In accordance with ANSI Z136.1, the U.S. Department of Energy enforces specific laser safety standards with its contractors. As a result of these requirements, Mound has developed an overall laser safety program as well as two courses on Laser Hazard Awareness that follow a performance-based training (PBT) approach. In May of 1990, as part of an overall update of laser safety awareness, a Laser Safety Committee was formed and internal policies were generated. The committee’s accomplishments in effecting a safety program based on ANSI Z136.1 include the following:
Instituting control measures (signs, interlocks, warning lights, etc.)
Creating laser audit forms for different laser types and classes.
Developing SOP’s and methods to assure engineering traceability.
Developing performance-based Laser hazard Awareness training courses.
Bringing Mound’s 70 lasers into complete compliance, which required 2500 manhours of effort.
Projecting the effort required to maintain compliance, which will be 200-300 manhours/year.
The Laser Safety Committee completed the development phase of this program in December 1990. The local DOE office and EG&G Mound management highly commended the program.