Lasers & Radiation Laser Safety

INDEX

Laser Safety

Laser Eye Exam Authorization (pdf)

Laser Pointer Safety Fact Sheet

Laser Use Registration (pdf)

Radiation Safety

Radiation-producing Devices (X-ray machines)

New Radioactive Use Applicants

Procuring Radioactive Materials

Current Radioactive Use Authorization Holders

Application for Radiation Use Authorization (pdf)

Enrollment for New Users (Principal Investigators) (pdf)

Pregnancy Declaration Letter (pdf)

Instruction Concerning Pre-natal Radiation Exposure (pdf)

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Laser Safety

The word laser is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.Lasers are used as research and teaching aides in departments like Chemistry & Biochemistry and Physics & Astronomy. The COSE laser safety program applies to fixed medium and high powered lasers (Class 3 and 4) that are capable of causing eye or skin injury or fire, and may pose hazards from high voltage, high pressure, hazardous chemicals or radiation.

Laser Program

The Non-Ionizing Radiation Committee (NIRC), composed of faculty and staff, oversees the laser safety program and also reviews and approves laser use registration (LUR) applications.

The COSE Laser Safety Officer (LSO) provides laser safety training to all laser users, conducts inspections and, upon request, provides advice about selection of eye protection, setting up a laser, and other laser safety information.

All Class 3b and Class 4 lasers must be registered with the NIRC before they can be put into service. Fill out the Laser Use Registration (LUR) and submit it to the laser safety officer.

Laser Use Registration (pdf)

Laser pointers, while not covered under the COSE Laser Safety Program, still pose risks of eye and skin injuries if misused. For more information, click on the Laser Pointer Safety Fact Sheet below.

Laser Pointer Safety Fact Sheet

Laser Users

All personnel that use Class 3 and 4 lasers must become “Authorized Users” under the program. This requires an initial laser safety orientation, a laser eye exam, and equipment-specific user training. The eye exam authorization form below also serves as a request for enrollment in the laser safety program. The laser supervisor needs to sign in before submitting it to the Laser Safety Officer for approval to take the eye exam.

Laser Eye Exam Authorization (pdf)