In the world of manufacturing, employers and manufacturers must follow countless domestic and international regulations designed to keep workers safe. These are especially important in industries where professionals work in dangerous environments with hazardous materials.
Two regulatory agencies ensure business owners work to keep their employees and the environment safe. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) which ensures safe and healthy conditions for workers, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), whose mission is protecting human health and the environment. Both of these entities have regulations specifically dealing with laser systems used for manufacturing.
OSHA laser safety standard 29 CFR 1910 outlines requirements for employers to protect workers from the hazards of laser radiation. Compliance involves using proper protective equipment, limiting exposure and ensuring appropriate training and warning systems are in place. While laser systems may not directly fall under EPA regulations, their by-products, such as emissions and waste disposal, are regulated by the EPA. This includes ensuring proper disposal of chemicals and materials used in laser processes and properly managing any emissions released into the air.
Laser Ablation is considered much safer than alternative coatings removal processes, however, businesses must still exercise safety precautions while using lasers as a heat source. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) do provide important information when using heat to remove paint and other substances. Using laser-rated protective eyewear and face masks is a necessity while operating Class IV lasers. Using a fume extractor also helps to remove fumes from the air during laser blasting. Operating lasers under these circumstances can help ensure a completely safe and more efficient method of coatings removal for shipyards.
Historically, sandblasting has been the go-to method for industrial cleaning in industries around the world. However, sandblasting has faced increasing criticism due to the health and safety issues it poses. Sandblasting involves using high-pressure air to propel abrasive particles onto the surface of a material to remove coatings, corrosion or other contaminants. Laser cleaning achieves even better results, eliminating the waste disposal cost and problems while avoiding the risk of Silicosis sandblasting can pose.
Laser cleaning is considered more cost-effective, time-efficient, easy-to-use and eco-friendly than all traditional methods, which has understandably led to laser cleaning's increased adoption in markets worldwide. Utilizing laser systems, companies have been tackling long-standing challenges with greater accuracy, enabling manufacturers to increase capabilities while streamlining processes and achieving high-quality results.
These factors led Laser Photonics Corporation LASE, a leading global industrial pioneer of laser systems, to develop its line of cutting-edge laser cleaning products. With its OSHA and EPA-approved CleanTech systems, the company provides industry professionals with a laser-blasting solution for corrosion control, coating removal, pre-weld preparation, post-weld treatment, laser cleaning, surface conditioning and more.
CleanTech laser cleaning systems focus a high-powered laser onto targeted areas, removing contaminants such as rust, corrosion, residue and paint from a wide range of materials without causing any harm to the underlying surface.
The global blasting market is projected to grow to $12 billion by 2025. As technology has continued to advance, laser systems have become increasingly essential in manufacturing, driving innovation and pushing the boundaries of what is possible while enhancing workplace safety. Laser Photonics continues to reinforce its position as an industry leader, with a focus on providing reliable and safe solutions and world-class laser machinery to its global customer base.
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