Regarding laser use on campus, the below requirements must be satisfied for each lab. Detailed instructions for lab requirements can be found below. For detailed instruction on setting up a new lab and requirements and responsibilities of a laser user and Primary Investigator (PI) please refer to the Laser Safety Guide (pdf). It is the responsibilities of all PI's and laser users to not operate any laser until it is safe to do so, and all requirements are met. 

Steps:

  • Training: All users must complete the initial training and refresher training every two years thereafter.
  • Submit Authorized User Permit Form (pdf): This form will only be partially complete upon submittal. The Radiation Safety Office will hold the permit until all requirements are satisfied. 
  • Inventory: Complete the laser inventory record and submit to the LSO for hazard analysis. For less than five lasers, use the permit form above, if more than five use the inventory form (doc) and attach to the permit form.
  • Hazard Analysis: conducted by the LSO with information gathered from the Principal Investigator (PI), the permit form and/or inventory, and the lasers environment (room, controls, etc.).
  • Required equipment: this is based on the hazard analysis of the laser in the environment so consult with the LSO for assistance. The lab must be set up as to ensure laser safety, here is our facilities laser lab build and design page for guidance. The radiation safety office does not provide laser safety equipment, that is the responsibility of the Primary investigator. The office will however provide advice on the possible solutions for ensuring laser safety (different controls, methods, etc.). A list of laser and supply vendors can be used to acquire safety supplies. 
  • Standard Operating Procedures (SOP): specific to the laser, setup, and safeguards. This document is written with many procedural steps, some of which may not be applicable to your application (delete those not applicable). The document is written to save time in the writing process so please alter it to fit your needs. Once completed email a copy to the radiation safety office for review (must be approved by the LSO before laser use).
  • Alignment Procedures: If not doing alignments, disregard this step. Alignment procedures must be reviewed by the LSO. Below is a template alignment procedure to be used with one or more laser(s) or laser system(s) (e.g. pumping laser or seed laser to main laser, group of same wavelength lasers in the lab, consult Radiation Safety if unsure). This procedure can be incorporated into the SOP, for ease, as long as all trained individuals are trained to conduct alignments as well. This document is written with many procedural steps, some of which may not be applicable to your application. The document is written to save time in the writing process so please alter it to fit your needs. Once completed email a copy to the radiation safety office for review (must be approved by the LSO).
  • Inspection criteria: The radiation safety office inspects laser labs on the criteria of the current Massachusetts regulation, 105.CMR.121 (adopts the ANSI Z136.1 Std.), and university laser policy. To ensure their are no surprises, we have provided below our the inspection criteria form (and guidance on how to use it). This can also be helpful for new users to review prior to lab setup.
  • Purchasing restrictions: The LSO shall be contacted if a new laser is bought, prior to its use. Ordering through the UML procurement system, the laser commodity code must be used (commodity code 41115307, and acct 763210, or 767550)
  • Disposition: Any laser removed, discarded, or broken without the intent of repairing, must be communicated to radiation safety so we can remove it from our inventory thus no longer needing to ensure compliance with use regulations