R 021230Z SEP 09 ALCOAST 501/09 COMDTNOTE 5103 SUBJ: UPDATE TO LASER HAZARD CONTROL POLICY 1. THIS ALCOAST IS A RE-RELEASE OF THE GUIDANCE CONTAINED IN ALCOAST 290/08. SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPREHENSIVE LASER HAZARD CONTROL POLICY TO INCLUDE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CROSS DIRECTORATE LASER REVIEW COMMITTEE, RELEASE OF THE LASER SYSTEM REVIEW PROCESS GUIDE, INITIATION OF REVIEW ON SEVERAL INDIVIDUAL SYSTEMS, FINAL PREPARATIONS FOR CONCURRENT CLEARANCE OF A ROBUST COMMANDANT INSTRUCTION, AND INITIATION OF INTER-GOVERNMENTAL ACTIONS REQUIRED TO ESTABLISH THE COAST GUARD'S CERTIFICATION AND EXEMPTION STATUS. DESPITE THE PROGRESS, SEVERAL MONTHS REMAIN BEFORE PROMULGATION OF THE FORMAL COMMANDANT INSTRUCTION. PENDING FURTHER GUIDANCE, ALL WARNINGS, RESTRICTIONS AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FROM ALCOAST 290/08, TEXT COPIED BELOW, REMAIN IN EFFECT. 2. AS THE COAST GUARD MODERNIZES ITS OPERATIONAL RESOURCES, SEVERAL OF OUR NEW PLATFORMS ARE EXPECTED TO COME EQUIPPED WITH LASER CAPABILITIES PREVIOUSLY FOUND ONLY IN RESEARCH, MEDICAL AND DISTINCTLY DOD FUNCTIONS. CONCURRENTLY ADVANCEMENTS IN TECHNOLOGY HAVE MADE IT EASIER TO PURCHASE LASER EQUIPMENT FOR INDUSTRIAL AND MAINTENANCE RELATED APPLICATIONS THAT COULD PRESENT A HAZARD TO OPERATORS AND FELLOW COWORKERS IF OPERATED OUTSIDE OF SPECIFIC GUIDELINES. TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF OUR PEOPLE AND REMAIN IN COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATIONS THIS ALCOAST OUTLINES A BASIC LASER HAZARD CONTROL POLICY TO BE USED UNTIL A FULL AND COMPREHENSIVE POLICY IS PROMULGATED. THE POLICY OUTLINED IN THIS ALCOAST APPLIES IMMEDIATELY TO ALL LASER EQUIPMENT CURRENTLY IN USE, OPERATIONAL OR INDUSTRIAL, AND WILL BE SYSTEMATICALLY APPLIED TO LASER EMITTING DEVICES AWAITING IMPLEMENTATION. 3. BASIC LASER HAZARD AWARENESS: LASER IS AN ACRONYM FOR LIGHT AMPLIFICATION BY STIMULATED EMISSION OF RADIATION. THEY ARE GROUPED INTO FOUR BASIC CLASSIFICATIONS BASED ON THE HAZARDS THEY PRESENT. THEY RANGE FROM CLASS 1 (WHICH ARE INHERENTLY SAFE FOR DIRECT VIEWING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS) TO CLASS 4 LASERS (WHICH ARE THE MOST DANGEROUS, CAN CAUSE PERMANENT EYE AND SKIN DAMAGE, AND REQUIRE STRICT CONTROLS.) THE FOLLOWING IS A BREAKDOWN OF THE CLASSIFICATION LEVELS AND REQUIREMENTS: A. CLASS 1: NOT CONSIDERED TO BE AN EYE HAZARD, BUT SINCE THE PRODUCT MAY ACTUALLY BE A HIGHER POWER LASER HOUSED WITHIN AN ENCLOSED SYSTEM, USERS SHOULD USE CAUTION IF THE SYSTEM IS DAMAGED OR USED OUTSIDE OF THE MANUFACTURERS INSTRUCTIONS. THIS TYPE OF LASER STILL REQUIRES A LABEL IDENTIFYING THE CLASSIFICATION, AND SHOULD NEVER BE POINTED AT SOMEONE. B. CLASS 2: CONSIDERED A CHRONIC VIEWING HAZARD, BUT STILL CONSIDERED EYE SAFE AS LONG AS THE PERIOD OF EXPOSURE IS EXTREMELY SHORT. THE HAZARD INCREASES WHEN VIEWED THROUGH MAGNIFICATION DEVICES (BINOCULARS). THIS CLASS OF LASER REQUIRES A CAUTION LABEL IN ADDITION TO THE CLASSIFICATION INFORMATION. C. CLASS 3: BROKEN INTO TWO SUB CATEGORIES: (1) CLASS 3A: MAY NOT BE EYE SAFE IF VIEWED WITH MAGNIFICATION OPTICS, BUT COULD ALSO BE POWERFUL ENOUGH TO EXCEED THE MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE LEVEL FOR EYE DAMAGE. IT REQUIRES A YELLOW CAUTION LABEL OR