5
Safety
1. You should never look directly at a UV lamp in operation without wearing
approved safety glasses. Safety glasses should be made of any material
other than Quartz or Teflon.
2. The space should be vacant and closed prior to PKCART operation
3. Never command the system on when the treatment space is occupied
PK-CART SAFE OPERATION
Disposal of Mercury Added Lamps
Germicidal ultraviolet lamps, like standard fluorescent lamps
contain small amounts of mercury. Mercury added lamps
should not be placed in the trash. Dispose of properly. For
further information regarding the disposal and recycling
of lamps containing mercury, along with Federal and State
requirements visit LampRecycle.org.
Safety Guidelines
Long term exposure to ultraviolet light is dangerous. UV-C
can produce eye injuries and skin irritation similar to a sun
burn over prolonged exposure. These effects are considered
transient. UV-C may also be carcinogenic but since it has
very limited penetrating ability it is unlikely to cause damage
to anything besides the outer layer of skin or other exposed
surfaces.
The Ericson PK-CART is designed for zero user exposure to
UV-C; however, we will review safety factors regarding UV-C
for better knowledge and understanding.
Protective Clothing and Eyewear
It is not recommended that any personnel be subject to
direct UV-C exposure. In the event such exposure is probable,
personnel should wear PPE providing full coverage of
exposed skin and appropriate eye protection.
UV-C safety glasses designed to filter UV-C and those of the
wrap-around type are recommended. Safety glasses should
be made of any material other than Quartz or Teflon.
OSHA Guidelines for Ultraviolet Exposure
OSHA provides technical guidance regarding protecting
employees from ultraviolet light with respect to laser hazards
only.
OSHA has two standards that cover employee exposure
to radiation: Nonionizing Radiation (29 CFR 1910.97) and
Ionizing Radiation (29 CFR 1910.1096). You may access a
copy of the OSHA radiation standards from their website at
http://www.osha.gov.
The non-ionizing radiation standard only covers the radio
frequency region, including microwaves. The ionizing
radiation standard covers alpha, beta, gamma, and X-rays;
neutrons; high-speed electrons and protons; and other
atomic particles; but does not include sound or radio waves,
or visible, infrared, or ultraviolet light. Therefore, there are
no OSHA-mandated employee exposure limits to ultraviolet
radiation.
