Discussion

Thursday 8th September Paper 1

“APPLICATIONS OP THE LASER IN CIVIL ENGINEERING MEASUREMENTS”

Mr. A. Luxmoore, University of Wales

Reported by MR.D.H.Mitchell, C.E.G.B. (Berkeley Nuclear Laboratories)

Dr.E.J.Hearn (City of Birmingham Polytechnic) asked wbat effect the new Health and Safety at Work Act would have on the use of lasers on

site.

Mr.Luxmoore replied that he was not sure of the exact stipulation of the Act, but believed that safety glasses would have to be provided for all personnel. The methods he had described used fairly weak lasers in any case, where a momentary look directly into the beam would not cause permanent damage, but he agreed that some precautions were obviaisly necessary. He felt thgt, provided the equipment was used by responsible personnel there should be no unsurmountable problems.