Safe Operation And Protection Of Laser Equipment

As the popularity of laser equipment in the industry increases, the operating specifications of laser equipment are also particularly important; and because in actual production, if safety protection measures are not implemented thoroughly, the laser will cause irreversible damage to human eyes, skin and even organs. Serious consequences.

Therefore, a safe laser equipment usage environment and a series of standardized laser equipment operation procedures are particularly critical for controlling laser hazards and eliminating hidden dangers in laser production.

Classification of laser safety levels and corresponding possible hazards

Internationally in Europe and the United States, this standard is called the Federal Laser Product Performance Standard (FLPPS), and is divided into two parts labeled 21CFR subchapter 1040.10 (general requirements) and 1040.11 (special requirements). FLPPS divides the overall level of laser into four major hazard levels, depending on the possibility and harmful consequences of damage to living organisms caused by laser radiation.

(1)Safety level: Class 1 laser product
Laser power ranges within 0.5mWh are safe lasers. This type of laser will not cause harm to human health under normal conditions of use. It is commonly used in ordinary laser pointers, factory laser indicators, elevator laser detection tapes, etc. However, Staring directly for a long time may cause damage to human eyesight.

(2)Safety level: Level 2 laser product
The laser power range is between 0.5 millimeter and 1mWh, which is a low-power, visible laser. It is commonly used in outdoor long-range laser pointers, stage atmosphere lasers, etc. Under normal circumstances, such lasers will not have a major impact when directly irradiated on the skin. The human eye's blinking reflex in response to strong light stress can protect the eyeballs, but looking directly for too long can still cause danger. At the same time, a warning sign should be posted at the laser exit for secondary lasers.

(3)Safety level: Level 3 laser product
The three-level safety level of laser is divided into two types: 3a and 3b;

Class 3R laser: When the laser power range is between 1mWh and 5mWh, Class 3a laser is the same as Class 2. A "warning" sign needs to be posted at the laser light outlet. If it is only a short-term visual inspection, the protective reflection of light by the human eye will play a certain protective role. However, if the light spot enters the human eye when it is focused, this type of laser will cause damage to the human eye.

The laser power range of Class 3B laser is between 5mWh and 500mWh. It is a medium-power laser and is often used in long-distance laser surveying and mapping, medical laser beauty equipment and other application scenarios. Therefore, direct viewing or diffuse reflection into the eyeball for a short time may cause damage. However, if the light spot is not focused, the probability of causing fire or burning the skin is small. Class 3b lasers are generally labeled with a "danger" sign. It is recommended to wear basic laser protective glasses and protective clothing when using this class of lasers.

(4)Safety level: Level 4 laser product
The laser power range is above 500mWh, which is a medium-to-high power laser. It is commonly used in industrial-grade laser welding, cutting and other manufacturing equipment. This level of laser is very harmful to the eyes and skin, and direct or indirect reflection and diffuse reflection can cause harm to people. Causes damage to eyes and skin.

All Class 4 laser equipment must carry obvious "danger" warning signs. Class 4 lasers can also damage materials near the laser and ignite flammable substances. When using this class of lasers, you also need to wear eye protection like Class 3b. , when using higher power lasers at the same time, special laser protective glasses and laser protective clothing must be worn.

Environmental requirements for safe use of laser equipment

The type of laser used in the industrial processing field is a laser with a safety level of level 4. Improper use of this type of laser can cause great harm to the human body. Therefore, the following safety checks should be done in the environment where industrial-grade laser equipment is used.

(1) External environment of laser equipment
Before using industrial-grade laser marking, welding, cutting and cleaning equipment, make sure that all circuit wiring connections are normal, all shells of the equipment body are covered and all screws are tightened, to prevent laser leakage and ensure proper laser power control. . At the same time, unrelated personnel are strictly prohibited from entering the laser production area.

The operating environment requirements of laser equipment are relatively high. The humidity and dust particle concentration in the air should not be too high, and there should not be too strong vibration interference sources or electromagnetic interference. It is best to operate the laser equipment independently in a well-ventilated environment. room while ensuring a stable indoor temperature. If possible, it is best to install a constant temperature air conditioner or place it in a dust-free room with constant temperature and humidity.

In addition, the indoor operating space in the area where the laser equipment is placed should be kept bright. At the same time, walls, ceilings, doors, etc. should be made of non-flammable diffuse reflective materials. Window glass should be blocked with black curtains. Indoor appliances that are prone to mirror reflection should be replaced in a timely manner to reduce mirror reflection. Laser hazards to personnel.

(2) Internal environment of laser equipment
When using the above-mentioned laser equipment, you should carefully read the list of material types that are allowed to be operated with laser. It is strictly prohibited to use laser to operate with flammable, explosive, toxic and dangerous goods without production protection; when turning on the laser, you should check whether the warning light and alarm are For normal operation, workpiece waste should be removed in time during the operation to prevent contamination of the laser head or damage to the laser equipment caused by debris splashing. Pay attention to whether the beam baffle can block the potentially harmful laser beam.

Personal protection and preventive measures for laser operation
On the premise of ensuring the safety of the environment in which laser equipment is used, laser equipment operators themselves should also take appropriate laser protection, and laser production should also have corresponding safety precautions.

(1) Personal protection
When operating laser equipment, the laser beam and the eyes should not be at the same level (that is, the height of the visible laser beam cannot be at the same level as the eyes of the sitting or standing operator); workers must wear special laser protection in the working environment Radiation clothing, wear protective glasses with corresponding wavelength and laser OD value, and ensure that wearing protective glasses has a protective effect without obstructing the line of sight; do not approach areas with laser danger signs when the laser equipment is working; stay attentive when operating laser equipment Focus on responding to possible laser accidents in a timely manner.

(2) Preventive measures
In order to ensure the safety of laser production, the following safety precautions should also be noted: Each laser production equipment should be equipped with an emergency stop button and have obvious operating signs; laser equipment needs to be maintained at regular intervals. The content includes checking the complete cleaning of laser lenses, replacement of cooling water, laser maintenance and other items; especially checking whether the danger labels of laser equipment are clear and not falling off. Enterprises should regularly conduct safety training for employees operating laser equipment, improve laser production management systems, etc.

Conclusion
Whether it is industrial production or daily life, safety awareness should always be established in the application fields involving lasers; practitioners in the laser application industry should have professional professional qualities, strengthen social publicity about laser use safety, and jointly promote laser use safety.

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