906-0002-00 Rev 9 EN 2002 Rofin-Sinar UK Ltd Safety 1 - 5
The following precautions are pertinent for protection from 9.3 - 11.5
micron (µm) wavelength CO
2
laser energy only.
1. As a precaution against accidental CO
2
laser exposure to the output
beam or its reflection, anyone within the area should wear the
appropriate protective goggles with side shields.
2. The appropriate plastic prescription glasses may be substituted for
protective goggles at the individual's own risk since they do not have
side shield protection. (Glass can be shattered by a high power
density laser beam)
3. Contact lenses and reading (half) glasses do not provide sufficient
protection.
4. Glass windows normally provide sufficient protection from CO
2
laser
energy, to any outside 'passer-by'.
5. Never look directly into the carbon dioxide laser light source or
scattered laser light from reflective surfaces.
6. The working area must be shielded with metal, acrylic or
polycarbonate, and should incorporate a safety interlocked door.
7. The door interlock should be used to automatically disable the laser
when the guard door is opened. In addition, the door interlock circuit
should be designed or configured such that operator intervention is
required before the interlock circuit is remade, when the guard door is
opened and then closed by the operator.
ii) Skin Protection
If laser radiation is exposed to the skin it can burn and cut the flesh
causing temporary or permanent damage.
The following precautions are pertinent for protection from 9.3 - 11.5
micron (µm) wavelength CO
2
laser energy only.
1. Do not place hands or any other object in the pathway of the CO
2
laser beam.
2. The laser beam should never be turned on without a target to
absorb the energy.
3. Metallic objects will reflect the CO
2
laser beam. Blackened metallic
objects may also be reflective to the laser beam. Objects that are
brushed or dimpled will diffuse the laser beam. Items that absorb
the laser beam will become hot.
4. In the event of an emergency (laser or non-laser related), the
laser should be shutdown immediately. Some criteria for
emergency shutdown include the following:
• Faulty shutter operation
• Water leaking from the laser or its power supplies
• Fire
• Misuse of the laser
• Unauthorised use of the laser
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