What must workers do immediately after a laser incident occurs?

After a laser incident occurs, the immediate responsibility of workers is to notify the workplace supervisor and seek medical care if necessary. This priority is crucial for several reasons. First, reporting the incident to a supervisor ensures that appropriate measures can be taken to manage the situation, including addressing any potential hazards that may continue to pose risks to workers. Immediate communication helps to initiate an investigation into the incident, which is essential for understanding what went wrong and preventing future occurrences.

Additionally, seeking medical care is paramount, especially if there is any possibility of injury, such as eye exposure to laser radiation or skin burns. Prompt medical evaluation can help assess the extent of any injuries and provide necessary treatment.

While completing an incident report is important, it typically comes after ensuring that immediate safety measures are taken, including notifying a supervisor and caring for any injured personnel. Similarly, waiting for a Unit Commander to take action or ensuring all lasers are shut down would unnecessarily delay critical medical attention and incident reporting in an emergency situation. Prioritizing health and safety aligns with standard operating procedures in handling workplace incidents, making the choice of notifying a supervisor and seeking medical care the most critical step immediately following a laser incident.