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Laser/Electrosurgery Plume |
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Standards |
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There are currently no specific OSHA standards for laser/electrosurgery
plume hazards. This page highlights OSHA standards, standard interpretations (official
letters of interpretation of the standards), and national consensus standards related to
laser/electrosurgery plume
hazards.
OSHA
Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act, often referred to as the General Duty
Clause, requires employers to "furnish to each of his employees employment and a
place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or
are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees". Section
5(a)(2) requires employers to "comply with occupational safety and health
standards promulgated under this Act".
Note: Twenty-four states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin
Islands have
OSHA-approved State Plans and have adopted their own standards and
enforcement policies. For the most part, these States adopt standards that are
identical to Federal OSHA. However, some States have adopted different standards
applicable to this topic or may have different enforcement policies. |
Highlighted Standards
General Industry (29
CFR 1910)
- 1910 Subpart
I, Personal protective equipment [related topic
page]
- 1910.134,
Respiratory protection. Paragraph
(a)(1)
states the primary objective is to control occupational diseases caused by breathing air contaminated with harmful substances. This is to be accomplished through accepted
engineering controls if feasible, or through the use of appropriate respirators.
Note: Surgical masks used to prevent contamination of the patient are not certified for respiratory protection of medical employees.
[related topic
page]
- 1910 Subpart
Z, Toxic and hazardous substances [related topic
page]
- 1910.1030, Bloodborne
pathogens. Paragraph
(d)(3)(i)
states the employer must supply appropriate personal protective equipment such as gloves, gowns, masks and eye protection. This standard would apply if such items become
contaminated with viable bloodborne pathogens from laser smoke or plume.
[related topic
page]
Standard Interpretations
National Consensus
Note: These are NOT OSHA regulations. However, they
do provide guidance from their originating organizations related to worker
protection.
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
The American
National Standards Institute (ANSI) has developed several standards relating to laser hazards and non-beam hazards.
They are recognized as a minimum standard for laser safety.
- Z136.1-2007, Safe Use of Lasers, (2007).
- Z136.3-2005, Safe Use of Lasers in Health Care
Facilities, (2005).
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