“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.”
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:
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
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
An early supporter of the LIA, Sidney was the first secretary of the Z136 and later served, for many years, as the chairman of that committee. He was a pioneer in the field of industrial laser applications and was a trailblazer in laser safety through his various roles with the Z136 Committee.
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