A RED DANGER LABEL DEPENDING ON THE SPECIFICATIONS AS OUTLINED IN 21 CFR 1040.1. (2) CLASS 3B: NOT EYE SAFE. HAZARDOUS UNDER MOST VIEWING CONDITIONS, AND COULD HAVE DIFFUSE REFLECTION CAPABILITY (ABILITY TO REFLECT ON SMOOTH SURFACES AND NOT LOSE ANY HAZARDOUS POTENTIAL). ALL CLASS 3B LASERS REQUIRE ENGINEERING CONTROLS AND A RED DANGER LABEL. THEY ALSO MUST BE INVENTORIED AND TRACKED AT THE UNIT. D. CLASS 4: THE MOST HAZARDOUS CLASS OF LASER. NOT EYE SAFE UNDER ANY VIEWING CONDITIONS. MOST HAVE A DIFFUSE REFLECTION HAZARD. THIS CLASS OF LASER REQUIRES SIGNIFICANT CONTROL MEASURES TO INCLUDE ENGINEERING SYSTEMS AND PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AS WELL AS SPECIFIC POLICY REGARDING USE. THESE LASERS MUST BE INVENTORIED AND REQUIRE TRAINING FOR ALL USERS. UNITS THAT USE CLASS 4 LASERS WILL ALSO BE REQUIRED TO QUALIFY AND DESIGNATE A LASER SAFETY OFFICER TO ADMINISTER THE LOCAL LASER HAZARD CONTROL PROGRAM. 4. LASER INVENTORY: TO PROPERLY ASSESS THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH LASER USAGE, ALL UNITS SHALL CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE INVENTORY OF LASER PRODUCTS USED AT THEIR UNIT OR FACILITY. THIS INVENTORY (OF ALL CLASSES) CAN BE USEFUL IN HELPING AN INDIVIDUAL COMMAND EVALUATE RISKS AND DEVELOP MITIGATION STRATEGIES. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON LASERS AND CONTROL MEASURES CAN BE FOUND AT: HTTP://WWW.OSHA.GOV. INFORMATION ON UNIT HELD CLASS 3B AND CLASS 4 LASERS WILL BE FORWARDED ON TO COMDT (CG-11) FOR TRACKING AND APPROVAL PURPOSES AS REQUIRED IN PARA 5 AND 6 BELOW. 5. INTERIM RESTRICTION: ANY UNIT THAT CURRENTLY EMPLOYS CLASS 3B OR CLASS 4 LASER PRODUCTS (REGARDLESS OF REASON) SHALL CEASE USE OF THE SYSTEM AND SUBMIT VIA MESSAGE A REQUEST TO COMDT (CG-11) WITH INFO TO YOUR OPERATIONAL CHAIN OF COMMAND FOR APPROVAL. FOR UNITS THAT HAVE ALREADY SUBMITTED REQUESTS PENDING APPROVAL, RE- SUBMITTING IS NOT REQUIRED. THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION SHALL BE INCLUDED IN THE REQUEST: A. MANUFACTURER, MODEL AND SERIAL NUMBER B. CLASSIFICATION (3B OR 4) C. WAVELENGTH D. TYPE (E.G. ND, YAG, ARGON, ETC) E. MAX POWER OUTPUT (CONTINUOUS WAVE), ENERGY (PULSE) F. PULSE WIDTH (IF APPLICABLE) G. PULSE RATE (IF APPLICABLE) H. BEAM DIAMETER AND DIVERGENCE I. REASON FOR USE AND LOCATION AT UNIT J. ENGINEERING CONTROLS (LIST CONTROLS. IF NONE, STATE NONE) K. ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROCEDURAL CONTROLS (LIST CONTROLS. IF NONE, STATE NONE) L. PERSONAL PROTECTION (LIST TYPE) 6. NEW ACQUISITIONS: PROGRAM MANAGERS AND ACQUISITION OFFICES THAT INTEND TO PURCHASE CLASS 3B OR CLASS 4 LASERS MUST CONTACT THE COMDT (CG-11) REPS DESIGNATED BELOW TO DISCUSS CERTIFICATION, INTENDED USE AND CONTROL MEASURES NEEDED FOR SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION. A CGPORTAL HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED THAT HAS ALL OF THE DRAFT PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS AND PROCESS GUIDE STEPS REQUIRED FOR SYSTEM REVIEW. CONTACT LCDR BRIAN GLANDER FOR ACCESS TO THE SITE. 7. OPERATIONAL USE OF LASERS FOR OTHER THAN INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES: A. FOR AVIATION UNITS, THE USE OF LASERS (REGARDLESS OF CLASSIFICATION) IN CONJUNCTION WITH AVIATION OPERATIONS REQUIRES APPROVAL FROM THE AIRCRAFT CONFIGURATION CONTROL BOARD (ACCB) PRIOR TO USE. SUBMIT ACCB REQUESTS IAW NORMAL PROCEDURES. B. FOR ALL OTHER OPERATIONAL UNITS, IF USING A LASER LOWER THAN CLASS 3B, THE UNIT MUST REVIEW THE PROCEDURES IN PLACE REGARDING THE USE OF LASERS TO ENSURE THE USERS ARE AWARE OF ANY ASSOCIATED RISKS THAT MAY BE PRESENT. CONTACT COMDT (CG-11) REPS LISTED BELOW IF ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED WITH IMPLEMENTING LASER HAZARD CONTROL MITIGATION STRATEGIES. 