Category Archives: ANSI Standards

Two of a Kind Sale Kicks Off Re-Launch of Electronic ANSI Z136 Standards

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ORLANDO, FL, Nov. 18, 2014 — Back by popular demand, Laser Institute of America (LIA) is excited to announce that the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z136 series of laser safety standards are once again available in digital format. No longer bound to only a hard copy, customers can now enjoy the flexibility of owning an electronic version of the same Z136 standard necessary for their particular profession. These standards, available for purchase from LIA directly, are essential tools for anyone using lasers in their business operations. The ANSI Z136 standards provide guidance for the safe use of lasers in the medical, telecommunication, manufacturing, and educational fields.

All nine of the Z136 standards are now available electronically including the parent standard Z136.1 Safe Use of Lasers. Serving as the cornerstone of all Z136 documents, the Z136.1 contains nationwide guidelines for the establishment of laser safety programs in industrial, military, research and development, and educational applications. The Z136.1 was updated and re-released just this year, and contains several updates including new definitions of key terms, all of which are searchable in the electronic format.

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Newly Revised ANSI Z136.1 Standard Fosters a Safe Facility

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By Geoff Giordano

With the rollout of the updated ANSI Z136.1 parent standard for laser safety, the Laser Institute of America is updating its training courses to reflect the new guidelines, revised for the first time since 2007.

The new ANSI Z136.1 American National Standard for Safe Use of Lasers is a must-have for several reasons, says Barbara Sams, executive director of the Board of Laser Safety (BLS®).

“If you have the 2007 version, you need the 2014 to take advantage of the substantial changes” such as new maximum permissible exposure limits (MPEs) and new definitions of key terms. Some sections and appendices have also been dramatically retooled to make them easier to use. Continue reading →

LIA Releases Revised ANSI Z136.1 Standard to Promote Safer Facilities

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Updated for the first time in the last seven years, the new American National Standard for Safe Use of Lasers will be available through the Laser Institute of America, secretariat of the Accredited Standards Committee (ASC) Z136, which develops the laser safety standards. The ANSI Z136.1 standard guides the safe use of lasers and laser systems by defining control measures for the seven laser hazard classifications.

“There have been extensive changes to the ANSI Z136.1 standard with a focus on increasing usability,” explained Ben Rockwell, chairman of ASC Z136 Standards Subcommittee 1 (SSC-1). “Significant increases in the MPE in the near-infrared will enable a plethora of new laser applications. Several sections were rewritten to reorganize, update and improve technical content to allow for easier access to information necessary for everyday laser safety implementation.”

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ANSI Z136.3 Improves User and Patient Safety in Health Care

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With more therapeutic procedures moving into private medical offices and homes, the standard regulating the safe use of lasers in health care ensures that users, as well as patients, are protected.

The ANSI Z136.3 Safe Use of Lasers in Health Care publication defines the parameters of proper laser use outside the tightly regulated hospital environment and includes guidelines and information on:

  • Wavelengths employed in medical environments
  • The duties of laser safety officers involved with rented or borrowed laser equipment
  • Audit requirements and procedures
  • Clinically relevant terminology

The comprehensive ANSI Z136.3 standard addresses everything from laser systems hazard classification, to protective equipment, to non-beam hazards and room design. One of nine ANSI Z136 laser safety standards in use, the ANSI Z136.3 standard serves to “acknowledge the diversity of laser therapy applications and practice setting locations,” according to Peter Baker, LIA’s executive director. Continue reading →

Newly Revised ANSI Z136.1: A Vital Standard for Laser Safety Success

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By Geoff Giordano

New maximum permissible exposure limits (MPEs), new definitions and newly rewritten sections are among the main highlights of the just-revised parent standard for laser safety, the ANSI Z136.1-2014.

Updated for the first time in the last seven years, the new American National Standard for Safe Use of Lasers will be available through the Laser Institute of America, secretariat of the Accredited Standards Committee (ASC) Z136, which develops the laser safety standards. The ANSI Z136.1 standard guides the safe use of lasers and laser systems by defining control measures for the seven laser hazard classifications. Continue reading →