N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. tit. 12 § 50.4

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 50, December 11, 2024

Section 50.4 - Definitions

As used herein or in connection with this Part (rule), the following terms mean:

(a) Angstrom (A). A unit of length used mainly to expressing length of electromagnetic waves. An Angstrom is equal to 10-10 meter, 10-8centimeter or 10-4 micron.

(b) Approved. In respect to a device or material: in compliance with an existing resolution of approval adopted by the commissioner; in respect to action by the commissioner: made the subject of a resolution of approval.

(c) Beam divergence. The full angle of laser beam spread usually measured at the half power points in radians or milliradians.

(d) Certificate of competence. A document issued to the operator of a mobile laser by the commissioner in accordance with the provisions of this Part (rule).

(e) Certified mobile laser operator. Any individual holding a valid certificate of competence issued by the commissioner in accordance with the provisions of this Part (rule).

(f) Closed installations. Any installation where lasers are used and the entry to which is controlled while any laser therein is being operated.

(g) Commissioner. The Commissioner of Labor of the State of New York or his duly authorized representative.

(h) C.W. laser. A continuous wave laser.

(i) Designated individual. An individual selected and directed by a laser safety officer to supervise the operation of a laser.

(j) Employee. An individual employed; one who works for wages or salary in the service of another.

(k) Energy density. The energy per unit area expressed in the units of joules per square centimeter. (J/cm2).

(l) Gas laser. A type of laser in which the lasing action occurs in a gas medium, such as a helium-neon mixture.

(m) High-intensity laser. A laser with an output energy or power density that exceeds the values listed in Table 3 of section 50.23 of this Part (rule).

(n) Individual. Any human being.

(o) Irradiance. An expression for incident power density.

(p) Joule (J). A unit of energy equal to 107 erg or one watt-second.

(q) Joule per square centimer (J/cm2). The energy per unit area and a unit of energy density and radiant exposure.

(r) Laser. An acronym for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation, also referred to as an optical maser.

(s) Laser installation. Any location where, for a period of more than 30 days, one or more lasers are used or operated. The confines of a laser installation shall be designated by the owner of such installation. An entire building or other structure, a part thereof or a plant may be designated as a laser installation. For the purposes of this Part (rule), a construction site shall not be considered a laser installation.

(t) Laser radiation area. Any area containing one or more high- or low-intensity lasers and the access to which is controlled for the purpose of protecting individuals from exposure to laser radiation.

(u) Laser safety officer. An individual, designated at a particular laser installation or for a particular mobile laser, who is qualified by training and experience in the occupational and public health aspects of lasers to evaluate the radiation hazards of such laser installation or mobile laser and who is qualified to establish and administer a laser radiation protection program for such laser installation or mobile laser.

(v) Low-intensity laser. A laser with an output energy or power density at any point along the path of the laser beam to which the eye may be exposed which is less than or equal to the values listed in Table 3 of section 50.23 of this Part (rule).

(w) Maser. An acronym for microwave amplification by the stimulated emission of radiation. A maser emits microwave radiation instead of light.

(x) Maximum permissible energy density for corneal and skin exposure. The energy density of laser radiation from a pulsed laser which, in accordance with present medical knowledge, is not expected to cause detectable corneal or other bodily injury to an individual at any time during his lifetime. The maximum permissible levels are listed in Tables 1 and 2 of section 50.23 of this Part (rule).

(y) Maximum permissible power density for corneal and skin exposure. The power density of laser radiation from a C.W. or pulsed laser which, in accordance with present medical knowledge, is not expected to cause detectable corneal or other bodily injury to an individual at any time during his lifetime. The maximum permissible levels are listed in Tables 1 and 2 of section 50.23 of this Part (rule).

(z) Mobile laser. A laser which is used or operated outside a laser installation.

(aa) Nanometer (nm). A unit of length equal to 10-9 meter, 10-7 centimeter, 10- 3 micron or 10 Angstroms. The nanometer is gradually replacing the Angstrom as the unit of measurement of electromagnetic wave lengths.

(bb) Optical density (O.D.). A number equal to the common logarithm (base 10) of the attenuation afforded by a filter.

(cc) Optically pumped lasers. Types of lasers that derive energy from high-intensity light sources, such as xenon flash lamps.

(dd) Output energy. The energy emitted by a laser. This term is used to evaluate pulsed lasers.

(ee) Output power. Laser output defined by energy per unit time. This term is used to evaluate continuous wave lasers.

(ff) Owner. Any person conducting the business or activities carried on within a laser installation or with a mobile laser and having by law the administrative control of a laser, whether as owner, lessee, contractor or otherwise.

(gg) Person. Any of the following: an individual; a corporation; a partnership; or a firm.

(hh) Power density. The power per unit area usually expressed in watts per square centimeter (w/cm2).

(ii) Pulsed laser. A laser that delivers its energy in pulses of short duration.

(jj) Pulse length. The duration of a pulsed laser flash measured in units of milliseconds (msec) which equals 10-3 second, microseconds (µsec) which equals 10-6 second, nanoseconds (nsec) which equals 10-9second or picoseconds (psec) which equals 10-12 second.

(kk) Pulsed re-occurrence frequency (P.R.F.). The frequency of occurrence of laser pulses in units of pulses per second. Pulsed re-occurrence frequency is also referred to as pulsed repetition frequency or rate.

(ll) Q-switching, Q-spoiling. A technique used to obtain extremely high peak powers for very short durations from pulsed lasers.

(mm) Radiant exposure. An expression for incident energy density.

(nn) Repetitive pulse laser. A pulsed laser with re-occurring pulsed output.

(oo) Research and development.

(1) Theoretical analysis, exploration or experimentation; or

(2) The extension of investigative findings and theories of a scientific or technical nature into practical application for experimental, demonstrative and specialized purposes including the experimental or limited production and testing of models, devices, equipment, materials and processes involving the use of lasers.

(pp) Semi-conductor or junction laser. A type of laser in which the lasing action occurs in a semi-conductor, such as gallium arsenide. Such semi-conductors are sometimes cooled to cryogenic temperatures for more efficient operation.

(qq) Shall. The word "shall" is always mandatory.

(rr) Shield. An enclosure for a laser, a laser beam and/or a target. Typical laser shielding materials are rigid plastics, metals, opaque ceramics and light-impervious cloth. The term applies to a radiation shield, an explosion shield or to a combination radiation and explosion shield.

(ss) Specular or regular reflection. Mirror-like reflection.

(tt) Survey. An evaluation of the laser radiation hazards incident to the production, use, disposal, servicing or presence of any laser including, if appropriate, a physical evaluation of the laser installation or mobile laser and the measurement of laser output and reflected laser radiation.

(uu) Trainee. An individual, at least 18 years of age, who is being trained in the proper and safe use and operation of lasers.

(vv) Uncontrolled area. Any area the access to which is not controlled for the purpose of protecting individuals from exposure to any laser radiation and any area used as residential quarters.

(ww) Watt (w). A unit of power.

(xx) Watt per square centimeter (w/cm 2). The power per unit area and a unit of power density and irradiance.

N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 12 § 50.4