RADIATION SAFETY (GENERAL) REGULATIONS 1983 - SCHEDULE 14
RADIATION SAFETY (GENERAL) REGULATIONS 1983 - SCHEDULE 14
[Regulation 55]
Requirements to be complied with in respect of premises in which class 4
lasers are operated or used
1. The entire beam
path of the laser shall be enclosed and that enclosure shall be equipped with
interlocks in accordance with Section 4.3 of the laser safety standard in
order to prevent the operation or use of the laser if that enclosure is not
properly installed.
2. The laser or its
laser system shall be provided with a master switch which, when a key,
magnetic card, cipher combination or other similar device is removed makes it
impossible to operate the laser or its laser system.
3. The beam of the
laser or its laser system shall be terminated in an absorbent fire resistant
material, which shall be inspected periodically for signs of deterioration.
4. If the laser or its
laser system is operated or used without its entire beam path and interaction
site enclosed, that operation or use shall take place in a controlled area
which is permanently isolated from other areas within the premises concerned.
5. Except in medical
laser installations, safety latches or interlocks designed —
(a) to
prevent uncontrolled entry into; and
(b) to
enable rapid exit from; and
(c) to
enable rapid entry in an emergency into,
the controlled area
referred to in item 4 shall be installed.
6. It shall be
possible temporarily to override entrance safety switches to permit persons to
operate or use the laser or its laser system whilst that operation or use is
continuous.
7. In the case of a
pulsed laser, power supplies thereto shall be as far therefrom as possible.
8. In industrial laser
installations, the laser or its laser system shall be —
(a)
operated or used; and
(b)
monitored by means of closed circuit television or through a viewing window of
approved design,
from a position
outside the controlled area referred to in item 4.
9. A control switch
shall be situated in the controlled area referred to in item 4 for the
purpose of switching off the laser in the event of an emergency.
10. Surfaces within
the controlled area referred to in item 4 must be rendered
non‑reflective by means of approved materials to reduce the possibility
of hazardous diffuse reflections.
11. In the case of an
infrared laser, surfaces within the controlled area referred to in item 4
which are exposed to reflections from that laser shall be protected by
screening with approved fire‑resistant material close to the reflecting
source of that laser.
[12, 13. deleted]
14. Approved ear
protection shall be provided for persons operating or using the laser during
noisy applications thereof.
15. The requirements
of Part IV shall be complied with in respect of any ionising radiation
produced by the laser.
16. High pressure arc
lamps and filament lamps in the laser or its laser system shall be enclosed in
housings capable of withstanding the maximum explosive pressures resulting
from the disintegration of those lamps.
17. The target of the
laser and elements of its optical train which are liable to shatter during the
operation or use of the laser shall be enclosed in housings or otherwise
protected to prevent injury as a result of any such shattering to persons
operating, using or observing the laser.
18. Approved shielding
shall be provided in respect of ultraviolet, visible and infrared collateral
radiation from a laser discharge tube, optical pump source or other part of
the laser or its laser system.
[19. deleted]
20. The illuminance
level in the controlled area referred to in item 4 shall be not less than 350
lux at all working sites during the operation or use of the laser.
21. An alarm system,
consisting of lights visible through protective eyewear, shall be used to give
warning of the operation or use of the laser.
22. Area warning signs
complying with Section 10.5 of the laser safety standard shall be
displayed at the entrance to the controlled area referred to in item 4.
23. All persons having
access to the controlled area referred to in item 4 shall be authorised to do
so by or on behalf of the person in whose name the premises concerned are
registered.
24. Persons operating
or using the laser system are to undergo eye examinations in accordance with
section 10.11 of the laser safety standard.
[Schedule XIV amended: Gazette
10 Oct 1986 p. 3846; 15 Oct 1996 p. 5452;
17 Aug 2010 p. 4048; 20 Sep 2016 p. 3968;
7 Mar 2017 p. 1527.]