Therefore, only qualified personnel shall perform service or maintenance on lasers and their power supplies. At times, access to the laser cavity is required for maintenance of optical components or other purposes while the system is operating. Personnel must be acutely aware of the voltages present within the laser cavity and which components may be energized in order that precautions be taken to avoid contact. When the laser beam is capable of vaporizing target material, it may emit toxic contaminants into the laboratory atmosphere. If this is possible, provide suitable local exhaust of laser target areas.
Some lasers employ flowing gas systems.
Properly exhaust such gases and otherwise treat them as appropriate to their toxicity or hazard. Some lasers employ cryogenic coolants, and these materials must be properly handled. Address the hazards to skin or eyes associated with direct contact with ultra cold fluid. Also, provide proper exhaust of evaporating cryogenic liquid if sufficient cryogen is present to create a toxic or oxygen deficiency hazard. Some pump lamps, such as high pressure arc lamps, may be hazardous due to the possibility of lamp explosion.