Post: Industrial Laser Applications and the Need for Laser Safety Glasses

Industrial Laser Applications and the Need for Laser Safety Glasses

SHOP LASER SAFETY GLASSES
SHOP LASER SAFETY GLASSES
SHOP LASER SAFETY GLASSES

Lasers have become indispensable tools in various industrial applications due to their unique capabilities. For instance, lasers can cut and drill materials without the need for physical tools, eliminating issues like tool wear, replacement, and excessive noise. They excel in machining tough materials such as ceramics and hard metals and can reach inaccessible areas through flexible optical fiber cables. Additionally, lasers are used in welding, ablating, annealing, and metal hardening operations.

One of the key advantages of lasers is their ability to deliver highly focused energy to a small area. This precision allows for cutting operations that minimize material waste and produce clean edges without burrs, common issues when using traditional cutting tools. Moreover, since lasers don’t exert physical force on the workpiece, complex jigs and fixtures are often unnecessary.

Lasers can be integrated into machining systems like 2D cutting systems or 3D printers, where they may be safely enclosed. However, in many cases, lasers are added to existing CNC machines or robotic arms without built-in safety features, increasing the risk to operators and nearby workers.

The Dangers of Industrial Lasers

While the properties that make lasers so useful also make them dangerous, particularly to unprotected workers. The same highly focused energy that allows for precise machining can cause severe harm, especially to the eyes. There are three primary hazardous properties of lasers:

Coherent Laser Beams: Lasers produce coherent beams that can travel long distances with minimal dispersion, meaning their energy intensity—and potential for injury—remains high even at a distance. High-powered lasers can concentrate a significant amount of energy into a tight, narrow beam, posing a threat to anyone within range, especially from stray reflections.

Visible Laser Beams: Lasers in the visible light spectrum behave similarly to ordinary light upon entering the eye. They pass through the transparent outer layer and are focused by the eye’s lens onto the retina, where they can destroy light-sensitive cells, leading to permanent central vision loss. The lens of the eye can amplify the laser’s energy intensity thousands of times, making even a brief exposure potentially devastating.

Invisible Laser Beams: Lasers emitting in the invisible light spectrum, such as ultraviolet or infrared, pose an additional risk because they are undetectable to the naked eye. A powerful invisible laser can cause immediate damage, while lower-powered beams can inflict harm over extended exposure. Without the ability to see the beam, individuals are less likely to blink or look away, increasing the risk of injury.

The Impact of Laser Accidents on Businesses

Laser accidents can have significant repercussions for businesses. Frequent incidents can lead to increased workers’ compensation insurance rates and result in the loss of skilled employees, particularly if they suffer permanent vision loss or other serious injuries. In cases where workers are not covered by workers’ compensation, such as independent contractors, businesses may face costly lawsuits.

To minimize these risks, it is crucial to adhere to safety protocols, employ knowledgeable laser safety officers, utilize safety technology, and ensure that all workers consistently wear laser safety glasses.

The Vital Role of Laser Safety Glasses in Industry

Depending on the type and power of the laser, accidental eye exposure can cause severe burns on the eye’s outer surface. Permanent scarring from such burns can lead to lasting vision impairment. Powerful lasers can also create microscopic plasma within the eye, leading to shockwaves that damage surrounding tissues, particularly the retina. Regardless of the specific injury mechanism, industrial lasers can cause significant vision loss and even permanent blindness.

SHOP LASER SAFETY GLASSES

While safety protocols and equipment interlocks are standard in industrial settings, they are not foolproof. Protocols can be overlooked, and equipment can malfunction. In contrast, properly selected and maintained laser safety glasses offer reliable protection, provided they are consistently worn.

Encouraging Compliance: Ensuring Employees Wear Laser Safety Glasses

Although making the wearing of laser safety glasses mandatory is a start, enforcement alone may not be enough to prevent employees from removing them when unsupervised. Employees may take off their glasses if they perceive other issues as more pressing. Common concerns include:

Uncomfortable Glasses

Poorly fitting glasses can cause chronic discomfort or pain, leading employees to remove them whenever possible. Symptoms like pinching, rubbing, pain, and headaches are common with ill-fitting safety glasses. A one-size-fits-all approach can lead to widespread discomfort, causing many employees to remove their glasses at the first opportunity.

Unsafe Glasses

Glasses that do not fit properly may fall off or slide down the nose, rendering them ineffective at critical moments. Employees who view their glasses as unreliable are less likely to wear them consistently.

Unattractive Glasses

Personal appearance plays a role in whether employees are willing to wear their safety glasses. If the glasses make them feel unattractive or “geeky,” they may resist wearing them. This issue can be addressed by offering a variety of styles that appeal to different tastes.

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Finding the Right Fit

Providing a selection of laser safety glasses that cater to different face shapes, sizes, and style preferences can resolve many of these issues. At Phillips Safety Products, we offer a wide range of laser safety glasses that ensure a comfortable, secure fit and come in various attractive styles. Contact us to learn more about how our selection can meet your industrial safety needs.

If you still aren’t sure which laser safety products are right for you, it’s a good idea to give us a call at 1-866-575-1307 or talk to us through our chat or e-mail us at [email protected]

Our experts will be able to tell you what you need for your application.

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