Tag Archives: board of laser safety

Board of Laser Safety (BLS) Illumination Award Recognizes Mount Sinai Health System at ILSC 2017

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The new award recognizes an institution, company, or organization that directly employs a certified Laser Safety Officer & makes outstanding contributions to the laser safety community

ORLANDO, FL (PRWEB) MAY 11, 2017

The Board of Laser Safety (BLS) is proud to announce the first recipient of the BLS Illumination Award, Mount Sinai Health System. The award was presented at the BLS CLSO & CMLSO Appreciation Reception during the 2017 International Laser Safety Conference on March 20 at the Sheraton Atlanta Airport in Atlanta, GA.

Laser Institute of America’s (LIA) International Laser Safety Conference (ILSC®), held biennially, gathers hundreds of laser safety professionals from around the world to discuss the latest topics in medical and industrial laser safety.

BLS-Plaque-to-Mount-Sinai

The BLS Illumination Award has been created to recognize an institution, company or organization that directly employs a certified laser safety officer and provides encouragement and support for employee participation within the laser safety community and/or has made outstanding contributions to the field of laser safety.

Jacob Kamen, who received the award at ILSC 2017 on behalf of his employer, Mount Sinai Health System, said it validates all the effort and energy Mount Sinai has put into its Laser Safety Program over the past 7 years.

“The Mount Sinai Health System is very proud to be a recipient of the BLS Illumination Award. This award validates Mount Sinai has been a significant supporter of laser safety education,” Kamen said.

Partnering with Laser Institute of America to host New York City’s first-ever LIA MLSO course in 2015, Mount Sinai Health System has advanced its education goal further. Mount Sinai was also the first institution to sponsor the BLS certified medical laser safety officer (CMLSO) examination in New York City. Presently, Mount Sinai boasts three CMLSOs on staff. The Laser Safety Program has recently expanded to 8 hospitals that incorporate the Mount Sinai Health System.

Additionally, Mount Sinai has supplemented their online training by creating multiple laser safety training courses covering a variety of clinical and research areas. These courses have been used by more than 5,000 staff members throughout the entire Mount Sinai Health System.

“Mount Sinai hopes that this award will provide encouragement for other hospitals to follow the path and create a safe laser environment for employee and patients,” Kamen added.

Barbara Sams, Executive Director of BLS, says, “We were honored to be able to present the inaugural BLS Illumination Award to Mount Sinai at ILSC 2017. We feel it is important to recognize the employer who has the vision to see the significance of investing in its personnel and challenges its staff to seek knowledge through various channels of continuing education.”

Due to its popularity and success at ILSC 2017, BLS is now calling on all CLSOs and CMLSOs who would like their employer to be considered for the next award. To nominate your company/employer, please review the criteria and download the Nomination and Supporter forms, complete with submission instructions, from the BLS website. Nominations can also be submitted directly to Barbara Sams, Executive Director, at bls(at)lasersafety.org.

The Board of Laser Safety (BLS) is a non-profit organization affiliated with Laser Institute of America (LIA) and dedicated to the improvement in the practice of laser safety by providing opportunities for the education, assessment and recognition of laser safety professionals. To learn more about BLS and their certification opportunities for medical and non-medical laser safety professionals, please visit http://www.lasersafety.org.

The Laser Institute of America (LIA) supports the BLS’ mission by offering laser safety training for both LSOs and MLSOs. As the professional society for laser applications and safety, LIA is dedicated to serving the industrial, medical, research and government communities worldwide. For more information on the LIA, visit http://www.lia.org or call 1-800-34-LASER today.

Board of Laser Safety Announces Revised Certified Laser Safety Officer Exam to Begin in March 2017

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All CLSO exam questions reviewed for clarity and ANSI Z136.1-2014 Safe Use of Lasers standard compliance

For Immediate Release

ORLANDO, FL – The Board of Laser Safety (BLS) announces today that its Certified Laser Safety Officer (CLSO) exam is now revised to comply with the ANSI Z136.1 Safe Use of Lasers standard, 2014 edition. The CLSO exam is intended for all non-medical laser safety officers and is administered by the BLS.

The first in-person offering of the revised exam will take place on Sunday, March 19, at the Sheraton Atlanta Airport, the day before the official start of the 2017 International Laser Safety Conference (ILSC®). In addition to the March 19 exam preceding ILSC, future in-person opportunities to take the exam include June 9 in Denver, CO, and September 22 in Chicago, IL. The revised CLSO exam is also available via computer-based testing in the U.S. and Canada through PSI Comira.

“All questions on the revised exam have been reviewed by a team of subject-matter experts and are now presented more clearly and concisely so candidates can focus on the content of the question rather than how it is worded,” said Barbara Sams, BLS Executive Director.

Now is the time to register to take the newly revised CLSO exam to remain competitive in the field. Interested candidates are advised to contact the BLS office with any additional questions regarding the exam at +1.407.985.3810 or bls@lasersafety.org.

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About Board of Laser Safety

The Board of Laser Safety (BLS) is a non-profit organization affiliated with Laser Institute of America (LIA) and dedicated to the improvement in the practice of laser safety by providing opportunities for the education, assessment and recognition of laser safety professionals. To learn more about BLS and their certification opportunities for medical and non-medical laser safety professionals, please visit http://www.lasersafety.org.

About LIA

The Laser Institute of America (LIA) is the professional society for laser applications and safety serving the industrial, educational, medical, research and government communities throughout the world since 1968. http://www.lia.org, 13501 Ingenuity Drive, Ste 128, Orlando, FL 32826, +1.407.380.1553.