8. EXTERNAL LASER THREATS TO COAST GUARD MEMBERS: ALTHOUGH THERE IS NO INDICATION THAT A SIGNIFICANT EXTERNAL THREAT EXISTS AT THIS TIME, THE POTENTIAL DOES EXIST FOR COAST GUARD FORCES TO BE EXPOSED TO LASER HAZARDS IN THE CONDUCT OF THEIR DUTIES. THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF REPORTED LASING INCIDENTS BY OUR AIRCREWS, BUT NONE HAVE BEEN DETERMINED TO BE FROM LASER SOURCES CAPABLE OF CAUSING DIRECT HARM. COMDT (CG-1131) IN COORDINATION WITH SEVERAL OTHER PROGRAM OFFICERS COMPLETED A HAZARD ASSESSMENT AND CONCLUDED THAT FLEET WIDE DEPLOYMENT OF LASER EYE PROTECTION IS NOT NEEDED AT THIS TIME. THIS HAZARD ASSESSMENT WILL BE CONTINUALLY MONITORED AND UPDATED. TO ENSURE RAPID EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION, OPERATIONAL UNITS SHALL REPORT ALL LASING INCIDENTS VIA E-MISHAP OR E-AVIATRS MISHAP REPORTING SYSTEMS. ADDITIONAL REPORTING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS IS APPROPRIATE AS IS REPORTING INCIDENTS TO THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION FOR INCIDENTS INVOLVING AIRCRAFT OPERATING IN U.S. AIR SPACE. 9. PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE): SINCE MOST LASER PPE ONLY PROTECTS AGAINST A NARROW BAND OF THE LIGHT SPECTRUM, THE USE OF LASER EYE PROTECTION IS DEPENDENT UPON THE SYSTEM IN USE. BASED ON THE EXTERNAL THREAT ASSESSMENT ABOVE, LASER EYE PROTECTION FOR EXTERNAL THREATS IS NOT NEEDED AT THIS TIME. FOR INTERNAL THREATS FROM COAST GUARD LASER SYSTEMS, HOWEVER, THE TYPE AND SPECIFICATION OF THE PPE WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE APPROVAL OF THE SYSTEM. REQUESTS TO USE LASER PPE ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS SHALL BE FORWARDED TO THE APPROPRIATE PLATFORM MANAGER FOR CONSIDERATION (FOR AVIATION FOLLOW THE ACCB PROCESS). THE BELOW COMDT (CG-11) POCS CAN DISCUSS SPECIFIC PROTECTIVE OPTIONS AND THEIR LIMITATIONS. 10. MEDICAL CONCERNS: ANY PERSON THAT MAY HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO A CLASS 3B OR CLASS 4 LASER WITHIN THE HAZARDOUS VIEWING SPECIFICATION OF THAT LASER, OR IF THE EXPOSURE LEVEL CAN NOT BE DETERMINED, SHALL PROCEED IMMEDIATELY TO THE NEAREST MEDICAL FACILITY FOR APPROPRIATE TREATMENT. THE EXPOSURE SHALL ALSO BE DOCUMENTED IN THE OMSEP PROGRAM, AND REPORTED TO THE MEMBERS IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR TO DETERMINE IF A MISHAP REPORT SHOULD BE REPORTED IAW THE SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH MANUAL. 11. COMDT (CG-113) SAFETY POLICY/CERTIFICATION/PROTECTION CONCERNS: LCDR BRIAN GLANDER 202-475-5199 OR MS. CAROLYN ONYE 202-475-5214. 12. COMDT (CG-112) MEDICAL CONCERNS: CDR ERICA SCHWARTZ 202-475-5172. 13. RADM MARK TEDESCO, DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, SAFETY AND WORKLIFE, SENDS. 14. INTERNET RELEASE IS AUTHORIZED.