Stanford has long followed, on an informal basis, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) guidelines on laser safety. However, the use of lasers at the University has increased, the Administrative Panel on Radiological Safety (APRS) has recommended that Stanford adopt a more formal policy on the acquisition, use, transfer, and disposal of lasers used in our teaching and research programs.

Therefore, enclosed is the University's new Laser Safety Policy and Guidelines for implementation. Please note that the policy outlines the responsibilities of a principal investigator (P.I.), or faculty members in charge of labs, for registering and labeling of lasers, instructing users in laser safety, ensuring that needed facility upgrades and engineering control measures are in place, enforcing safety practices and the use of protective equipment, and for the proper modification and transfer of laser systems. The above statement of responsibilities is consistent with the "Statement of Principles for Environmental Health and Safety Management and Quality Assurance," written by President Donald F. Kennedy, found on pages 109-111 of the Stanford Research Policy Handbook, 1989.

The Health Physics Office in the Environmental Health & Safety Department will provide basic safety training of laser personnel as well as training resources to assist you in specific on-the-job safety training. John Holmes (725-1413) in Health Physics is also available to advise on laser safety and related policies and procedures.

We hope that this policy will provide useful guidance to you and your staff and students. Please read the enclosure carefully, following up as needed with the Health Physics Staff to be sure that all laser users are informed of their responsibilities for safety of the individual users, as well as others who might be in the vicinity of operating lasers.