RISK ASSESSMENT: LASER: SEH-RA-009

RA No.: / Date: Click here to enter a date. / Version No.:
Project title:
SECTION 1: GENERAL INFORMATION
Campus location: / Building / Level /Room no.: / Date: Click here to enter a date. / College: / School / Discipline / Facility:
Supervisor / Position:
1. / Person undertaking the activity / Position:
2. / Laser Safety Officer (LSO) / Position:
Name of laser product: / RMIT asset number: / Serial number: / Manufacturer / Supplier:
Laser classification:
☐4 ☐3B ☐3R ☐2M ☐2 ☐1M ☐1 / Pulse energy (mJ): / Beam wavelength/s (nm): / Beam diameter / radius (mm):
Level of beam scatter: ☐High ☐Medium ☐Low / Laser power (W): / Beam divergence (beam spread) (mrad): / Pulse duration / width / length (s):
Beam reflection: ☐Specular ☐Optical ☐Diffuse ☐Other (specify): / Pulse repletion rate (Hz): / Optical intensity / irradiance (W/m2): / Beam path enclosed: ☐Yes ☐No
Beam path alignment relative to optical bench: ☐Horizontal ☐Vertical
☐Angular (specify): / Laser beam delivery: ☐Air ☐Fibre optics ☐Beam tubes
☐Other (specify):
Viewing height relative to optical bench:
Note: Laser should be mounted well below eye level. / Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE):
(Note: Refer to LSO for this information) / Nominal Ocular Hazard Distance (NOHD):
(Note: Refer to LSO for this information)
LASER SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
Room Laser Warning Signs:
Required for 3R non visible emission and 3B & 4.
Note: Room warning signs are not required for 1, 1M, 2, 2M.
☐Room Laser Warning Sign / Laser Warning light:
Required for 3R non visible emission and 3B & 4.
Note: Light outside laser room must be lit indicating when laser is operational.
☐Laser Warning light
Beam Stops and Attenuators
Note: Beam path should be terminated for class 1M, 2M, 3R, 3B and 4 by diffusely reflecting material of appropriate reflectivity and thermal properties by absorbers.
☐Beam stops
☐Beam dump / attenuator
Laser Key controls:
For 3B and 4: Key Control is mandatory
Note: Each 3B and 4 laser system shall incorporate a key operated master control. The key shall be removed when not in use rendering the laser non-operational.
☐Key Control
Electrically interlocked Laser Safe Window Covering
For any windows inside a room where 3R non visible emission and 3B & 4 lasers are used, electrically interlocked blinds must be fitted to ensure blinds are secured with operation of the laser.
☐Interlocked window covering
Additional Laser beam controls:
☐Anodized black metal baffles
☐Black curtains
☐Beam path covers
☐Non-reflective surface cover
☐Other (specify): / PPE:☐ Laser safety goggles
(specify optical density rating):
☐ Protective clothing (specify):
☐ Respirators
☐ Gloves
☐ Other (specify): / Eye test requirement: ☐Yes ☐No
If yes, specify dates and frequency:
Description of main work / activity for which the laser product is used
Additional requirements for laser use / Provide details / record if any boxes are checked
☐Induction ☐Certified training
☐SWI / SOP / Manufacturer’s instructions / ☐Experience ☐Restricted area
☐Other (specify):
Additional First aid and emergency requirements / Provide details / record if any boxes are checked
☐Specialised spill kits
☐Safety shower / Eyewash / ☐Respirator ☐Specialised first aid kits
☐Other (specify):
SECTION 2. RISK SCOREMATRIX
FACTOR / CLASSIFICATION / RATING / RISK SCORE / DEFINITION AND REQUIREDACTIONS
CONSEQUENCES
Most probable resultof the potentialaccident. / Consequence: / C / >500 / ExtremeRisk
This activity / process must not be implemented. An alternative must befound.
a. Catastrophe; numerous fatalities; major disruption ofactivities / 100
b. Disaster; multiplefatalities / 50
c. Very serious;fatality / 25
d. Serious; permanent disability / 15
e. Moderate; serious but non-permanent disability / 5 / 300 –499 / HighRisk
This activity / process must not be implemented without management approval.
f.Minor;minorcuts,bruises,burns (first aid treatment required) / 1
EXPOSURE
The frequency of exposure to thehazard. / Exposure: / E
a. Continuously (or many timesdaily) / 10
b. Frequently (approximately oncedaily) / 6 / 100 –299 / SubstantialRisk
Unless there is no alternative this activity should not be implemented. Requires managementapproval.
c. Occasionally (from once per week to once permonth) / 3
d. Infrequent (from once per month to once peryear) / 2
e. Rarely (once every 2 - 4 years) / 1
f. Very rarely (once every 5 years or more) / 0.5 / 50 -99 / MediumRisk
Hazard must be examined against current standards to determine whether adequatelycontrolled.
Requires managementoversight.
PROBABILITY
Likelihood that the consequence willoccur once the individual is exposed to thehazard. / Probability: / P
a. Almost certain or expected result / 10
b. Quite possible / not unusual / 6
c. Would be an unusual sequence or coincidence / 3 / 10 -49 / LowRisk
Manage by routine procedures. Caution must beobserved.
d. Would be a remotely possible coincidence / 1
e.Hasneverhappenedaftermanyyearsofexposure,butisconceivable / 0.5
f. Practically impossible sequence (has never happened) / 0.1
RISK SCORE CALCULATIONS: / CONSEQUENCE(C) / X / EXPOSURE(E) / X / PROBABILITY(P) / = / RISKSCORE
SECTION 3: HAZARD IDENTIFICATION AND RISK ANALYSIS
What you should do for each stage of laser risk assessment: / Hierarchy of control (Control type)
  • Provide hazard description for every activity or process you plan to undertake.
  • Determine the risk score (i.e. the risk without any controls in place) by referencing the risk score matrix in Section 2.
  • Specify the risk control type and control description for each hazard in Section 4.
  • Determine the residual risk score by again referencing the risk score matrix in Section 2.
/ 1) Elimination: Can the hazard be eliminated? Most effective
2) Substitution: Less hazardous alternatives.
3) Isolation: Separate operator form risk.
4) Engineering: Re-designing plant or equipment.
5) Administration: Minimising exposure time,
changing SOP, training,
supervision, job rotation etc. Least effective
6) PPE: Use appropriate personal protective equipment.
  • Hierarchy of controls are put in place to decrease the level of hazard.
  • Select the most effective controls in preference to least effective ones as much as practicable.
  • Combination of control measures may be used to reduce risk.
  • PPE is only to be used in addition to controls 1 - 5.

