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It is the policy of ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ that all activities involving ionizing radiation or radiation emitting devices be conducted so as to keep hazards from radiation to a minimum.

Persons involved in these activities are expected to comply fully with the Canadian Nuclear Safety Act and all its regulations, with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and its regulations regarding X ray sources, lasers and sound.

¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ Health & Safety Policy requires conformance to health and safety regulations and standards. The ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ Laser Safety Program is provided to assist members of the university community to conform to the requirements of the Ontario Ministry of Labour, ANSI Z136.1- 1993 and related regulations and standards.

The Laser Safety Program applies to all persons: employees, students and visitors operating or working in proximity to Class 3b or Class 4 lasers. Persons included under this program are identified as Laser Workers. All components of the program are to be completed before a laser worker starts work.

Queen’s Laser Safety Program includes the following elements:

1. Laser Safety Roles Definitions and Duties
2. Laser Classification
3. Laser Hazards (beam and non-beam hazards)
4. Control Measurements
5. Laser Area Signs
6. Laser Inventory
7. Laser Safety Training
8. Medical Surveillance
9. Laser and laser systems internal inspections
10. Laser and laser system incidents report and investigations

Laser Safety Roles Definitions and Duties

Laser Safety Committee

The Laser Safety Committee is a sub-committee of the Radiation Safety Committee. The memberships include the Laser Safety Officer (LSO) and a faculty or staff member with expertise in laser technology or in the assessment of laser hazards. The committee meets once a year to review and amend the program if required.

Laser Safety Officer (LSO)

The Laser Safety Officer (LSO) is an individual designated by the employer with the authority and responsibility to effect the knowledgeable evaluation and control of laser hazards and to monitor and enforce the control of those hazards. The LSO at Queen’s University is the University Radiation Safety Officer (URSO).

Laser Supervisors 

Laser supervisors will be responsible for the education and training requirements for laser safety, the potential laser hazards, and associated control measures for all lasers under the supervisor's authority. The supervisor will be familiar with general operating procedures of lasers under their control.

Laser Workers

Laser workers are employees working with lasers or laser systems Class 3B and 4.

Spectators

Spectators shall not be permitted within a laser control area unless:

1.   Appropriate supervisory approval has been obtained

2.   The degree of hazard and avoidance procedure has been explained

3.   Appropriate protective measures are taken

Service Personnel

Personnel who require access to Class 3b or 4 lasers or laser systems enclosed with a protective housing or protected area enclosure shall comply with the appropriate control measures of the enclosed or embedded laser or laser system. The LSO should confirm that the service personnel have the education and safety training commensurate with the class of the laser or laser system contained within the protective housing.

Laser Classification

All lasers are classified by the manufacturer and labelled with the appropriate warning labels. Any modification of an existing laser or an unclassified laser must be classified by the Laser Safety Officer prior to use.

• Class 3B Lasers include lasers operating outside the retinal hazard region l< 400 nm and l>1400 nm. These lasers present an eye and skin hazard if viewed directly. This includes both intrabeam viewing and specular reflections. Class 3B lasers do not produce a hazardous diffuse reflection except when viewed at close proximity.

• Class 4 Lasers These are lasers that present an eye hazard from direct, specular and diffuse reflections. In addition, such lasers may be fire hazards and produce skin burns.

Control Measurements

• Class 1 and 1M – no control measures required except when access to an embedded Class 3B or 4 lasers during service or maintenance is required.

• Class 2,  2M and 3R  - no control measures required unless direct viewing aide is required or when the laser beam is left in operation unattended, and it is pointing to a location where it can be directly viewed by the general public and personnel that may be uninformed about the hazard.

• Class 3B – requires the approval of the appropriate control measures by the LSO to reduce the risk of a hazardous exposure to the eye from direct or specularly reflected beam. Control measure may also be required to prevent access to hazards from a diffuse reflection or fire hazard.

