Flow Cytometry Core Facility Laser Safety Protocol facscans and facscaliber

The FACScan and FACScaliber instruments contain a fully-integrated class IIIb laser operating at 488 nm with approximately 30 mW optical power. The systems are designed with a mechanical interlock resulting in closure of the laser shutter when the front access cover of the instrument is removed.

Users are expected to open the front access cover to re-fill sheath fluid and dispose of the contents of the waste tank. Under no circumstances should users attempt to defeat the laser safety interlock and/or access any components of the optical path. Facility staff and other authorized users are expected to follow the service protocol below.

LSR-II

The LSRII is a multi-laser cytometer equipped with 5 solid state lasers rated at the class IIIb level. As the instruments allows for filter and mirror changes, trained users are permitted to access the optical components within the instrument. With the exception of the ultraviolet (UV) laser, all laser emission is confined beneath protective enclosures and does not present a beam hazard while changing mirrors and filters. Only facility staff and authorized personnel are permitted to remove the safety shielding and/or expose the optical flow cell. When such maintenance is performed the following service protocol is to be followed.

Users who utilize the UV laser adhere to the following special regulations, as the beam is exposed when the instrument’s top cover is opened.

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  Users must attend laser safety training as well as instrument-specific training and adhere to all policies presented therein.
  
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  Wherever possible filters and mirrors should be changed BEFORE the UV laser is turned on via software, and restored to the original configuration AFTER the UV laser is turned off at the end of the experiment.
  
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  If filters or mirrors must be changed while the laser is operating, users must remove all jewelry and other items that could cause undesired reflections, wear suitable eye protection (provided by the Facility), and avoid crossing the beam area.
  

The MoFlo is a multi-laser sorter, equipped with a class IIIb 488 nm primary laser and two large class IV water-cooled tunable ion lasers. Once configured for a given experiment, the system is operated with entirely closed beam paths and poses no hazard to users witnessing a sort, or to the operator. However, configuring the instrument will require exposure to laser light and as such the operator is expected to follow the service protocol below.

Service Protocol

This protocol is to be followed by facility staff, authorized users, and external manufacturer field technicians, whenever Facility instruments are operated for service or maintenance in such a way that normal laser safety mechanisms are removed, opened, and/or defeated.

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  All users performing the work must have current laser safety training and follow all applicable regulations and best practices.
  
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  Non-trained personnel should be cleared from the area while maintenance is being performed.
  
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  Jewelry should be removed from individuals working and around open laser beam lines.
  
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  Suitable eye protection is available and must be worn by all personnel present.
  
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  Laser power should be attenuated from normal operating levels to the minimal level necessary to accomplish the goal.
  
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  The user should always keep eyes above or below the beam lines and should never be at eye-level with any potential laser line.
  
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  Upon completion of the work, the user must ensure that all beam covers are replaced and interlocks restored.