ILSC 2007 Paper #502 (A Practical Approach to Safe Use of Lasers in the Research Laboratory)

A Practical Approach to Safe Use of Lasers in the Research Laboratory
Authors:
David Stolarski, Northrop Grumman; San Antonio TX USA
Gary Noojin, Northrop Grumman; San Antonio TX USA
Benjamin Rockwell, USAF; Brooks City Base TX USA
Harvey Hodnett, Northrop Grumman; San Antonio TX USA
Robert Thomas, USAF; Brooks City Base TX USA
Presented at ILSC 2007

A practical approach to laser safety planning for the research laboratory must consider flexibility as a key component. Refinement in experimental design, a process of the scientific method, is inevitable. Each time the optical layout is modified, new hazards must be identified and neutralized ...

ILSC 2007 Paper #503 (Project ORION - Laser Safety by Design)

Project ORION - Laser Safety by Design
Authors:
Graham White, AWE; READING Great Britain
S. Melton, AWE; Reading Great Britain
Tom Bett, AWE; Reading Great Britain
Presented at ILSC 2007

Project ORION currently underway at AWE is Building the largest laser system in the UK. This is a MOPA configuration Nd doped glass laser system for high energy density physics research. The laser comprises 10 beams of 30cm aperture delivering 5kJ in 1ns at 351nm to target and 2 beams of 60cm aperture utilising CPA to deliver IPW each at 100nm in 0.5ps pulses. The facility comprises several designated compartments in a building around 100m long and 60m width. The major hazards are g...

ILSC 2007 Paper #504 (Consideration of Selected Laser Safety Concerns in the Industrial Environment...or Have You Ever Faced this Issue Before?)

Consideration of Selected Laser Safety Concerns in the Industrial Environment...or Have You Ever Faced this Issue Before?
Authors:
Gene Moss, Corning; Corning NY USA
Ken Barat, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab; Berkeley CA USA
Presented at ILSC 2007

Two experienced Laser Safety Officers offer their own insight into some unique selected industrial laser safety issues seen or experienced. The issues to be presented are safety associated with optical tables, single laser warning lights, walkway laser safety, approaches and techniques for laser enclosures, impact of older workers using lasers, laser warning signs messages, and laser skin exposure. Each issue is presented using a two t...

ILSC 2007 Paper #601 (Improved Laser Safety Training Materials for University Students)

Improved Laser Safety Training Materials for University Students
Authors:
Johnny Jones, Laser-Professionals Inc.; Los Alamos NM USA
Jay Parkinson, Phoenix Laser Safety; Chandler AZ USA
Pat Harris, Laser-Professionals Inc.; Santa Barbara CA USA
Presented at ILSC 2007

During the last decade one of the groups with the highest number of laser injuries has been student workers. Improved laser safety training can be a significant factor in reducing laser accidents among university students. Until recently suitable laser safety training materials have not been widely available to meet the specific needs of university students working with lasers in research laboratories. T...

ILSC 2007 Paper #604 (The Importance of Hands-on Learning)

The Importance of Hands-on Learning
Authors:
Leah Cridlin, Rockwell Laser Industries, Inc.; Cincinnati OH USA
Presented at ILSC 2007

As trainers we must focus on the learners outcome. Hands-on learning allows students to incorporate what is being taught into real world situations, thus allowing them to retain more information. Adult learners need to understand why they are learning a new task/skill. People learn better through active experience than passive listening. People learn better through interacting with one another than working alone. Trends and Causes for Hands on Learning Include: Teaming of employees Many organizations have reduced their managerial hierarchies, empowered their empl...

ILSC 2007 Paper #701 (Laser Non-Beam Hazards - An Overview)

Laser Non-Beam Hazards - An Overview
Authors:
Ben Edwards, Duke University; Chapel Hill NC USA
C. Eugene Moss, Corning Inc.; Corning NY USA
Presented at ILSC 2007

Non-beam hazards (NBH) are those hazards that result from factors other than direct human exposure to a laser beam. NBH can pose a significant safety and regulatory concern. While the focus of the laser safety community has been justifiably dominated by the identification and control of laser beam hazards, safety professional also have an obligation to similarly address NBH. High power laser beams can blind, damage skin, and ignite combustible material, but it is NBH (e.g. electrocution) that have accounted for the fat...

ILSC 2007 Paper #702 (Non-Beam Hazards during Laser Machining)

Non-Beam Hazards during Laser Machining
Authors:
Anne Hahn, Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V.; Hannover Germany
Andreas Ostendorf, Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V.; Hannover Germany
Stephan Barcikowski, Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V.; Hannover Germany
Presented at ILSC 2007

Laser material processing is gaining increasing importance in micro and macro machining. During laser processing of polymers, metals, and ceramics dangerous air pollutants have to be considered with regard to occupational safety. Moreover, technical measures for the handling of Laser Generated Air Contaminants (LGACs) often contribute to more than 10 % of the operating costs of laser machinery. Therefore, data ar...

ILSC 2007 Paper #802 (Evaluating Alternate Laser Safety Barrier Materials: A Case Study)

Evaluating Alternate Laser Safety Barrier Materials: A Case Study
Authors:
Thomas Block, Rutgers University; Piscataway NJ USA
Presented at ILSC 2007

There are a wide variety of commercially manufactured laser barrier and curtain materials available to establish controlled areas and to contain any diffuse or reflected beams produced by laser systems. However, there may be circumstances where alternate laser barrier and curtain materials might be acceptable for certain applications and conditions of use instead of commercially available materials. While the ANSI Z136.1 standard establishes protective barrier and curtain performance criteria, it does not define specific testing criteria to evalua...

ILSC 2007 Paper #901 (Laser Operations at the JPL/NASA OCTL Facility)

Laser Operations at the JPL/NASA OCTL Facility
Authors:
Fred Battle, JPL; Pasadena CA USA
Keith Wilson, JPL; Pasadena CA USA
Presented at ILSC 2007

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has built and is now operating a state-of-the-art R&D optical communications telescope laboratory (OCTL). Designed to perform laser beam propagation and free space optical communications experiments, the OCTL will explore technologies and strategies to meet NASA's future needs for high bandwidth communications from Earth-orbiting and deep space probes. Laser beam propagation between ground and space is regulated by several governmental agencies. This is particularly applicable to high-brightness, Q-sw...

ILSC 2007 Paper #904 (Automatic Aircraft Detection to Support Aircraft Spotters during Outdoor Laser Propagation)

Automatic Aircraft Detection to Support Aircraft Spotters during Outdoor Laser Propagation
Authors:
Brian Smithgall, Image Labs International; Bozeman MT USA
Keith Wilson, Jet Propulsion Laboratory; Pasadena CA USA
Presented at ILSC 2007

Image Labs International, in conjunction with Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has developed a Sky Sentry system to support safe laser beam transmission through navigable air space in the area around future optical communications ground stations. The system consists of coupled near-field and wide field long wave infrared cameras (to support daytime and nighttime operation) that detect aircraft and other flying objects out to 3.4 miles. Designed to ...