5. Non-beam Hazards

5.1 Electrical

Sources of electrical hazards: The most widely encountered non-beam hazard from lasers is electric shock, or even death, from sources of electricity. Sources of electrical hazard from lasers come primarily from the power supply of CW lasers and the capacitor banks of pulsed lasers.

Injury prevention: The following precautions should be followed to help prevent electrical injury when working around laser equipment:

• Use one hand when working around power supplies, capacitors, or other electrical equipment.
• Avoid wearing metallic items.
• Never handle electrical equipment when hands are wet or when standing on wet ground.
• Personnel should be trained in CPR in case an electrical accident occurs.

5.2 Chemical

Sources of chemical hazards: One of the major sources of chemical hazards from lasers is from the organic dyes used in dye lasers. Most dyes used in dye lasers are fluorescent organic compounds. Some dyes (the rhodamines) are considered to be mutagenic or carcinogenic, while other dyes (polymethine compounds) are toxic.

Additionally, some of the solvents used during dye preparation can be irritants, highly toxic, and/or highly reactive. Other hazards include gases from gas lasers, as well as gases that are formed by the interaction of the laser with target materials, and coolants such as liquid nitrogen.

Injury prevention: To prevent chemical accidents, the following are suggested:

• Preparation of dye solutions should be carried out in fume hoods and/or glove boxes.
• Personal protective equipment such as lab coats, gloves and goggles, should be worn during dye preparation.
• Dye solutions and reagents should be stored properly.
• Adequate ventilation shall be provided if gases are produced.

5.3 Optical

Sources of non-beam optical hazards: There are hazards from light generated by lasers which do not originate from the beam itself. These optical hazards include:

• UV light as a product of laser welding
• UV light from discharge tubes and pumping lamps
• visible and IR-A light from pumping systems

Injury prevention: Hazardous levels of non-beam optical emissions shall be shielded.