Laser Safety Program: Overview
See UC San Diego's Laser Safety Program requirements and responsibilities for researchers working with lasers or laser systems.
UC San Diego Laser Safety Program
UC San Diego's Laser Safety Program describes institutional and employee responsibilities for safe use of lasers and laser systems under UC San Diego campus jurisdiction and provides:
Controls required by the UC San Diego Laser Safety Program are determined by the hazard classification of a laser or laser system and how and where it will be used.
This program meets the requirements of the American National Standard for the Safe Use of Lasers (ANSI Z136.1 – 2007).
Responsibilities
- Laser Safety Committee – The UC San Diego Laser Safety Committee advises the Chancellor on laser safety issues, recommends and establishes UC San Diego policy, and has institutional authority to approve or rescind an investigator's authorization to work with lasers.
- Environment, Health & Safety – The EH&S Laser Safety Officer (LSO) is responsible for laser safety services that include consulting, evaluating, auditing, and enforcing the control of laser hazards.
- Principal investigators – PIs with class 3B or 4 lasers or laser systems must have a Laser Use Authorization (LUA) before beginning work. The PI is ultimately responsible for adhering to UC San Diego requirements for Class 3B and 4 lasers.
- Research staff – Personnel who will use lasers must enroll in the Laser Safety Program and have appropriate training to safely operate equipment.
Registration
Class 3B and 4 lasers and laser systems must be registered with EH&S. This includes all lasers owned by the UC San Diego campus or operated by personnel on UC San Diego campus payroll.
Auditing LUA compliance
- EH&S will conduct an annual audit of activities and areas under each LUA.
- If an audit identifies deficiencies, corrective action must be taken within 30 days of being notified.
- Deficiencies that constitute an imminent safety hazard must be corrected prior to the next use of the laser or laser system.
- The PI, LSO, or Area Safety Coordinator may request additional audits.
Related policies
- California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 3382 – General Industry Safety Orders, Eye and Face Protection
- California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 3203 – General Industry Safety Orders, Injury & Illness Prevention Program