IPG IX-6168-PS, Hardware Reference Manual

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Safety
Caution: Use of controls or adjustments or performance of procedures other than those specified
herein may result in hazardous radiation exposure.
Using a laser processing workstation can be hazardous in several ways:
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UV laser light can damage your eyes and skin and generate dangerous radiation.
❑
Airborne contaminants generated by laser processing can injure or poison you.
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Laser gases used by excimer lasers can poison or asphyxiate you.
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High voltages can burn or electrocute you.
UV Laser Light Hazards
UV light falls between blue visible light (400 nm) and X-rays (100 nm) on the
electromagnetic spectrum and includes three wavelength regions:
Lasers generate laser light of various wavelengths throughout the UV spectrum,
depending on their configuration. Skin and eye hazards vary with wavelength. Most
of the natural UV (the sun) should be avoided by use of personal protection.
However, UV radiation from laboratory equipment is monochromatic with high
intensity and low divergence which poses a greater threat to personnel. If no personal
protection equipment is used, tissue damage may occur in only a single pulse (less
than a second of exposure).
Skin Hazards
UV laser radiation is in the same range as UV solar radiation and carries similar
hazards. Even diffuse or scattered laser radiation can cause sunburn, and long-term
exposure increases your risk of skin cancer. If you come in direct contact with the
laser beam, you can be seriously injured.
To protect against UV exposure, always wear long sleeves and laboratory gloves
when working with lasers. If you are particularly sensitive to UV light, apply
sunscreen (containing both UVA and UVB blockers) to exposed skin, especially your
face, or wear a face shield.
Region Wavelengths Hazard rating
UV-A 315–400 nm Lowest Longest wavelength and lowest energy
UV-B 280–315 nm Mid - high
UV-C 180–280 nm Highest Shortest wavelength and highest energy