ABSTRACT

Non-Beam Hazards are all hazards arising from the presence of a laser system, excluding direct human exposure to direct or scattered laser radiation. When one looks at laser incidents, there is a high percentage of non-beam incidents, especially in the industrial setting. Laser facilities can pose a hazard to laser workers due to obstacles, ambient lighting, confined workplaces, indoor temperature, and humidity. The most classical non-beam hazards are electrical, and laser generated air contaminates. The laser ANSI standards break non-beam hazards into three broad categories: Physical, Chemical, and Biological. Electric shock is a very serious opportunistic hazard where the occurrence and outcome are difficult to predict, and loss of life has occurred during electrical servicing and testing of laser equipment incorporating high-voltage power supplies. Protection against accidental contact with energized conductors by means of a barrier system is the primary methodology to prevent electric shock accidents.