What training should students and instructors complete before using a laser cutter?

Question

Accepted Answer

Training should be specific to the equipment and model and completed before first use.

Training should be specific to the equipment and model and completed before first use. MIT says it should be specific to the manufacturer and model, and Carnegie Mellon requires it of all personnel before initial use. This answer assumes an enclosed, interlocked Class 1 or Class 2 machine; if yours is open-frame, has a pass-through, or is Class 3B or 4 in normal use, it is not covered, a laser safety officer and a written program come first, and if you cannot designate one, the answer is not yet. Training before first use, authorization, and retraining for a laser cutter A three-step path across the top: train on your own machine and model before first use, authorization as a program decision after training requirements are met, and retrain when the machine, the material list or the procedure changes. Below left, a list of what training covers: the operating procedure for your machine, the approved-material list, exhaust and filter checks, housekeeping, and the stop conditions. Below right, four things everyone who runs a job must do without hesitation: any flame means stop and do not open the lid; if the fire alarm sounds evacuate and never return; never leave a running job; and if smoke or fumes are smelled the machine does not run until resolved. A note at the bottom says the ANSI education standard lists training as not required for Class 1, so the case rests on fire and other non-beam hazards and on your own policy. 1 Train on your own machine and model, before first use 2 Authorize a program decision, made after training requirements are met 3 Retrain when the machine, material list or procedure changes Training covers operating procedure for your machine your approved-material list exhaust and filter checks housekeeping the stop conditions Four things, without hesitation Any flame: stop. Do not open the lid. Fire alarm: evacuate, never return. Smoke or fumes: no run until resolved. Never leave a running job. Be clear about the standard of care The ANSI education standard lists training as not required for Class 1. The case for training rests on fire, other non-beam hazards, and your own policy. Training is specific to your machine and model, and authorization is a decision your program makes, not something a completed course grants by itself. How closely grades 6-12 students are supervised is for your district or campus policy to set in writing. Cover the operating procedure for your machine, your approved-material list, the exhaust and filter checks, housekeeping, and the stop conditions. Everyone who runs a job must be able to do four things without hesitation. Any flame means stop: use the emergency stop or the switch you were trained to use, do not open the lid to look, move students away, and follow your school’s written fire and evacuation procedure. If the fire alarm sounds, evacuate and never return; hit the emergency stop on the way out only if that takes no longer than leaving. Never leave a running job; an authorized person stays with it for its whole duration. And if you smell smoke or fumes in the room, the machine does not run again until someone resolves it. Authorization is a program decision. One university lets only personnel authorized by the responsible investigator operate a laser, after they meet training requirements. How closely grades 6-12 students are supervised is for your district or campus policy to set in writing. Retrain when the machine, the material list or the procedure changes. Be clear about the standard of care. The ANSI education standard lists training, a laser safety officer and a laser safety program as not required for Class 1, so the case for training rests on fire and other non-beam hazards and on your own policy. For Class 3B and 4 the same table marks them required.

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