Laser Safety Checklist

Use this Laser Safety Checklist to verify protective gear, equipment settings, and hazard controls before operating lasers, ensuring safe work conditions.

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Health & Safety
Laser Safety Checklist

Administrative And Procedural Controls

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Beam Hazard Controls

Pre-Check Operations

Operational Usage - Controlled Non-Beam Hazards

Chemical Storage & Safety

Compressed Air And Compressed Gases

Hazardous Waste & Materials Disposal And Recycling

Manuals, Training, SOPs, SDSs, Occupational Health

Safety Equipment And Emergency Preparedness

Electrical Safety

Fire Prevention And Protection

General & Miscellaneous Safety

General Work Environment & Indoor Air Quality

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Laser Safety Checklist

Use this Laser Safety Checklist to verify protective gear, equipment settings, and hazard controls before operating lasers, ensuring safe work conditions.

1. Is the laser sign posted on the laboratory door (entrance)? (OSHA Technical Manual, Section III)

2. Are proper warning signs posted around laser operation? (OSHA Technical Manual, Section III)

3. Is access restricted to lab personnel, and is the lab door kept locked? (OSHA Technical Manual, Section III)

4. Have new lasers been registered with the Environmental Health & Safety Office? (Organizational policy/procedure)

5. Has any laser made or modified on campus been registered with the Environmental Health & Safety Office? (Organizational policy/procedure)

6. Are written Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for photonics/laser usage available? (OSHA Technical Manual, Section III)

7. Are written operating, maintenance, and alignment procedures kept with the laser equipment? (OSHA Technical Manual, Section III)

1. Are goggles appropriate for the laser used and in use? (29CFR1910.133(a)(2)(i); 21CFR1040)

2. Are appropriate goggles available for visitors? (29CFR1910.133(a)(2)(i); 21CFR1040)

3. Are viewing cards for non-visible beams available? (SOP)

4. Is signage for Class 3 and 4 lasers posted to indicate that eyewear is required to operate the device? (OSHA Technical Manual, Section III; 21CFR1040)

5. Is other appropriate PPE available for the intended use? (29CFR1910.1030(d)(3)(i))

1. Is the protective housing intact, and are interlocks tested, or are alternative controls reviewed by the PI and stated in the SOP? (OSHA Technical Manual, Section III)

2. Is access to the laser controlled to prevent accidental exposure to laser beams by posting or controlling the entrance? (OSHA Technical Manual, Section III)

3. Are laser-controlled areas posted, and is equipment labeled with approved signs and labels? (OSHA Technical Manual, Section III; 21CFR1040)

4. Are windows and ports that could allow a laser beam to stray into uncontrolled areas covered or protected during laser operation? (OSHA Technical Manual, Section III)

5. Are beam stops present at the end of all beam paths? (OSHA Technical Manual, Section III; 21CFR1040)

6. Are barriers or screens, if present, designed to withstand either direct or diffusely scattered beams? (OSHA Technical Manual, Section III; 21CFR1040)

7. Is there no exposed wiring or electrical circuits, and is the device properly de-energized? (29CFR1910.147)

1. Is protective eyewear appropriate for laser operation and clean/free of damage?

2. Are all beams traced and dumped?

3. Is the optical bench free of unnecessary reflective items?

4. Is the beam path enclosed where possible?

5. If the beam crosses a walkway, are barriers posted (e.g., is a rope or chain placed across the path during operation)?