• Class 4 – requires the approval of the appropriate control measures by the LSO to reduce the risk of a hazardous exposure to the eye from direct, diffuse, or specularly reflected beam. Control measure may also be required for potential fire hazard, and other non-beam hazards (NBH) such as LGAC or plasma radiation.

Laser Area Signs

Laser area warning signs shall be posted in laboratories operating Class 2, 2M, 3R, 3B and 4 lasers. Use this link to access the standard area warning signs . Ensure they are posted at the entrance of the LCA or laboratory

The purpose of the signs is to convey a rapid visual hazard- alerting message of:

1. The presence of a laser hazard in the area
2. Specify procedure in effect relative to laser control,
3. Severity of the hazard, and
4. Appropriate action(s) to take to avoid the hazard

Laser Inventory

Any laser or laser containing system, must be registered with the Queen’s University Environmental Health and Safety Department before being used for the first time. The person in charge of the laser device needs to submit a Radiation Laser Registration Form.

Laser Safety Training

Laser safety training requirements depends on the magnitude of the potential laser hazard that it is operated in the laboratory. The training shall ensure that the users are knowledgeable of the potential hazards and the control measures for laser equipment they may have occasion to use. The training material can be accessed through the training section of the EH&S department Radiation Training | Office of Risk and Safety Services.

• A mandatory Laser Safety Training shall be completed by users of Class 3B and 4 lasers before commencing to work. A training certification will be provided upon passing the course with a score greater than 80% and an annual refresher must be taken to maintain this certification. Laser safety supervisors will ensure employees complete an annual refresher. 

• A Laser Safety Awareness is provided to users of class 1M, 2, 2M, and 3R lasers and laser systems and to employees operating laser systems that enclose higher power lasers.

• A Laser Pointer Safety information is available to all employee who might use a laser pointer as part of their job. Click on this link to access the presentation.

Medical Surveillance

The purpose of the medical surveillance program is to establish a baseline of ocular conditions before working with lasers at the University. It is important that any laser worker is assessed by an expert to detect early signs of any ocular damage and to initiate prompt treatment if required.

¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ employees and students working in or around laboratories with radiation or laser hazards may use the services of the Walsh and Associates Occupational Health Services clinic for routine matters such as:

• respiratory assessments related to respirator use for those with certain medical conditions
• eye screening (Central Field Testing using Amsler Charts) at the beginning and end of employment for Queen’s employees who use 3B and 4 lasers
• medical counselling as necessary for certain hazards for which a Queen’s SOP has been written

If there is an exposure incident for which you have a Standard Operating Procedure that indicates you should contact Walsh and Associates during normal business hours, contact their main office in Belleville at 613-966-4114.

• Outside of those defined incident types, or if unable to contact Walsh and Associates, if there is an exposure incident requiring urgent medical attention then workers should go to the Kingston Health Sciences Centre – Kingston General Hospital (KHSC – KGH) Emergency. Location of the  (Google Maps) at Kingston General Hospital.

Laser and laser systems internal inspections

The University LSO is responsible for conducting annual inspection of laboratories using Class 3B and 4 laser and laser systems to ensure compliance with the Laser Safety Program. The PI is responsible for reviewing and implementing any corrective action for all non-compliance or minor- findings listed in the inspection report. Records of inspections will be retained by the University LSO.

Laser and laser system incidents report and investigations

Laboratory Laser Supervisors or PI are responsible for reporting accidents and incidents involving lasers or laser systems. They must complete and sign an Incident Report and submit to the Environmental Health and Safety Department as soon as possible.

In case of Critical Injuries (E.g.: loss of sight in an eye, burns to major portion of the body) PI must also:

• • Ensure that the site of the accident remains undisturbed
  • Investigate and prepare a written report on the circumstances of the accident

Any laser worker with known or suspected injury will be referred to the University Occupational and Health Services (Walsh and Associates).

It is the policy of ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ that all activities involving ionizing radiation or radiation emitting devices be conducted so as to keep hazards from radiation to a minimum. Persons involved in any activities involving X-rays are expected to comply fully with the Ontario Regulation for X-ray Safety (Reg. 263/84), under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ X-Ray Safety Program is provided to assist members of the university community to conform with these requirements.

