Download Optical Fibre handling safety

SCHOOL OF PHYSICS
Optical Fibre handling safety
The aim of this document is to highlight some of the risks associated with the
handling of optical fibres. All staff and students who work in the School of
Physics laboratories that use optical fibres, should be aware of these dangers
and mitigate them where possible (by for example, wearing the correct safety
gear).
1. Eye Safety
The light that exits an optical fiber is also spreading out in a cone, so the
farther away from the end of the fiber your eye is, the lower the amount of
power your eye receives. If you are using a microscope, which can efficiently
focus all the light into your eye, it should have infrared filters to reduce the
danger of invisible infrared light.
The infrared light in fiber optic links is at a wavelength that cannot penetrate
your eye easily because it's absorbed by the water in your eyeball.
Light in the 1300-1550 nm range is unlikely to damage your retina, but might
harm the cornea or lens. A typical laser pointer, which has a beam that is
collimated (not expanding), and is at visible wavelength (650 nm) where the
eye is transparent, is probably more danger to the retina than a fiber optic link.
That being said, it's not a good idea to look into a fiber unless you know no
source is being transmitted down it. Since the light is infrared, you can't see it,
which means you cannot tell if there is light present by looking at it. You
should always check the fiber with a power meter before examining it.
The real issue of eye safety is getting fiber scraps into the eye. As part of the
termination and splicing process, you will be continually exposed to small
scraps of bare fiber, cleaved off the ends of the fibers being terminated or
spliced. These scraps are very dangerous. If they get into your eyes, they are
very hard to flush out and will probably lead to a trip to the emergency room at
the hospital. Whenever you are working with fiber, wear safety glasses!
2. Bare Fiber Safety
The broken ends of fibers and scraps of fiber created during termination and
splicing can be extremely dangerous. The ends are extremely sharp and can
easily penetrate your skin. They invariably break off and are very hard to find
and remove. Sometimes a pair of tweezers and perhaps a magnifying glass will
get them out. Most of the time, you have to wait to let them infect and work
themselves out, which can be painful!
SCHOOL OF PHYSICS
Be careful when handling fibers to not stick the broken ends into your fingers.
Dispose of all scraps properly in a yellow sharps bin. Do not drop fiber scraps
on the floor where they will stick in carpets or shoes and be carried elsewherelike home!
Obviously do not eat or drink anywhere near the work area. Fiber scraps can
get into food or drink and be swallowed. The scraps can imbed themselves in
you digestive system and can do damage.
3. Materials Safety
Fiber optic splicing and termination use various chemical cleaners and
adhesives as part of the processes. Normal handling procedures for these
substances should be observed. If you are not certain of how to deal with them,
ask the manufacturer for a MSDS. Always work in well-ventilated areas. Avoid
skin contact as much as possible, and stop using chemicals that cause allergic
reactions. Even simple isopropyl alcohol, used as a cleaner, is flammable and
should be handled carefully.
4. Fire Safety
Note that fusion splicers use an electric arc to make splices, so care must be
taken to insure no flammable gasses are contained in the space where fusion
splicing is done.
5. Fibre safety handing video
The following video is a lecture on fibre handling.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhqclWudh7s
-Discusses how fibre optic systems are only used with infrared light, however,
the USYD labs use optical systems as well.
Summary of fibre handling safety Rules:
1. Keep all food and beverages out of the work area. If fiber particles are
ingested they can cause internal hemorrhaging.
2. Wear laboratory coat or disposable apron to minimize fiber particles on your
clothing. Fiber particles can become lodged in clothing and can later get into
food, drinks, and/or be ingested by other means. A coat also insures
laboratory chemicals do not harm clothing.
SCHOOL OF PHYSICS
3. Always wear safety glasses with side shields and protective gloves
(particularly if the fibres have been treated with etching chemicals). Treat fiber
optic splinters the same as you would glass splinters.
4. Never look directly into the end of fiber cables until you are positive that
there is no light source at the other end. For optical light, look at the fibre from
a distance first. For infrared light, use a fiber optic power meter to make
certain the fiber is dark.
5. Only work in well ventilated areas if using chemicals to clean or process the
fibres.
6. Do not touch your eyes or mouth while working with fiber optic systems until
your hands have been thoroughly washed. Contact lens wearers must not
handle their lenses until they have thoroughly washed their hands.
7. Keep all combustible materials safely away from the curing ovens.
8. Put all cut or broken fiber pieces in the yellow sharps bins for disposal.
10. Thoroughly clean your work area when you are done. Use adhesive tape to
pick up any broken fibre pieces from surfaces to ensure no one leans on them
or knocks them onto the floor.