Purpose

The purpose of this procedure is to ensure the correct use of lasers, and to ensure that radiation protection work at NTNU complies with regulatory requirements and safeguards the safety of employees, students, and others at NTNU.

Scope and Anchoring

This procedure applies to all units, employees, and students at units that use lasers belonging to NTNU. The procedure is a measure to reduce the risk associated with working with lasers.

The Guidelines for radiation protection and use of radiation sources form the governing framework for this procedure.

Definition

A laser is an optical radiation source in the form of a narrow beam the room. The beam may be either visible or invisible, and is normally monochromatic (single-colored). The term "laser" in this procedure includes individual lasers, laser systems, and laser pointers.

Lasers are classified into hazard classes by the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA), based on their potential risk for injury, particularly to the eyes. The classification ranges from Class 1 (harmless) to Class 4 (most hazardous).

Responsibilities

Line Manager

The line manager holds the overall responsibility for sound radiation protection within the unit. The line manager shall perform the tasks described in the Guidelines for radiation protection and use of radiation sources.

The line manager shall ensure that there is a designated person with subject-matter responsibility and an instrument custodian for each Class 4 laser under the unit’s control.

The line manager shall see to that eye examinations is offered to individuals who will be working with Class 3B and Class 4 lasers. For further information, see Optical radiation sources and eye examinations.

Procedure for Working with Lasers

Local radiation protection coordinator

The local radiation protection coordinator shall, at a minimum, perform the tasks described in the Guidelines for radiation protection and use of radiation sources.

With regard to lasers, the local radiation protection coordinator shall additionally:

• Maintain an overview of new acquisitions, permanent relocations, and disposals of all Class 3B and Class 4 lasers.
• Submit notifications of new acquisitions, relocations, and disposals of Class 4 lasers to the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA) via the electronic reporting system.
• Submit an application form for the use of Class 3R, 3B, and 4 laser pointers to DSA via Min side. For assistance, contact the central radiation protection coordinator.
• Store a copy of the logbook and lists of authorized users for the past year’s activity involving Class 4 lasers at the unit. This information must be stored for ten years.

Academic supervisor

The academic supervisor for lasers shall, at a minimum, perform the tasks described in the Guidelines for radiation protection and use of radiation sources.

In addition, when using lasers, the academic supervisor shall:

• Assess which users possess sufficient competence to act as authorized users of Class 3B and Class 4 lasers.
  • Class 3B lasers: General authorization may be granted for all Class 3B lasers.
  • Class 4 lasers: Authorization must be granted for each individual Class 4 laser device. This must be documented using the form "Approval as authorized user of Class 4 laser at NTNU".
• Assess whether there is a need for a designated instrument custodian for Class 3B lasers and, if necessary, appoint such a person. The academic supervisor shall evaluate whether the candidate has the required competence to function as the instrument responsible person. If no instrument custodian is appointed, the academic supervisor shall assume the responsibilities described under the role of instrument responsible person.

Instrument custodian

The instrument custodian for lasers shall, at a minimum, perform the tasks described in the Guidelines for radiation protection and use of radiation sources. In addition the instrument custodian:

• Is responsible for the equipment, safety measures, and user training related to the specific laser.
• Shall ensure that informational materials are available for all Class 3B and Class 4 lasers.
• Shall ensure that a log and a list of authorized users are maintained for all Class 4 lasers.

Authorized users of Class 4 lasers

Authorized users of Class 4 lasers shall possess sufficient competence to assess and operate the laser in a safe manner.

Acquisition, relocation, and disposal of Class 3B and Class 4 lasers

Register any acquisition, permanent relocation, or disposal of Class 3B and Class 4 lasers with the local radiation protection coordinator.
For Class 4 lasers: The local radiation protection coordinator shall additionally submit a notification to the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA) via the electronic reporting system.

The unit shall not acquire, use, or handle a Class 4 laser until DSA has confirmed receipt of the notification regarding the acquisition.

In the case of temporary relocation within the unit: A new risk assessment shall be conducted, and necessary safety measures shall be implemented.

Laser pointers Class 3R, 3B, and 4

High-powered laser pointers (Class 3R, 3B, or 4) must not be acquired or used at NTNU without an approval for their use. The reason is that such laser pointers may cause eye injuries.

The Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA) must approve the use of Class 3R, 3B, and 4 laser pointers before they are acquired. The local or central radiation protection coordinator can apply for approval via Min side.
 

If laser pointers are discovered for which no approval exists:

• The laser pointer must be dismantled so that it cannot be used, and it must be delivered as electronic waste (EE waste).
• Report the discovery to the local radiation protection coordinator. The local radiation protection coordinator shall forward the non-conformance report to the central radiation protection coordinator and DSA.
• Report the non-conformance in NTNU’s deviation management system.

Note: Laser pointers purchased “on the street” may be incorrectly labeled.

Documentation

Information binder

Each individual Class 4 laser must be accompanied by the following documentation (recommended: a clearly visible binder):

General Information

• Name of the Instrument custodian, deputy and Local Radiation Protection Coordinator
• Key technical data about the apparatus
• Instrument-specific documentation

• References to (or copies of) data sheets, radiation protection regulations, and similar documentation
• Risk assessment

Specification of the content that should be available in the information binder

User instructions

• Instructions for practical use: startup, operation, shutdown, safety precautions, logging, locking, and, where applicable, use of radiation meters

Emergency procedures

• Refer to the central and local emergency response plans, specifically DFU10 accidents and incidents involving radiation sources
• Procedure for emergency response and actions in the event of an incident or accident involving a radiation source

Logbook

A log must be maintained for all Class 4 lasers with the following content:

• Names of users
• Date, duration, type of work, and other relevant technical information
• Service work and significant changes to the instrument configuration

The logbook shall be kept near the apparatus. Maintaining a logbook is also recommended for high-powered Class 3B lasers.

Safety and technical requirements

Labelling and signage

Lasers must be labelled in accordance with Norwegian standard NEK EN 60825-1 .

The labelling must include:

• Laser beam output ports
• Classification
• Warning not to open beam outlet covers
• Warning about potential invisible radiation
• Product information label affixed to the laser device

The labelling must be in Norwegian. If necessary, the same information should also be provided in other languages.

A list of authorized users should be available near each Class 4 laser.

Physical Barriers

Laser beam paths must be enclosed as much as possible, and all radiation sources must be protected against theft, sabotage, fire, and water damage. See also Physical security of radiation sources in the Guidelines for radiation protection and use of radiation sources. Rooms or areas with Class 3B and Class 4 lasers must have:

• Restricted access that prevents unauthorized persons from:
  • Entering areas where exposure could exceed hazard thresholds (see NEK EN 60825-1 for details)
  • Committing theft or sabotage
• Warning signs (triangle symbol indicating laser radiation), preferably accompanied by basic radiation information and mandatory use of protective equipment (e.g., goggles)
• Room cards where lasers are listed
• Technical measures to prevent theft or sabotage (e.g., bolted or locked equipment)
• Technical measures to protect lasers from fire, water damage, or other forms of harm

For class 3R lasers, similar safety measures may be appropriate based on risk assessment.

Protective equipment

Appropriate protective equipment must be available and used if other measures do not provide sufficient protection. This includes:

• Laser safety goggles for all present when lasers capable of causing eye damage are in use. The goggles must be certified and clearly marked for the specific laser they are intended for.
• Laser-specific goggles for alignment or similar tasks must be available as needed. These goggles must attenuate radiation to Class 2 levels.
• Face shields, flame-retardant clothing, gloves, and similar equipment must be available where there is a risk of skin injury—particularly relevant for certain high-power Class 4 lasers.
• Necessary shielding and other physical barriers to prevent individuals or nearby activities from being exposed to hazardous laser radiation.

Eye Injury

In the event of an accident that may have caused an eye injury: the person must undergo an eye examination as soon as possible, and no later than 24 hours after the incident.

For emergency help or outside normal working hours: Call 113. During regular working hours: Contact the Occupational Health Service for a referral to an eye specialist.

If chronic injury is suspected or confirmed, the occupational physician shall refer the employee/student to an ophthalmologist for examination.

• Note: Symptoms of eye injury may be delayed. If there is any uncertainty about injury, seek medical attention from a general practitioner or eye specialist.
• Follow the local emergency response plan, DFU10: Accidents and Incidents Involving Radiation Sources.