The possession, use and disposition of an X-ray machine is subject to the conditions specified in the R.R.O. 1990, Regulation 861 X-Ray Safety. 

An X-ray machine or source cannot be used at a workplace unless the employer is registered with the Ministry Office. 

If you are planning to use an X-ray source, we must register and receive approval from the Radiation Protection Service (RPS) before installing and using:

• a new X-ray source in a permanent location
• an X-ray source that is designed for portable or mobile use, that is regularly installed or used in one location

The registration process should start before purchasing or installing the machine.

¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ Radiation Safety Officer (RSO)is responsible for reviewing and submitting all applications upon receiving from the person requiring the machine the following documentation:

• Instrument manufacturer manual
• Operational procedure
• Intended use including duration, time of exposure and weekly frequency
• Proposed location

An inspection to the laboratory or area where the machine will be installed will be conducted before and after the installation to verify all permit conditions have been met.  

Please use the to register a new X-ray source.

Disposal 

For the disposal of an x-ray machine, the RSO shall observe the instructions provided by the manufacturer in the product manual or contact the manufacturer for information and guidance. 

In a case where a manufacturer is no longer in the business of manufacturing, selling, or servicing industrial x-ray equipment, the following procedures shall be followed:

• the vacuum in the x-ray tube must be breached.
• the x-ray tube window should be investigated to determine whether or not it contains beryllium, and if it does, special disposal procedures must apply since beryllium presents a toxic ingestion or inhalation hazard;
• the transformer oil, if this exists, must be disposed of in accordance with pertinent environmental legislation; and
• the lead must be recycled accordingly.

These steps will be taken by the department Radiation Safety Technician after completing the required Job Hazard Analysis.

All the information for an application, disposal or any questions related to X-Ray safety procedures can be sent to our office at the following addresses.

Useful links

If there is an exposure incident for which you have a Standard Operating Procedure that indicates you should contact Walsh and Associates during normal business hours, contact their main office in Belleville at 613-966-4114.

• Outside of those defined incident types, or if unable to contact Walsh and Associates, if there is an exposure incident requiring urgent medical attention then workers should go to the Kingston Health Sciences Centre – Kingston General Hospital (KHSC – KGH) Emergency. Location of the  (Google Maps) at Kingston General Hospital.

Routine radiation or laser related matters:

¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ employees and students working in or around laboratories with radiation or laser hazards may use the services of the Walsh and Associates Occupational Health Services clinic for routine matters such as:

• respiratory assessments related to respirator use for those with certain medical conditions
• eye screening (Central Field Testing using Amsler Charts) at the beginning and end of employment for Queen’s  employees who use 3b and 4 lasers
• medical counselling as necessary for certain hazards for which a Queen’s SOP has been written

For more information, including how to make appointments or how to create an SOP for specific potential hazard exposure incidents, see the document describing Walsh and Associates Occupational Health Services. (PDF 471 KB)

These radiation safety data sheets provide information on various nuclear substances: their radiation characteristics, detection methods, preventive measures and annual limits on intake. The data sheets are intended to provide WHMIS equivalent information for nuclear substances, similar to that presented in Material Safety Data Sheets.

Open Source Isotopes Commonly used at ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥

• Carbon-14 (PDF 102 KB)
• Hydrogen-3 (Tritium) (PDF 561 KB)
• Phosphorus-32 (PDF 562 KB)
• Phosphorus-33 (PDF 559 KB)
• Sulphur-35 (PDF 560 KB)

Other Isotopes

Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission - Radionuclide Information Booklet (PDF 1.28 MB)

Isotopes not included in above noted booklet

• Iron-59 (PDF 51 KB)
• Manganese-54 (PDF 50 KB)
• Radium-226 **Contact EH&S
• Thorium-232 **Contact EH&S
• Uranium-234 235 238 **Contact EH&S