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Surface Reveal

Safety & Compliance

Professional laser work requires professional controls.

Laser cleaning can be undertaken safely when hazards are identified and suitable engineering, procedural and personal protective controls are implemented.

Controls

What is put in place on site

Controls are set out in a project-specific risk assessment and method statement, agreed before work begins and reviewed if conditions change.

  • Defined controlled area
  • Access management and signage
  • Barriers and screens
  • Laser safety eyewear
  • Reflection assessment
  • Extraction and filtration
  • Plume control
  • Fire controls and watch
  • Pre-start equipment inspection
  • Emergency stop provision
  • Operator authorisation
  • Project-specific RAMS

Hazards

Identified and managed

Laser radiation

Direct and scattered laser energy presents a hazard to eyes and skin. Work takes place within a defined controlled area, with appropriate eyewear for everyone inside it.

Reflections

Polished, curved and metallic surfaces can redirect energy. Reflection risk is assessed for each set-up and managed with positioning, screening and enclosure where required.

Process plume

Removal generates particulate and gaseous products. Local extraction and filtration are used, with the arrangement selected for the coating and the working environment.

Unknown coatings

Coatings of unknown composition may contain lead, chromates or other hazardous constituents. These require testing and enhanced controls before work proceeds.

Fire

Energy input, combustible substrates, residues and adjacent materials all contribute to fire risk. Housekeeping, hot work controls and suitable extinguishing provision apply.

Electrical equipment

Equipment is inspected before use, supplies are confirmed, and isolation is agreed where cleaning takes place on or near powered plant.

Public protection

In occupied buildings and public areas, barriers, screens, signage and managed access prevent unintended entry to the controlled area.

Working at height

Access equipment is selected and used in line with the site assessment, including towers, MEWPs and scaffold provided by others.

Site access

Inductions, permits, escorting and working hours are agreed with the client before mobilisation.

No process is without risk. The purpose of assessment, controls and supervision is to reduce risk to a level that is acceptable for the site and the work being carried out.

Documentation

Records supplied with the work

Project RAMS, COSHH assessments, test patch records, daily inspection records and completion reports are available for commercial projects.