Responding to accidents is an important element of any organization’s safety program. Robust emergency response plans are developed for accident scenarios involving fire, natural disasters, chemical spills or radiological contamination. Yet few institutions can point to a comparable plan for incidents resulting in a laser-related injury. Laser-related incidents are happening at a frequency that warrants the development of an institutional process for responding to laser accidents. Is the Laser Safety Officer (LSO) prepared to take that call and respond to an injury? Laser-related accidents often require a medical diagnosis. Have medical staff capable of providing diagnosis and effective care been identified?
The Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBNL) has adopted a structured approach to provide guidance for initial response, conducting investigations, and implementation (and verification) of corrective actions. This process may also be used for investigating near misses, management concerns, or notable events. It was developed using the basic principles of incident response involving an injured or contaminated individual; resulting in a process familiar to industrial hygienists, health physicists, or other safety-trained personnel. The approach allows for a graded, flexible plan that can be adapted to serve any institution.