P3D Lasers

[Bob_Maxey@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

>>I should mention that the reason I commented on Bob Maxey's post is that
>while it may serve as reasonable initial instructions for people who have
>never had anything to do with lasers before, I felt it was unreasonably
>restrictive in refusing to acknowledge that more might safely be done by
>people who know what they're doing, with adequate precautions.


I always err on the side of caution. As soon as one posts that it is safe
to look at a laser at the exit, people will do just that, and with
potential problems. If anyone on the list does not agree, I invite them to
stare into any operating laser and see what happens, or can happen. Just do
not look into the beam, what is this so hard? Incidentally, the new green
laser pointers offer a brighter (Apparent) light output with less actual
output, as green is more easily seen than red.


>(For example,
>I don't think they warned against public use of CD-ROM drives with
internal
>lasers.)

Every service book I have looked at pertaining to repair of CD and CD-ROM
drives warns of this potential problem. Lasers in an optical drive are
never operating when the cover is open. They must all include a safety
interlock. Regardless of what the CRDH Site says, every laser device must
include a warning label, indicating the device output, and given a Class #.
Laser warning labels are supposed to be placed on all devices with an
included laser.

>Also BTW, work is going on with display systems that operate by shining
>a (low power) laser into the eye, and writing the image directly on the
>retina!


This has nothing to do with the safety discussion. The people working of
these ideas are not using higher power lasers I would bet and they are
experts. BTW: I understand lasers as I train people to operate the
engraving lasers used here at 3Com. I also train on the Bar code systems we
have and Laser Safety is a part of the training, as unprotected beams are
accessible to the users.

Look, gang... do not be afraid of lasers, just use them with caution. I
think it is important, that's all.

Cheers,

RM



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