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 Washington Administrative Code (Last Updated: November 23, 2016)
 Title 296. Labor and Industries, Department of
 Chapter 296-78. Safety standards for sawmills and woodworking operations.

  Section 296-78-725. Nonionizing radiation.  

Latest version.
  • (1) Only qualified and trained employees shall be assigned to install, operate, adjust, and maintain laser equipment. Proof of qualification of the laser equipment operator shall be available and in possession of operator at all times.
    (2) Employees, when working in areas in which a potentially hazardous exposure (see WAC 296-62-09005(4)) to direct or reflected laser radiation exists, shall be provided with antilaser eye protection devices specified in WAC 296-62-09005, general occupational health standards.
    (3) Areas in which lasers are used shall be posted with standard laser warning placards.
    (4) Beam shutters or caps shall be utilized, or the laser turned off, when laser transmission is not actually required. When the laser is left unattended for a substantial period of time, such as during lunch hour, overnight, or at change of shifts, the laser shall be turned off or shutters or caps shall be utilized.
    (5) The laser beam shall not be directed at employees.
    (6) Only mechanical or electronic means shall be used as a detector for guiding the internal alignment of the laser.
    (7) The laser equipment shall bear such labels, logos and data placards to indicate maximum output and class designation as required of the manufacturer at time of sale, by I.A.W. Part 1040, C.F.R. Title 21. Such labels, logos, data placards, etc., shall be maintained in a legible condition.
    (8) When it is raining or snowing, or when there is dust or fog in the air, and it is impracticable to cease laser system operation, employees shall be kept out of range of the area of source and target during such weather conditions.
    (9) Employees shall not be exposed to light intensities in excess of:
    (a) Direct staring: One micro-watt per square centimeter;
    (b) Incidental observing: One milliwatt per square centimeter;
    (c) Diffused reflected light: Two and one-half watts per square centimeter.
    (10) The laser equipment shall not be modified except by the manufacturer.
    (11) Laser unit in operation shall be set up above the heads of the employees, when possible.
    (12) Employees shall not be exposed to radio frequency/microwave radiation in excess of the permissible exposure limits specified in WAC 296-62-09005.
    [Statutory Authority: Chapter 49.17 RCW. WSR 96-17-056, § 296-78-725, filed 8/20/96, effective 10/15/96. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, 49.17.050 and 49.17.240. WSR 81-18-029 (Order 81-21), § 296-78-725, filed 8/27/81.]
Chapter 49.17 RCW. WSR 96-17-056, § 296-78-725, filed 8/20/96, effective 10/15/96. Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.040, 49.17.050 and 49.17.240. WSR 81-18-029 (Order 81-21), § 296-78-725, filed 8/27/81.

Rules

296-62-09005,296-62-09005,296-62-09005,