PROMULGATION OF THE COAST GUARD LIGHT AMPLIFICATION BY

R 081849Z JUL 11 ALCOAST 326/11 COMDTNOTE 5103 SUBJ: PROMULGATION OF THE COAST GUARD LIGHT AMPLIFICATION BY STIMULATED EMISSION OF RADIATION (LASER) HAZARD CONTROL POLICY, COMDTINST 5100.27 1. THIS ALCOAST ANNOUNCES THE PROMULGATION OF THE COAST GUARD LIGHT AMPLIFICATION BY STIMULATED EMISSION OF RADIATION (LASER) HAZARD CONTROL POLICY, COMDTINST 5100.27. THIS INSTRUCTION IS A RESULT OF SIGNIFICANT EFFORTS UNDERTAKEN TO DEVELOP THE COMPREHENSIVE POLICY AND PROCEDURES REQUIRED UNDER FEDERAL LAW TO EMPLOY THESE TECHNOLOGIES. 2. AS THE COAST GUARD MODERNIZES ITS OPERATIONAL RESOURCES, SEVERAL OF OUR NEW PLATFORMS ARE EXPECTED TO COME EQUIPPED WITH LASER CAPABILITIES PREVIOUSLY FOUND ONLY IN RESEARCH, MEDICAL AND DISTINCTLY DOD FUNCTIONS. CONCURRENTLY, ADVANCEMENTS IN TECHNOLOGY HAVE MADE IT EASIER TO PURCHASE LASER EQUIPMENT FOR INDUSTRIAL AND MAINTENANCE RELATED APPLICATIONS THAT COULD PRESENT A HAZARD TO OPERATORS AND COWORKERS IF OPERATED OUTSIDE OF SPECIFIC GUIDELINES. TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF OUR PEOPLE AND REMAIN IN COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATIONS THIS INSTRUCTION OUTLINES THE LASER HAZARD CONTROL POLICY TO BE USED WHEN ACQUIRING NEW SYSTEMS OR SEEKING AUTHORIZATION TO EMPLOY CURRENTLY OWNED LASER SYSTEMS. THE POLICY APPLIES IMMEDIATELY TO ALL LASER EQUIPMENT BEING CONSIDERED FOR ACQUISITION, THOSE CURRENTLY IN USE, OPERATIONAL OR INDUSTRIAL, AND WILL BE SYSTEMATICALLY APPLIED TO LASER EMITTING DEVICES AWAITING IMPLEMENTATION (OWNED BUT NOT YET OPERATIONALLY FIELDED). 3. LASER INVENTORY: TO PROPERLY ASSESS THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH LASER USAGE, ALL UNITS SHALL CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE INVENTORY OF LASER PRODUCTS USED AT THEIR UNIT OR FACILITY. THIS INVENTORY (OF ALL CLASSES) CAN BE USEFUL IN HELPING AN INDIVIDUAL COMMAND EVALUATE RISKS AND DEVELOP MITIGATION STRATEGIES. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON LASERS AND CONTROL MEASURES CAN BE FOUND AT: HTTP://WWW.OSHA.GOV. INFORMATION ON UNIT HELD CLASS 3B AND CLASS 4 LASERS WILL BE FORWARDED ON TO COMDT (CG-11) FOR TRACKING AND APPROVAL PURPOSES AS REQUIRED IN THE INSTRUCTION. 4. NEW ACQUISITIONS: PROGRAM MANAGERS AND ACQUISITION OFFICES THAT INTEND TO PURCHASE CLASS 3A OR CLASS 3R LASERS WITHOUT AN FDA ASSURANCE NUMBER, OR ANY CLASS 3B OR CLASS 4 LASERS, MUST CONTACT COMDT (CG-11) REPS DESIGNATED BELOW TO DISCUSS CERTIFICATION, INTENDED USE, AND CONTROL MEASURES NEEDED FOR SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION. A CGPORTAL HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED THAT HAS ALL OF THE DRAFT PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS AND PROCESS GUIDES REQUIRED FOR SYSTEM REVIEW. CONTACT LCDR SHANA DONALDSON FOR ACCESS TO THE SITE. 5. OPERATIONAL USE OF LASERS FOR OTHER THAN INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES: A. FOR ALL UNITS, DOD EXEMPTIONS DO NOT TRANSFER TO USCG OWNED LASER SYSTEMS OR PLANNED PURCHASES. UNITS WISHING TO EMPLOY A LASER MUST COMPLY WITH THE PROCEDURES SET FORTH IN THIS POLICY REGARDLESS OF DOD EXEMPTION STATUS. B. FOR AVIATION UNITS, THE USE OF LASERS (REGARDLESS OF CLASSIFICATION) IN CONJUNCTION WITH AVIATION OPERATIONS REQUIRES APPROVAL FROM THE AIRCRAFT CONFIGURATION CONTROL BOARD (ACCB) PRIOR TO USE. SUBMIT ACCB REQUESTS IAW NORMAL PROCEDURES. C. FOR ALL OTHER OPERATIONAL UNITS, IF USING A LASER LOWER THAN CLASS 3B, THE UNIT MUST ENSURE THE LASER HAS AN FDA ASSURANCE NUMBER AND REVIEW THE PROCEDURES IN PLACE REGARDING THE USE OF LASERS TO ENSURE USERS ARE AWARE OF ANY ASSOCIATED RISKS THAT MAY BE PRESENT. CONTACT COMDT (CG-11) REPS LISTED BELOW IF ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED WITH IMPLEMENTING LASER HAZARD CONTROL MITIGATION STRATEGIES. 6. ELECTRONIC COPIES OF THE INSTRUCTION ARE AVAILABLE ON CG PORTAL. (TO ACCESS, LOG INTO CG PORTAL, CLICK ON THE REFERENCES TAB, CLICK NEXT ON THE USCG DIRECTIVES LINK, CLICK AGAIN ON THE USCG DIRECTIVES LINK, AND CLICK ON THE LINK FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY). IT IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON THE COMDT WEBSITE AT THE BELOW LINK: HTTP://CGWEB.COMDT.USCG.MIL/CGDIRECTIVEWELCOME.HTM. PAPER COPIES OF THE INSTRUCTION WILL NOT BE DISTRIBUTED. 7. COMDT (CG-113) SAFETY POLICY/CERTIFICATION/PROTECTION CONCERNS: LCDR SHANA DONALDSON 202-475-5199 OR MS. CAROLYN ONYE 202-475-5214. 8. COMDT (CG-112) MEDICAL CONCERNS: CDR ERICA SCHWARTZ 202-475-5172. 9. RADM MARK TEDESCO, DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, SAFETY AND WORKLIFE, SENDS. 10. INTERNET RELEASE IS AUTHORIZED.