Activity / Process description
(step-by-step description) / Hazard / Risk identification
(specify for each step) / Risk Score
C / E / P / Score
Use:
Beam delivery system:
Laser process:
Environment:
Other :

Note:Add more rows if required.

SECTION 4: RISK CONTROL PLAN
Hazard / Risk
(from Section 3) / Risk control measures required to reduce the risk as far as practicable
(select control type and provide details) / Residual risk / Responsible person (implementation and monitoring) / Date completed
C / E / P / Score
Use: / ☐Elimination
☐Substitution
☐Isolation
☐Engineering
☐Administration
☐PPE
Beam delivery system: / ☐Elimination
☐Substitution
☐Isolation
☐Engineering
☐Administration
☐PPE
Laser process: / ☐Elimination
☐Substitution
☐Isolation
☐Engineering
☐Administration
☐PPE
Environment: / ☐Elimination
☐Substitution
☐Isolation
☐Engineering
☐Administration
☐PPE
SECTION 5: CONSULTATION
Consult with technical staff or equivalent(e.g. Research Officer) in the local area to ensure all RISKS AND HAZARDS have been identified and appropriate controls are in place (signature not required).
Position / Name / Comment (optional)
Technical Officer (or equivalent)
SECTION 6: APPROVAL
Position / Name / Signature / Date
Supervisor / Click here to enter a date. /
Person undertaking activity / Click here to enter a date. /
LSO / Click here to enter a date. /
Other / Click here to enter a date. /
Discipline Leader (where residual risk score for any risk/hazard is 50 or above) / Click here to enter a date. /
SECTION 7: REVIEW
Risk assessment should be reviewed if any changes to the activity / laser product are made or otherwise every 3 years from date of approval (new version number required).
Position / Name / Signature / Date
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COMMENTS/ADDENDUM:

Author: Technical Team OHS – SEH College

Document number: SEH-RA-009

Version: 001 09/05/2017 Page 1 of 6