Roles / Responsibilities

The Research Compliance Advisory Committee (RCAC) advises the Vice Chancellor for Research (VCR) on issues related to regulatory compliance and risk management in all research activities conducted on UC Berkeley property or by UC Berkeley personnel. The committee also informs the Vice Chancellor for Research of current and upcoming issues and concerns in research compliance and risk management and helps establish priorities for campus research compliance efforts.

The Non-Ionizing Radiation Safety Committee (NIRSC) advises on all matters related to coherent and non-coherent sources of non-ionizing radiation, reviews and approves uses of lasers and laser systems, and advises EH&S staff in carrying out the campus laser safety program in accordance with applicable state and federal requirements.

The laser safety officer (LSO) reports to the radiation safety officer (RSO) of EH&S and is responsible for laser safety program development, implementation, and compliance. The LSO is the technical advisor to the NIRSC regarding laser safety and regulatory affairs. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Investigate and approve all Laser Use Authorizations (LUAs)
• Prepare and approve all LUAs
• Prescribe or provide laser safety training
• Review and approve laser Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Inform NIRSC of any safety concerns associated with the use of lasers
• Perform hazard evaluations of laser use areas
• Verify laser classifications
• Specify control measures
• Perform and document audit, surveys and inspections
• Recommend and approve protective equipment
• Investigate laser incidents
• Maintain records associated with laser safety program
• Provides laser hazard signs and labels

The Office of Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S) administers this program for the UC Berkeley Non-Ionizing Radiation Safety Committee (NIRSC). EH&S is responsible for providing personnel and other resources to assist the LSO in this mission. No Class 3B or 4 lasers may be used on campus without an LUA. The LUA is used to assure the NIRSC that the laser use has been examined and found to be safe. The LUA is also used to track the location and ownership of each UC Berkeley laser.

Department chairpersons are responsible for assuring that Principal Investigators (PIs) utilizing lasers within their department operate those lasers in compliance with the laser safety program.

PIs are directly responsible for implementing the laser safety program. This includes the implementation of specified hazard controls, oversight and management of non- laser hazards, and informing the LSO of any changes that affect the laser users. It is also the responsibility of the PI to assure that all laser users operating under his or her LUA have met the training requirements set forth by the NIRSC. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Providing a safe workplace.
• Taking the laser safety training and refreshers as needed.
• Ensuring that identified users meet the campus laser safety training requirement.
• Providing and documenting that all laser users operating under his/her LUA have received specific hands-on instruction in the use of the laser system, are aware of safety precautions associated with the laser, have read the standard operating procedures (SOPs) relating to the laser, and have agreed to the proper use of laser protective eyewear.
• Ensuring that laser users comply with other campus or departmental safety procedures, requirements, or policies.
• Signing off on the approved SOP(s)
• Ensuring that appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is available.
• Notifying the LSO of any laser acquisitions, transfers, or disposals.
• Ensuring that the designated laser use area is posted with the appropriate laser hazard warning signs.
• Notifying the LSO of any experimental or facility changes that may impact safety.

All users must meet the laser safety training requirement prior to operating any Class 3B or Class 4 laser. All laser users are responsible for following the LUA specific hazard controls and notification requirements. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Attend the campus laser safety training class or Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) equivalent prior to using any laser unsupervised.
• Receive appropriate hands on/on the job training.
• Read, understand, sign and follow lab specific laser standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in accordance with the campus laser safety program requirements.
• Immediately report any suspected eye exposures to PI or Authorized User, LSO, or Health Services.
• Follow any other campus or lab specific safety procedures, requirements, or policies.
• Report any safety concerns to the PI (or designated Lab Contact) or LSO.

A visitor is any person who is present in the laboratory as an invited guest of any UC Berkeley employee or student researcher for a time period of 1-30 days for the purpose of doing research or visiting a laboratory environment. They are considered to be short-term researchers. If the short-term researcher stays longer than 30 days, they are considered a campus laser user.

It is the policy of the UC Berkeley NIRSC to require the same level of laser laboratory safety for all visitors and short-term researchers as is required for laser users. All visitors and short-term researchers are to be escorted by a person whose name appears on the Laser Use Authorization (LUA) as a laser user. If it is necessary for a short-term researcher to work alone in the laser laboratory, the individual must be added to the LUA as a laser user. It is the responsibility of the Principal Investigator to assure that the laser users in their facilities are informed of, understand, and follow this visitor policy. It is the responsibility of the visitor’s laser user escort to provide the visitor with an appropriate safety orientation covering the hazards in the laser laboratory. The escort shall also provide appropriate safety equipment and require the visitor to use the safety equipment.

Short-term researchers must meet the same laser safety training requirement as campus laser users (but do not need to be added to the LUA). Laser users must be immediately added to the LUA. See Appendix B for further details on the Laser Visitor Policy.

Department Safety Coordinators (DSCs) play a vital role in the safety network supporting campus operations. DSCs are the principal liaison between the employees/ staff/students in their department and campus service providers such as EH&S. DSCs are informed of any corrective actions found in facility audits.