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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.