This hazard classification applies to all experiments involving class 3B lasers.  Other hazard classifications and their associated hazard controls may also apply to experiments in this hazard class.

Class 3b lasers are a pulsed or CW, visible or invisible beam laser that produces sufficient power or energy to cause retinal or other injury to the eye from even momentary exposure to the direct beam or specular reflections.  Class 3 laser output cannot exceed 0.5 watts for periods >0.25 seconds or 0.125 joule for periods <0.25 seconds

Experiments involving previously reviewed hazard controls qualify for medium risk.

Experiments involving new equipment or modified hazard control schemes are categorized as high risk.

Prior to using a class 3b laser at the APS for the first time, appropriate engineered controls and procedural controls must be developed and implemented.  A Laser Control Area (LCA) must be established.  See the summary of laser operation requirements and model SOP.

Engineered Controls – The engineered controls for an existing reviewed and approved laser installation should already be in place and described in necessary detail in the applicable standard operating procedure.  Guidance for new installations is available at the link in the paragraph above.

Procedural Controls – All work with class 3b lasers must be performed in accordance with a standard operating procedure (SOP).  The procedure must be reviewed and approved by the APS and the Argonne Laser Safety Officer (LSO).  Experimenters can obtain copies of SOPs for existing laser facilities from the appropriate LCA Supervisor.  Guidance for new installations and a model SOP are available at the link in this section's introductory paragraph.  For a provisional laser installation an element may be considered without being fully implemented.  Use of ANL-610, Laser SOP template, is optional.

Design Reviews and Equipment Inspections – All class 3b lasers at Argonne must be registered with and reviewed by the Argonne Laser Safety Officer (LSO) and an ANL Laser Operating Permit, ANL-609A must be obtained.  Please contact the APS Laser Safety Officer (630-252-6714, [email protected]) to obtain an ANL-609A form.  All SOPs must be reviewed and approved by APS management.

Training –

• ESH120, Laser Safety Training
• Orientation to the standard operating procedure for the laser facility
• Note: If the Argonne LSO approved SOP for the laser system includes a "User Mode" of operation that utilizes engineered controls to reclassify the system as a Class 1 or Class 2 equivalent, then the requirement for training is waived for "User Mode" only operation.  Any mode of operation other than "User Mode" of the laser would reinstate the training requirements.

Signs and Labeling – Required signs and labeling should already be in place for previously reviewed laser facilities.  The requirements specific to an installation should be listed in the associated standard operating procedure.  The LCA must be posted with the most recently approved laser operating permit.  Lasers brought to the APS must have a label that clearly identifies the class of the laser.  The Argonne LSO or the APS will provide signs needed for new installations.

Personal Protective Equipment – PPE requirements for laser usage are specified in the associated standard operating procedure,

Dosimetry and Monitoring – As of March 1, 2018, Argonne has incorporated the latest laser safety ANSI standard (ANSI Z136.1 Standard for Safe Use of Lasers).   Adoption of this standard eliminates the baseline eye and termination examination requirements for class 3b and 4 laser users, which had been previously referred to as "Laser Worker Medical Certification".  However, workers who have a suspected accidental laser eye or skin exposure must report this incident immediately in accordance with LMS PROC-157: Incident Notification.

LMS-PROC-285: Laser Safety 03/14/2022 (Internal link)

Contact the APS User Safety Program with any questions or if the internal links are not working properly.