Category Archives: LIA Publications

ILSC 2015 showcases the importance of CLSOs, CMLSOs in protecting workers and patients

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By Geoff Giordano

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — This morning, the International Laser Safety Conference kicks off with the annual meeting of the ASC Z136, the committee that produces the ANSI Z136 laser safety standards. Later, this evening’s welcome reception will be a relaxed introduction to an intensive, informative week.

Dozens of CLSOs and CMLSOs will be among the attendees at ILSC 2015. Take our CLSO/CMLSO survey to help us create a database documenting the benefits of certification.

It’s been two years since the first ILSC I attended, but the impact of that event has remained quite clear. Unlike the rest of LIA’s events, ILSC isn’t all about the wonderful things today’s lasers can help manufacture. ILSC takes a hard look at the damage done when lasers are handled improperly or used under less-than-perfect conditions.

Yes, ILSC does look ahead to new laser technologies and therapies — for example, the future of semiconductor lasers is the subject of a pair of sessions. But the primary focus is the significant human and monetary cost of laser hazards, and the tireless efforts of the experts gathered here to mitigate those hazards.

Among the experts here are dozens of certified laser safety officers (CLSOs) and medical laser safety officers (CMLSOs) who have gone the extra mile to qualify their credentials through the Board of Laser Safety’s tailored programs. Now more than 10 years old, the CLSO and CMLSO programs have bolstered the credibility of laser safety professionals in a broad range of institutions, from NASA and Boeing to numerous universities, laboratories and health-care facilities.

It’s perhaps not exaggeration to suggest that these certified laser safety professionals have prevented millions of dollars in damages and lawsuits thanks to their commitment to pursue CLSO and CMLSO status. One of the many sessions I’m looking forward to will document the changes in attitude of students following laser safety training, research performed by ILSC General Chair John O’Hagan of Public Health England, his PHE colleague Michael Higlett, and John Tyrer, chair of ILSC’s Laser Safety Scientific Sessions.

The biennial ILSC is always an exciting gathering of the top minds in laser safety — the people who write or enforce the standards that keep thousands of workers, researchers and patients safe. The work presented is testament to the discipline of laser safety. To further that discipline, we are asking our CLSOs and CMLSOs to help us create a database of information that attests to the credibility conferred by their certification. Please spend a few minutes taking our CLSO/CMLSO survey; your answers will help us demonstrate the value of certification to your employers and peers.

We look forward to catching up with old friends and meeting new ones this week. Please stop by the LIA booth for exclusive deals on laser safety publications.

Geoff is LIA’s communications director. To share your stories, tips and suggestions, contact him at ggiordano@lia.org.

LIA’s Laser Safety Guide Revised for 2015

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ORLANDO, FL, Jan 19, 2015 — For the first time since 2007, the Laser Institute of America has updated its acclaimed Laser Safety Guide making it a necessity for every safe laser environment. Easy to comprehend and full of practical information, the Laser Safety Guide is a quick read that can benefit anyone who uses lasers in their workplace. The Laser Safety Guide has been revised to comply with the new terminology and guidelines of the 2014 edition of the ANSI Z136.1 Safe Use of Lasers standard. It can be used in conjunction with or as a supplement to any of the ANSI Z136 standards.

“The new Laser Safety Guide is an update of the document that reflects the dramatic changes in the ANSI Z136.1-2014 standard.  The guide is a fundamental tool for any laser safety expert who desires to develop and advance a laser safety program or execute laser safety for a single laser,” says Ben Rockwell, prior chair of the ANSI Z136.1 rewrite committee and editor of the revision for the Laser Safety Guide. Rockwell recommends everyone who uses lasers have this guide. “It is geared toward the beginner in laser safety, but would benefit even the most seasoned expert.  The guide progresses through fundamental concepts of laser safety, with examples where they provide an understanding of the application of the standard.”

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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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LIA Today September/October edition available online!

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The latest LIA Today has been published and is now available online. If you have never read LIA Today we encourage you to flip open a few pages! Those of you who have read it in the past know what a great publication this is.If you would like to take a look you can find LIA Today online here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Make Vital Laser Hazard Analysis Calculations with the Evaluator

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Orlando, FL (Oct. 1, 2014) – Are you an overworked laser safety officer (LSO) in a high-pressure commercial or research facility? Need to make vital hazard analysis calculations on the fly? Look no further than the Evaluator — the Laser Institute of America’s industry-first web-based system that helps you quickly and easily ensure a laser-safe environment.

Now updated to reflect the changes in the 2014 version of the ANSI Z136.1 parent standard for laser safety, the Evaluator provides LSOs of all skill levels a robust yet easy-to-use online system for calculating potential laser hazards. Still using the 2007 version of ANSI Z136.1? No problem: The ability to perform calculations under those criteria has been retained in the new version as well.

This unique tool features three subscription levels — basic, intermediate and advanced — to allow you to pay only for the features you need.

• Basic: Designed for users with minimal experience, the Basic package provides the essential and fundamental laser hazard calculations in an easy and simple format.

• Intermediate: Our most popular subscription level, the Intermediate package provides the best solution for industrial applications and organizations where laser safety calculations are needed for eye and skin hazards.

• Advanced: Perfect for the professional LSO working in research facilities, government, military and advanced laboratories, the Advanced subscription level includes all the most comprehensive features available for performing sophisticated laser calculations.

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