Regardless of the laser environment, the laser safety program instituted by management must by necessity provide for every potential laser hazard, yet at the same time must allow for potential laser hazard, yet at the same time must allow for maximum productivity. this balancing act is accomplished through proper planning, ingenuity, common sense, interpretation of the ANSI standards, and most importantly, knowledge of employees’ capabilities and level of responsibility. A case study for examining the effectiveness of proper organization and implementation of a laser safety program is evident at A.O. Smith Automotive company where the management has successfully provided both research and manufacturing staff with a productive as well as laser-safe environment.
Protection institution of a laser safety program begins with the selection of a committee with the ability to recognize/evaluate laser hazards and to refrain from restricting work flow with laser protective measures. The work of a good laser safety committee begins well before the purchase of a laser system, with input on safety requirements for determining the extent of the capital expenditure required. Several factors other than the cost of the laser become important prior to management approval for installation, i.e., facility modifications, training, auxiliary support systems or personnel (such as a qualified industrial hygienist), process times (or procedure and recovery times in the medical industry) with and without the laser, etc. Some recommendations are made to suggest the kinds of individuals that are useful on laser safety committees and the considerations they should make prior to purchase.
Experience shows that many application-oriented users of laser and laser systems acquire these lasers with only the goal of a specific task accomplishment in mind. A problem subsequently occurs, primarily, because they lack planning and implementation of a program to handle the safety requirements as previously mentioned.
Most people involved with Laser Safety have encountered experiences where the protective requirements were so restrictive that little work was possible and other environments where no safety precautions were observed. Through effective use of Laser Safety Programs, management and support staff have an opportunity to work in tandem to create an environment that allows for maximum productivity without accidents.