Acquisition home | Laser home | Laser Resources Acquisition Safety
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Introduction |
Exposure to lasers can be hazardous, resulting in permanent and disabling eye injuries, skin damage, and harmful effects to other biological systems. Since May 1996, the Navy’s Laser Safety Review Board (LSRB) has provided authoritative safety reviews and assistance for acquisition, development, and deployment of over 100 laser systems, exercises, and deployment protocols. LSRB’s early involvement in the acquisition process helped acquisition program managers to minimize their programs’ risks, including unacceptable system performance, delays in testing, and cost and schedule slippage.The success of the Navy's Laser Radiation Safety Program is illustrated by the absence of a single mishap or injury attributed to laser systems or misguided laser munitions during the Gulf War conflict, when tens of thousands of sophisticated laser systems were used. The Department of the Navy’s (DON) policy (OPNAVINST 5100.19 Series and OPNAVINST 5100.23 Series) is to identify and control Laser Radiation Hazards early during the system design and development process. This section of the Acquisition Safety website will concentrate on the safety and health challenges of laser radiation in the shipboard environment and the Navy’s success in designing systems that eliminate risk. [See the Resources Section for more information on DON policy and instruction on Laser Radiation]. |
BackgroundLasers are designed to operate at various wavelengths in the ultraviolet, visible portions of the electromagnetic spectrum, and are used in various military and scientific applications. Laser-guided weapons and laser target identification devices are typical military applications of lasers found aboard Navy ships. The Navy has adopted the American National Standards Institute’s (ANSI) Z136.1 laser hazards classifications system, which provides a practical means for determining safety requirements appropriate for different types of lasers. There are four laser hazard classifications, and there are two types of laser hazards - laser beam hazards and non-beam laser hazards. |
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ChallengesCommon Causes of Laser Accidents According to American National Standard Institute (ANSI) Z136.1-2000, Safe Use of Lasers, ninety-five percent of laser accidents occur due to the following:
The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Environment, Safety and Health published a Special Operations Report: Laser Safety, February 2005, which examined the root causes of seven DOE laser incidents occurring between 2001 and 2005. This report identified the following as the root causes of the mishaps:
While laser injuries associated with military operations aboard Navy ships have been rare, lessons learned from the above causes of laser mishaps can help the Navy to design systems that protect Sailors from laser mishaps. |
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RecommendationsLaser Safety Design and Review Process DON policy is to identify and control laser radiation hazards early during design and development as a matter of military necessity. OPNAV Instruction 5100.27BA, May 2008/Marine Corps Order 5104.1C, Navy Laser Hazards Control Program, provides a “Laser Safety Design Requirement Checklist” for the designer, procuring activity, or personnel responsible for laser safety to ensure they comply with the laser safety design requirements for military lasers and associated support equipment. This comprehensive checklist compiled from MIL-STD-1425 must be used by manufacturers and commands when submitting requests for a laser evaluation. The Navy’s LSRB provides authoritative safety reviews and assistance for acquisition, development, and deployment of laser systems, exercises, and deployment protocols. Laser Engineering Controls The implementation of engineering controls as the primary method of safety in the acquisition design process will reduce the risk of laser-related mishaps as well as reducing manpower and training requirements for operating laser systems. These measures will in turn reduce the life-cycle cost of the acquisition program. Engineering controls are design features applied to the laser or laser environment. They restrict exposure or reduce irradiance. Some engineering controls include: • Protective Housing, Interlocks: A protective housing is a physical barrier sufficient to contain the beam and laser radiation from exiting the laser system so that the maximum permissible exposure (MPE) is not exceeded on the outside surface. Protective housings or enclosures must have an interlock system, which is activated when the protective housing is opened during operation and maintenance. For example, opening a door to a protective housing should de-energize the source, and it should be possible to reenergize the source only through a specific action such as pressing a switch.
Laser System Safety Officer (LSSO) Roles, Responsibilities, and Training Requirements OPNAV Instruction 5100.27B, May 2008/Marine Corps Order 5104.1C clearly defines the role, responsibilities, and training requirements for a Navy Laser System Safety Officer (LSSO). The commanding officer of a Navy activity that uses Class 3b or Class 4 lasers, or systems incorporating any Class 3b or Class 4 lasers, designates an individual by name and code as the LSSO. Responsibilities and duties of the LSSO are formally documented to ensure that lasers are operated safely per the OPNAV Instruction. The Instruction states that the LSSO should have direct access to the commanding officer and have the authority to suspend, restrict, or terminate the operation of a laser or laser system. The LSSO must be trained to perform his/her assigned duties. As indicated in the Department of Energy ’s Special Operations Report: Laser Safety, the role, responsibilities and training requirements of a Laser System Safety Officer (LSSO) are critical factors for the success of a Laser Safety Control Program. Laser Safety Training Program for Laser Operators/Maintainers Safety training is a fundamental requirement of acquisition program support. OPNAV Instruction 5100.27B, May 2008/Marine Corps Order 5104.1C requires that all Navy personnel in areas using Class 3b or Class 4 lasers and all personnel using Class 3a force-on-force lasers receive annual training about the potential hazards associated with accidental exposure to laser radiation. In particular, the extraordinary danger of eye damage due to focusing on lasers and absorption by the eyes is emphasized. The Instruction requires that, “Initial safety training and refresher training shall be appropriate to the operation.” Inadequate training and a lack of understanding of the hazards and controls were factors in most laser accidents as reported in the Department of Energy ’s Special Operations Report: Laser Safety. Laser Safety Evaluations, Inspections and Surveys Per OPNAV Instruction 5100.27B, May 2008/Marine Corps Order 5104.1C, laser facilities and ranges (other than medical facilities) shall receive local laser safety compliance inspections annually by an LSSO. This policy is to avoid the lack of oversight of laser operations, which was a contributing factor to laser exposures identified in the Department of Energy ’s Special Operations Report: Laser Safety. Laser Safety Equipment The Laser Safety Training Program ensures Navy personnel understand the importance of wearing proper PPE during laser operations. Lack of understanding of laser hazards will lead to a “failure to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE),” which is one of the common causes for laser accidents as identified in the Department of Energy ’s Special Operations Report: Laser Safety.
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ConclusionBy identifying and controlling laser radiation hazards early during the system design and development process, the DON has successfully protected personnel who operate or otherwise come in contact with lasers from harmful effects of exposure. This acquisition and design process involves:
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