New York Codes, Rules and Regulations › Title 12 - DEPARTMENT OF LABOR › Chapter I - Industrial Board Of Appeals › Subchapter A - The Industrial Code › Part 50 - Lasers › Section 50.13 - Special precautions

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 28, July 10, 2024
(a) No
				  individual shall look directly into a primary laser beam or directly at the
				  specular reflections of such a beam when the intensities of such beam or of
				  such reflections are greater than those listed in Table 1 of this Part (rule),
				  unless such individual is wearing approved eye protection in compliance with
				  the provisions of this Part (rule).
(b) Every laser beam shall be terminated
				  whenever necessary by a material that is non-reflecting and fire-retardant. In
				  cases of intentional beam interaction with targets, precautions shall be taken
				  to prevent fires arising from flying particles. In cases of unavoidable
				  reflections, precautions shall be taken to prevent the scatter of laser
				  radiation in excess of the limits listed in this Part (rule) into uncontrolled
				  areas.
(c) Under circumstances
				  where the conditions of laser operation can lead to accidental exposure to
				  laser radiation above the maximum permissible exposure limits as specified in
				  this Part (rule), an area shall be cleared of all individuals for a reasonable
				  distance on all sides of the anticipated path of the laser beam, except for
				  those individuals protected in compliance with the provisions of this Part
				  (rule).
(d) Special care shall be
				  taken to assure that approved safety eyewear is matched to the specific wave
				  length of the laser device with which it is to be used and that such eyewear
				  provides the required attenuation.
(e) Any approved safety eyewear which has
				  been exposed to high-intensity laser radiation shall not be reused until it has
				  been reevaluated for shattering and effectiveness of its attenuation.
(f) Laser beam paths shall be cleared of all
				  material or objects that may cause the scatter of laser radiation at levels in
				  excess of the limits listed in this Part (rule) into uncontrolled
				  areas.
(g) All unshielded lasers
				  which are capable of emitting radiation above the maximum permissible exposure
				  limits as listed in this Part (rule) shall be capped or otherwise effectively
				  terminated when not in operation.
(h) Interlocks used on enclosures for
				  high-intensity lasers shall not be used to actuate such lasers.
(i) Any closed laser installation with one or
				  more access openings large enough for entry by individuals shall have at least
				  one such opening provided with an exit door which can be manually opened with
				  ease from inside the laser installation.
(j) General illumination in laser radiation
				  areas shall be at least 30 lumens per square foot, except where conditions of
				  laser operation require lower ambient illumination.
(k) Electronic firing systems for pulsed
				  lasers shall be so designed that accidental discharges of stored charges are
				  prevented.
(l) "Fail-safe" safety
				  circuitry shall be used with lasers wherever necessary.