Development of a proposed Laser Safety Protocol (LSP) for the prevention of eye and skin hazards in Biomedical Laser facilities

Usage of LASER radiation applications is very widespread in numerous specific areas of Biomedical Sciences with proven clinical and treatment results. Furthermore, the apparatus used in Biomedical applications are classified in highest power and danger categories (class 3B or 4). Thus, establishing and keeping necessary laser safety measures is crucial for the assurance of health, safety, ergonomics conditions and specially for the prevention of eye and skin hazards, both for biomedical scientists and patients in health and care units of any scale. To our knowledge, the existing protocols in relevant literature, are quite limited and depict only the basic Laser Safety guidelines. The subject of this study is the development of a complete and detailed Laser Safety Protocol to be implemented in all biomedical facilities. The novelty of the proposed LSP is that it is formulated both in extended verbal instructions and, principally, in a “matrix form”, well defined procedure.