Laser Cutter/Risk Assessment Laser Cutter (Blue)

Risk Assessment

Company Name	Manchester Hackspace
Assessment Completed by	Chris Hilliard
Date	28-July-2015
Activity or area being assessed	(40W CO2 A4) - Shenhui K40-III (modified)
Location	Workshop

Who might be affected

Operator	X
Other Members	X
Visitors/Public	X
Others (please describe)

Hazards

Hazard Type	Description of Hazard	Initial Risk			Action Required	Final Risk
		Severity	Probability	Rating		Severity	Probability	Rating
Fumes	Fumes generated due to inappropriate material use	3	4	12	Extractor fan, venting outside building. Standard list of known materials to be drawn up, and further materials added after checking the material data sheet where possible. Machine only to be operated by competent persons.	2	3	6
Smoke	Smoke particulates created during operation	4	2	8	Extractor fan, venting outside building. List of permitted materials to be drawn up Machine only to be operated by competent persons Extractor to be left running until unit is clear before opening lid	4	1	4
Fire (electrical)	Due to electrical failure	2	5	10	Machine not to be left unsupervised Machine to be taken out of use if damaged Machine to be visually inspected before use Appropriate fire extinguisher to be available at all times	1	2	2
Fire (material)	Due to improper material use	3	5	15	List of permitted materials to be drawn up Machine only to be operated by competent persons Machine not to be left unsupervised Appropriate fire extinguisher to be available at all times	2	2	4
Burns	personal injury in the form of burns due to the laser's beam	3	4	12	Enclosure integrity to be checked before use Machine only to be operated by competent persons	1	4	4
Electric Shock	Electric shock personal injury and resultant injury - burns and tissue damage.	2	5	10	Machine to be taken out of use if damaged Machine to be visually inspected before use	1	2	2
Blindness/Eye Injury	Blindness/Eye Injury due to laser beam or reflections	3	4	12	Enclosure integrity to be checked before use Machine only to be operated by competent persons Reflective materials not to be placed within enclosure	1	4	4

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PPE Requirements

Head Protection	Eye Protection	Ear Protection	Respiration Protection	Hand Protection	High Visibility	Safety Harness
Not required	Not required	Not required	Not required	Not required	Not required	Not required

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Additional Notes

Any member who wishes to use the equipment must be trained in its safe operation by the Laser Team, and supervised until competent. The findings of this risk assessment should be explained to the member. Any hazards discovered during use of the equipment should be investigated and this Risk Assessment updated if necessary.

Reference source: RapMan Australia

Guide to the risk matrix points system

Hazard severity	Points rating	Definition
Nil	1	Very minor injury, bruise, graze, no risk of disease.
Slight	2	Minor injury, which would allow the individual to continue work after first aid treatment on site or at a local surgery. The duration of the stoppage or treatment is such that the normal flow of work is not seriously interrupted.
Moderate	3	Temporary disability causing injury or disease capable of keeping an individual off work for three days or more and reportable under RIDDOR
High	4	Causing death, serious injury or permanent disability to an individual.
Very high	5	Causing multiple deaths and widespread destruction eg. fire, building collapse.

Hazard probability	Points Rating	Definition
Remote possibility	1	There is really no risk present. Only under freak conditions could there be any possibility of an accident or illness. All reasonable precautions have been taken - This should be the normal state of the workplace.
Unlikely	2	This incident or illness might occur but the probability is low and the risk minimal.
Possible	3	The accident may occur if additional factors precipitate it, but it is unlikely to happen without them.
Highly likely	4	Will happen more often than not. Additional factors could precipitate an incident but it is still likely to happen without this additional factor.
Inevitable	5	If the work continues as it is, there is almost 100% certainty that an accident will happen, for example: • A broken stair or broken rung on a ladder • Bare, exposed electrical conductors • Unstable stacks of heavy boxes

Risk Rating Definitions
Score	Definition	Action
1 to 4	Low	No action required
5 to 9	Moderate	Reduce risks if reasonably practicable
10 to 15	High Risk	Priority action to be undertaken
16 to 25	Unacceptable	Action must be taken IMMEDIATELY

Points System
	1 Nil	2 Slight	3 Moderate	4 High	5 Very High
1 Remote	L	L	L	L	M
2 Unlikely	L	L	M	M	H
3 Possible	L	M	M	H	H
4 Highly Likely	L	M	H	U	U
5 Ineveitable	M	H	H	U	U