Fibre Optic Safety: Safety Rules When working with Fibre Optics

At ACCL we ensure that we:

• Keep all food and beverages out of the work area. If fibre particles are ingested they can cause internal haemorrhaging.
• Always wear safety glasses with side shields to protect your eyes from fibre shards or splinters. Treat fibre optic splinters the same as you would treat glass splinters.
• Keep track of all fibre and cable scraps and dispose of them properly. If available, work on black work mats and wear disposable lab aprons to minimise fibre particles on your clothing. Fibre particles on your clothing can later get into food, drinks, and/or be ingested by other means.
• Never look directly into the end of fibre cables – especially with a microscope – until you are positive that there is no light source at the other end – having tested it with a power meter. Use a fibre optic power meter to make certain the fibre is dark. When using an optical tracer or continuity checker, look at the fibre from an angle at least 6 inches away from your eye to determine if the visible light is present.
• Ensure ‘Contact lens’ wearers do not handle their lenses until they have thoroughly washed their hands.
• Do not touch eyes while working with fibre optic systems until your hands have been thoroughly washed.
• Only work in well-ventilated areas.
• Keep all combustible materials safely away from the curing ovens and fusion splicers.
• When finished with the lab, dispose of all scraps properly. Put all fibre scraps in a properly marked container for disposal.
• Thoroughly clean your work area when you are done.