P-385-63 Range Safety Pamphlet Download

g. Protected personnel. Personnel within the LSDZ will wear laser eye protection during laser operations. Eyewear must be appropriate for the wavelength and corresponding optical density required of the laser system in use. Skin protection should be worn when appropriate. h. Aided viewing. Aided viewing involves the use of optical devices including binoculars, scopes, rangefinders, and so forth. The magnification of laser energy can significantly increase the NOHD of the laser. The use of magnifying optical devices to observe the target during laser operation is permitted if specular surfaces have been removed from the LSDZ, appropriate laser filters are used, or it is being viewed beyond the NOHD-magnified. Optical devices not marked with the level of protection at the laser wavelength should be assumed to offer no protection unless verified. Personnel should not deliberately view direct laser radiation with magnifying optical instruments within NOHD- magnified unless the optical devices have the appropriate filtration to limit the exposure to below the MPE level. i. Optical interrupt laser systems. Optical interrupt (OI) laser systems use intense light to cause visual field obscuration in targeted individuals. OIs are intended to be primarily a warning device, with an inherent and secondary capability to achieve ocular suppression effects as the situation dictates. The OI device should meet stringent safety criteria and be able to deliver a warning effect to targeted personnel by obscuring their vision. The devices currently in use may be Class 3R or greater laser systems that can be safely employed for training. However, due to the intensity of the laser beam, it can pose an eye hazard within the NOHD if incorrectly employed. If exposure distances are known and briefed prior to use which are equal to or less than the NOHD of the system, the OI laser system must be terminated. j. Backstops. Backstops, natural or manmade, are features downrange from the target which terminate the beam, thus limiting the hazard distance. The optimal use of backstops is key to minimizing laser hazards. k. Buffer zones. The buffer zone is a conical volume starting at the laser exit port and extending to the backstop or NOHD, expanding over this distance as defined by the divergence of the laser plus buffer angle. The buffer angle depends on the aiming accuracy and stability of the laser device and is usually greater than the divergence. The laser horizontal buffer zone could be partially or completely included in the danger zones of other weapons used on ranges. l. Laser surface danger zone designation. The LSDZ is the designated region or ground area where laser radiation levels may exceed MPE levels, thereby requiring control during laser operation. When used in conjunction with live- fire weapons, the LSDZ might be more elongated than the SDZ/WDZ if not terminated by an adequate backstop. LSDZs can be generated, either manually or by using the RMTK laser range management tool, to support training plans, map data, information requests, and so forth. This effort includes inputting the laser system and range data (for example, firing points and targets) and performing analysis to mitigate risk to ensure the laser training can be safely conducted on a given operational training range. m. Hazardous laser output. Unless otherwise specifically authorized, when lasers are not in use, hazardous laser output should be prevented by removing batteries, installing such devices as output covers, or rotating the laser into the stowed position. n. Laser exit port. The laser exit port must be covered or stowed and the device turned off when not engaged in training. Non-laser operations such as viewing through common optics can be conducted in a non-laser controlled area with the laser exit port cover removed if the laser is turned off. o. Laser systems modes. When laser systems have both training and combat operating modes, the combat mode will be employed only if safely contained in the laser training range’s controlled area. SOPs will enforce this measure. p. Force-on-force operations. Force-on-force laser operations involve combat simulation, target acquisition, illumi- nation and/or pointing, target designation, weapons guidance, or range-finding against friendly and/or opposing forces. Force-on-force laser tactical exercises are approved on a case-by-case basis, dependent on the scheme of maneuver and risk analysis submitted by the using unit. Tactical exercises involving force-on-force units using laser systems other than the Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System may require approval by the senior commander (Army)/ installation commander (Marine Corps). Only Service-approved laser devices are used in force-on-force tactical exercises. Risk management procedures are completed in accordance with FM 5–19, MCRP 5–12D, and MCO 3500. 27B. 16–2. Procedural guidance The policies and responsibilities for laser usage on ranges and training areas are defined in AR 385–63/MCO 3570.1C. Provided is procedural guidance on how to fulfill those policies and responsibilities. a. Specific institutional guidance for laser range safety. The institutional laser range authority provides guidance to installations via Service-specific regulations. The institutional laser range authority maintains publications relating to laser use on ranges and establishes or recommends the requirements for training programs. They ensure certification of ranges for laser use in accordance with paragraph 16–3 of this pamphlet. (1) Army. The CG, U.S. Army Public Health Command Nonionizing Radiation Program (MCHB–IP–ONR) provides laser range specific technical expertise to the CG, TRADOC (ATIC–LTR–O) on laser hazards to personnel operating lasers. The U.S. Army Public Health Command expertise includes evaluation of laser systems and recommendations on policies and procedures to limit exposure to lasers on ranges. A non-ionizing radiation protection study by the U.S. Army Public Health Command and a safety confirmation by the Developmental Test Command of the U.S. Army Test 204 DA PAM 385–63 • 16 April 2014