6. Are written Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) available?

7. Are written operating, maintenance, and alignment procedures kept with the laser equipment?

1. Are metallic fumes present?

2. Are chemical vapors present?

3. Is there a biological plume?

4. Is there a fire hazard?

5. Is there an explosive hazard?

6. Are compressed gases in use?

7. Are laser dyes in use?

8. Is there noise?

9. Is UV present?

10. Is ionizing radiation (e.g., x-rays) present?

11. Is there an electrical hazard?

12. Is there a thermal hazard?

13. Is exhaust ventilation adequate?

1. Are chemical containers properly labeled or tagged? (29CFR1910.1200(f)(6) & 1910.1450(h)(1)(ii))

2. Are chemicals segregated and stored by compatibility? (NFPA 45:8.2.4.2)

3. Are peroxide formers dated at purchase and again upon opening? (NFPA 45:13.4.2)

4. Are peroxide formers disposed of within proper time frames? (NFPA 45:13.4.2)

5. Is secondary containment used where appropriate? (40CFR261.175)

6. Is vacuum equipment trapped and/or filtered? (OSHA General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1))

7. Are chemical storage areas free of ignition sources? (29CFR1926.152(i)(2)(viii)(E))

8. Are refrigerators/freezers properly labeled? (NFPA 45)

9. Are refrigerators/freezers properly rated if flammable liquids are stored within? (NFPA 45:11.3.2.1)

10. Are fume hoods and/or biosafety cabinets not used for general storage? (NFPA 45:8.2.4.7)

11. Are cryogenic materials stored properly, and is proper PPE available? (29CFR1910.138 - Hand Protection)

12. Are flammable liquids in containers over 4 L stored in approved safety cans? (29CFR1910.106(d)(2)(i))

13. Is a corrosive storage cabinet used if more than 10 gallons of corrosives are present? (29CFR1910.106(d)(3)(i))

14. Are chemicals purchased in amounts that can be used within a reasonable time? (NFPA 45:12.3.1.1)

15. Are chemical stocks purged of old, outdated, and unusable chemicals? (NFPA 45:13.4.2)

16. Is the chemical inventory up to date? (40CFR704 - Reporting & Record Keeping)

1. Are air compressors equipped with pressure gauges and pressure relief valves? (29CFR1910.101(c))

2. Are compressed hoses (piping, fittings, etc.) removed from service if defective? (29CFR1926.350(f)(3))

3. Is compressed air used at 30 psi or less for machine/parts cleaning? (29CFR1926.302(b)(4))

4. Are compressed air cleaning nozzles equipped with chip/particle deflection devices? (29CFR1926.302(b)(4))

5. Do gas cylinders with 30 lb. or more water capacity have valve protection capability? (29CFR1910.253(a)(4)(b)(iv))

6. Are gas cylinders legibly marked as to their contents? (29CFR1910.253(a)(4)(b)(ii))

7. Are gas cylinders stored away from high heat, flames, etc.? (29CFR1910.253(b)(2))

8. Are gas cylinders stored in a secure area and secured from tipping or falling? (NFPA 45:10.1.5.1 & 29CFR1926.350(a)(7))

9. Are gas cylinders transported on special carts, with regulators removed and protected? (29CFR1926.350(a)(6))

10. When in use, are gas cylinders kept away from elevators, stairs, and ramps? (29CFR1926.350(a)(11))

11. Are valve protectors used when cylinders are not in use or when being transported? (29CFR1926.350(a)(1))

12. Are liquefied gas cylinders (e.g., acetylene) always shipped and stored valve-end up? (29CFR1926.350(b)(3))

13. Is the proper type of regulator used for the type of gas cylinder in use? (29CFR1910.101(c))

14. Are gas cylinders, valves, couplings, and regulators kept free of oil and grease? (29CFR1926.350(i) & 29CFR1910.253(b)(5))

15. Are gas cylinders free of obvious defects, leaks, damage, etc.? (29CFR1926.350(c)(3))

16. Are gas cylinders hydrotested at appropriate intervals? (49CFR173.40(d)(2))

17. Are empty gas cylinders labeled "Empty," with valves closed, caps on, and stored properly? (29CFR1926.350(a)(8))

18. Are oxygen and acetylene cylinders in storage separated by a 5' noncombustible barrier? (29CFR1926.350(a)(10))

1. Are waste storage areas (bins, totes) designated? (40CFR261.172)

2. Are waste containers properly labeled (e.g., chemical components, amounts, etc.)? (NFPA 45:13.4)

3. Are waste containers compatible with the waste to be stored? (NFPA 45:9.1.1)

4. Are only compatible chemical wastes stored in the same container? (NFPA 45:8.2.4.2)

5. Are waste containers kept closed except when adding waste? (40CFR265.173(a))