Industrial Laser Risk Assessment
Randolph Paura, P. Eng., CLSO, B11 LMSS | Dynamic Laser Solutions, Inc.River Cree Ballroom 1
This paper and presentation address the critical aspect of industrial laser risk assessment, emphasizing its importance at the onset of projects to ensure success in terms of budget, quality, productivity, safety, and compliance. A common misconception that Tables 12 and 13 alone from ANSI Z136.1-2022 “Safe Use of Lasers” are sufficient for a risk assessment speaks to the need for understanding what is meant for a risk assessment and what is required.
Content reviews first the foundational document IEC/ISO Guide 51 “Safety Aspects – Guidelines for their Inclusion in Standards”, which provides practical guidance to drafters of standards to assist them in including safety aspects in standards (ANSI, IEC, ISO, and others). The underlying principles of this Guide can also be used wherever safety aspects require consideration, and as a useful reference for other stakeholders such as designers, manufacturers, service providers, policy-makers and regulators. It then reviews how general equipment recommendations from ISO 12100 or ANSI B11.0 can be incorporated into a format or template specifically designed for industrial laser systems, particularly those used in the manufacturing sector. Additional recommendations are identified from Occupational Safety and Health organizations globally. The aim is to provide a comprehensive approach to risk assessment that goes beyond existing standards, as no one set format or template currently exists, but there is a trend! It underscores the need for a thorough and well-structured risk assessment process to ensure safety and compliance in the use of industrial laser systems. By following the guidance provided, users can ensure they are achieving Light Applied, Safely, Efficiently, and Reliably (a play on the L.A.S.E.R. acronym attributed by this author to Dr. David Sliney, Ph.D.).