Qualification of personal protective equipment for the use of hand-held laser processing devices

The number of applications for hand-held laser processing devices is increasing steadily. Starting with precision welding, today, hand-held laser processing devices are available for welding, cutting, cladding, hardening and cleaning. The devices are used in the automotive, engineering and tool making industry, and are currently tested in the shipbuilding industry.The safety of hand-held laser processing devices (HLDs) is a fundamental requirement. However, a number of questions regarding both the safe design and the safe use of the devices are still open. In 2005, a research project was started to test and qualify personal protective clothing for the use with hand-held laser processing devices, and to define minimum safety requirements for laser protection. In a first step, a number of different commercially available technical textiles and leather that are used as heat and flame protection textiles (for e.g. welders, workers exposed to heat/flames and racing car drivers) were tested. Also, typical work ...