in the mid-infrared, far-infrared and middle ultra-violet ranges (1400nm-1 mm, and 180-315 nm). Cataracts or clouding of the lens of the eye may occur from exposure to laser light in the near-ultraviolet region (315-390 nm). Skin Hazards The damaging effects to the skin is principally erythema or sunburn. Damage to the skin may occur from exposure to laser light in the range of 230-380 nm. The most severe effects to the skin occur from exposure to laser light in the UV-B region (280-315 nm). Electrical Hazards The most serious hazard from the operation of high powered lasers is the possibility of electrical shock. The operator must be cognizant of those areas where high voltage is present. Optimally, access to high voltage electricity should be physically restricted wherever possible. Visual inspections should be performed by laser users to check for appropriate insulation of high voltage contacts. Chemical Hazards Some lasers use chemical dyes and solvents. A copy of the material safety data sheet (MSDS) should be available for reference by laboratory personnel. If hazardous chemicals come into contact with your skin or eyes, flush immediately with water and call 911 for assistance.
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Environmental Health and Safety

Laser Safety

Laser Hazards and Emergency Response