Laser cleaning safety and setup

Treat this as a Class 4 laser workplace.

The 1064 nm cleaning beam is invisible near-infrared radiation. Class 4 equipment can cause serious eye and skin injury from the direct beam and hazardous reflections, including diffuse reflections. It can also start a fire.

A visible aiming light is not a reliable indication of the hazardous beam. A handheld cleaner is not suitable for uncontrolled use in an open workshop or around bystanders.

Use a competent risk assessment.

Before purchase and installation, obtain competent laser-safety advice for the actual machine, workpiece and environment. Employers must assess exposure to artificial optical radiation and implement appropriate controls, information and training.

Prefer engineered protection: a suitable enclosure or laser-controlled area, controlled access, appropriate interlocks, beam stops and arrangements for reflected energy. Assess walls, windows, doors, adjoining spaces and people who may enter the area.

Capture the removed material.

Rust, coatings, oils and residues can form hazardous fume and airborne particles. Identify the substances being removed and assess exposure. Provide extraction at the process, with filtration and discharge arrangements suitable for the contaminants.

Commission the extraction system to demonstrate effective capture. Maintain and examine it as required for the application. Arrange safe collection and disposal of residues and used filters. Outdoor work still needs an assessment of exposure and dispersion.

PPE supports the other controls.

Laser protective eyewear must be selected by a competent person for the wavelength, power and pulse characteristics of the actual equipment. An ordinary welding helmet or generic safety glasses are not evidence of suitable laser protection.

Consider skin protection and respiratory protection where the assessment requires them. Eyewear does not replace containment, interlocks, access control or effective extraction.

Before the first production job.

• Confirm the supplied machine documentation, UK electrical requirements and installation arrangements.
• Approve the laser risk assessment and the controlled-area design.
• Check interlocks, emergency stops and access controls with a competent person.
• Commission extraction and confirm filter and waste arrangements.
• Train authorised operators in the supplied equipment and local procedures.
• Define approved materials, cleaning recipes, inspections and emergency actions.
• Record maintenance and stop work when optics, cables, guarding or extraction are damaged.

This guide is purchasing and planning information. It does not replace a site-specific assessment, the supplied operating instructions or competent laser-safety training.

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Tell us what you need to clean.

Send the material, coating or contamination, approximate area, photographs and required finish. Carter will help narrow down the machine and the complete installation package.