Publication Date: Dec 2003
Length: 480pp, illust
ISBN: Hardback 0750308591
Contents

• Preface/introduction
• Lasers, light and safety
• Quantifying levels of laser radiation
• Laser radiation hazards
• Product classification and manufacturing requirements
• Beam propagation and exposure assessment
• Additional laser hazards
• Assessment of laser risk
• Protective measures and safety controls
• The management of laser safety, Index

Full Text Contents

Synopsis
This book is intended as a practical and comprehensive handbook in laser safety for those using and working with lasers in industry, academic research, medicine and other areas, for those having responsibility for safety in organisations where lasers are in use, and also for those who manufacture lasers and laser-based products who need to classify the product, adopt manufacturer's requirements as well as to understand the safety issues and requirements involved in laser use.

Laser Safety explains in detail the biological effects of laser radiation, particularly on the eye, the provisions and requirements of the international laser safety standard IEC 60825-1 (including a full description of the recently revised system of laser classification) and discusses practical issues of risk assessment, safety controls, eye protection and laser safety management. It also explains the rationale for the often-complex laser emission and exposure limits given in the standard, and provides detailed guidance for using the standard to carry out quantitative laser assessments. The book provides a unique and readily-understandable review of current laser safety, covering both the underlying theory and practical applications.

Highlights

• Includes background information on relevant international standards.
• Discusses MPEs (exposure limits), classification procedure and manufacturer requirements in detail (including the differences between IEC and US requirements), for the first time in any book on laser safety.
• Written not only for the user (i.e. the laser safety officer), but also for the manufacturer and individuals involved in standardization, testing and defining national safety regulations.
• Also contains valuable information on the safety of LEDs and broadband sources.
• The chapter “Quantifying levels of laser radiation” discusses radiometry and optical radiation units in general (i.e. not only safety), so that it can be used as introductory text for this topic.
• Includes the latest changes of the international laser safety standard.
• Discusses product specific laser safety standards and standards on eye protection.
• Mentions shortcomings of current standards and possible future developments.
• Lists common misunderstandings in applying the standards and provides practical help by giving examples and case studies.