Laser Radiation

Exposure to laser light can inflict severe retina and/or cornea injuries leading to permanent eye damage and may cause skin damage. Laser light may be invisible. Safety protocols must be followed to prevent accidental exposure to invisible, direct and reflected beams. The system must only be operated in a Laser Controlled Area.* Skin Hazard Exposure to infrared (IR) and UV light radiation can cause serious injury to the skin. Operators and all personnel working within the Laser Controlled Area must wear protective clothing including laser-resistant and heat resistant gloves, caps, leather apron and other laser-resistant and heat-resistant clothing. Sleeves and collars should be buttoned at all times. Depending on the intensity of the IR light, skin injuries may also include thermal burns or excessive dry skin. Exposure to UV light may cause sunburn and will increase a welder’s risk of skin cancer and accelerated signs of skin aging. Welding sparks may also cause burns. Laser beam can penetrate through metal parts to objects or persons on the other side. Never hold parts for processing in a position where laser penetration of the metal may result in a hazard.

Eye Damage

All persons in the Laser Controlled Area must wear all recommended personal protective equipment (PPE), including the provided IPG laser safety glasses and IPG helmet with shield, provided with the LightWELD device, to protect against eye damage from any reflected or scattered laser beams as well as welding bright light, ultraviolet (UV) light, heat, and sparks. Only the combination of IPG laser safety glasses and IPG helmet with face shield will provide sufficient protection to all personnel present during laser welding. For safety reasons, do not use any laser safety glasses or welding helmets other than those provided by IPG when the LightWELD device is in use.

Skin Hazard

Exposure to infrared (IR) and UV light radiation can cause serious injury to the skin. Operators and all personnel working within the Laser Controlled Area must wear protective clothing including laser-resistant and heat resistant gloves, caps, leather apron and other laser-resistant and heat-resistant clothing. Sleeves and collars should be buttoned at all times. Depending on the intensity of the IR light, skin injuries may also include thermal burns or excessive dry skin. Exposure to UV light may cause sunburn and will increase a welder’s risk of skin cancer and accelerated signs of skin aging. Welding sparks may also cause burns. Laser beam can penetrate through metal parts to objects or persons on the other side. Never hold parts for processing in a position where laser penetration of the metal may result in a hazard.

Reflected Beam Hazard

Highly reflective metals such as aluminum and copper may cause reflection of the laser energy away from the target weld site to the laser source or surrounding area and may present a hazard to all individuals in the Laser Controlled Area. All individuals in the Laser Controlled Area must wear all recommended PPE, including IPG laser safety glasses and IPG welding helmet with face shield. Spectators should never attempt to view the welding process or processed part from the opposite side of the LightWELD device laser source. Spectators should only attempt to view the welding process or processed parts from behind the operator of the LightWELD device, and only when wearing all recommended PPE.

Fume Hazards

Welding “smoke” from interaction of the laser beam with target materials can be comprised of very fine particles which can damage the lungs, heart, kidneys, and central nervous system. During welding, aways keep your head away from fumes. Always weld in an area with adequate ventilation and use a fume extraction system to remove vapors, particles, and hazardous debris from the welding processing area.

Other Hazards

Welding heat and sparks can start a fire or cause an explosion in combustible or flammable materials in the welding area. Laser welding should only be performed in an area free of combustible or flammable materials. Never weld on containers that have flammable or combustible material. If the contents of a container are unknown, you should assume that they are flammable or combustible. Gas cylinders must be stored only in areas where they cannot be struck by welding beams, sparks or laser beam deflections. Working regulators suitable for proper storage and pressure regulation of any gases are required. All hoses and fittings must also be suitable for the gas types and pressures used in the welding application.

*As defined by ANSI, a Laser Controlled Area is “a laser use area where the occupancy and activity of those within is controlled and supervised. This area may be defined by walls, barriers or other means. Within this area, potentially hazardous beam exposure is possible.” Laser controlled areas are generally enclosed areas capable of absorbing stray laser energy and equipped with a safety interlock to the laser to prevent unauthorized access while laser is in use.