Safety is paramount when performing laser cutting operations. To ensure the health and safety of operators, professional training is essential, and appropriate personal protective measures must be taken during the laser cutting process. Here are the commonly used personal protective equipment (PPE) for laser cutting work:
Laser Safety Glasses: Laser safety glasses are highly effective eye protection designed to selectively attenuate specific wavelengths of laser light. This prevents or reduces the risk of laser-induced eye injuries. It’s crucial to understand that different types of laser safety glasses are designed for different laser wavelengths. Therefore, operators must choose the appropriate safety glasses based on the type of laser being used to ensure effective protection. Generally, one type of laser safety glasses can only protect against one wavelength of laser light, while a few can protect against multiple wavelengths. Proper selection is vital for effective laser safety.
Laser Safety Face Shield: A face shield is used to protect the face from hazards such as flying metal debris, harmful gas splashes, molten metal, and high-temperature solvent droplets. The laser safety face shield is essentially a face shield integrated with laser safety glasses. It is a type of radiation protection face shield primarily used for protection against ultraviolet (UV) lasers. It provides comprehensive facial protection during laser cutting.
Laser Safety Gloves: Protective gloves are designed to protect hands from injury during work. The primary function of laser safety gloves is to prevent accidental exposure to high-power, high-energy laser beams, thus avoiding laser burns to the hands. Different materials offer varying protective features, such as cut resistance, abrasion resistance, heat resistance, and anti-static properties. Choosing the right gloves is essential for safe laser cutting.
Laser Safety Clothing: Laser safety clothing must be provided when workers’ skin may be exposed to areas exceeding the maximum permissible exposure limits. Protective clothing should be fire-resistant and heat-resistant to effectively protect workers’ skin in the event of an accident during laser cutting.