 

ILSC 2017: How Practical Applications Seminars & Scientific Sessions help MLSOs & LSOs Succeed

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By Alanna Ritchie

Laser safety professionals: It’s time to step outside of your routine. Learn from the foremost laser safety experts and discover resources that you can bring back to your organization at the 2017 edition of the International Laser Safety Conference (ILSC).

ILSC brings together many of the brightest minds and seasoned industry specialists from across the globe. From March 20-23 in Atlanta, GA, you can join your fellow laser safety professionals in attending presentations on the latest research and insights regarding safety standards and technical developments. By learning from peers and professionals, you’ll also become a better representative at your job or organization for ensuring safety with lasers per OSHA/ANSI standards.

Explore more of the benefits of ILSC below.

Benefits for Medical Laser Safety Officers and Laser Safety Officers

The Laser Institute of America has gathered together top members of the medical and scientific communities to give presentations during the four-day event. Medical Laser Safety Officers and Laser Safety Officers can deepen their knowledge of scientific developments; find solutions for dilemmas commonly encountered in day-to-day work; learn potential risks related to laser use and exposure, and critically examine the future of laser applications.

Professionals in the medical, military, government, environmental and insurance industries will all benefit from the Scientific Sessions and Practical Applications Seminars. In addition to networking between seminars, the seminars provide a unique opportunity to hear from those working using lasers in medical and technical fields and applying their experience to identify potential pitfalls with dangerous equipment.

What to Expect from the Medical Seminars

MLSOs can attend presentations and walk away with valuable insights that they can immediately apply to day-to-day tasks. With cutting-edge medical laser safety presentations, attendees from a variety of backgrounds will also have the chance to expand their scope of laser safety knowledge.

Learn about plume hazards, physics, and tissue interaction. Gain command of OR precautions by attending presentations on setting up a safety program, ethical dilemmas, and accidents. Make sure your understanding of current standards is up-to-date with upper airway guidelines, AORN practices, and ANSI standards.

What to Expect from the Technical Seminars

The Technical Practical Application Seminars are geared toward Laser Safety Officers but provide information that is applicable for other industries as well.

Brush up on topics such as laser safety in the workplace, determining Nominal Hazard Zones,  eye protection recommendations and identifying mandatory control measures. Improve your ability to gauge situations where laser use may become dangerous.  Find out which regulations apply directly to you and how you can control non-beam hazards.

Fuse Theory and Practice with Complementary Seminars

Each of these practical seminars along with the scientific sessions join together seamlessly to give you a foundation for determining and maintaining laser safety standards. As you find out about new and innovative products, research and analyses, you will expand your perspective of laser safety across industries. Each attendee has the chance to take these insights back to their own workplace and identify future problems and ways to improve current safety protocol.

Reserve your seat to attend practical and informative sessions at ILSC today: https://www.lia.org/conferences/ilsc. 

 

 

ILSC 2017: The Source for Laser Safety Updates

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

December 16, 2016 – Orlando, FL—The 2017 installment of LIA’s biennial International Laser Safety Conference (ILSC®) will take place March 20-23, in Atlanta, Georgia. Laser safety professionals from around the globe will gather to discuss all aspects of laser safety, from bioeffects research to control hazards to best practices for the Laser Safety Officer (LSO).

The conference will be chaired by John O’Hagan with Public Health England. Following the traditions of previous years, ILSC 2017 will feature presentations in three tracks: Laser Safety Scientific Sessions (LSSS), Medical Practical Applications Seminar (MPAS) and Technical Practical Applications Seminar (TPAS).

Karl Schulmeister, Chair for LSSS, assures that ILSC will continue to cover the subject matter that attendees have found most helpful over the years. The topics include laser product safety and bioeffects. The interactions between lasers and tissues as well as injury thresholds for the varying tissues of the eye and skin will be reviewed. Other sessions will focus on eyewear, outdoor lasers, high power lasers, materials processing and broadband incoherent radiation.

Certified Medical Laser Safety Officers (CMLSOs) Vangie Dennis, Patti Owens, Leslie Pollard, along with Kay Ball will lead the MPAS subtitled “Laser Safety: More than Smoke and Mirrors”.

“ILSC 2017 offers learning and networking opportunities to help healthcare professionals meet the challenges of laser technology,” said Ball. “Advancements and exciting new information will be highlighted, while experts will be able to share their knowledge and experiences.”

Owens includes “that day one would include pertinent information regarding the hazards of surgical smoke and plume.” “The latest research will be presented”, said Owens. “Analyzing the toxicity of surgical plume, the impact of chronic exposure to

“The latest research will be presented”, said Owens. “Analyzing the toxicity of surgical plume, the impact of chronic exposure to second hand smoke, recommended respiratory protection, new international initiatives and organizations, along with future legislation for management of this health hazard.”

“The second stimulating day will focus on management of collimated medical devices with exciting lectures addressing new applications of innovative laser technology, retinal and corneal injuries from exposure to lasers and Intense Pulsed Light, veterinary utilization of medical laser devices, Low Level Light therapy and PDT.  Also, the role of the laser safety officer and how to produce positive safety outcomes for both staff and patient will be explored.”

Not to be outdone by their counterparts, co-chairs Certified Laser Safety Officers (CLSOs) Eddie Ciprazo and Jamie King’s theme for the TPAS is “Back to the Basics – Laser Safety 101”.

With something at this event for everyone regardless of their experience level, King notes that both senior and novice Laser Safety Officers (LSOs) will leave with valuable knowledge because of the variety of material that will be covered.

“From basic optics to cutting edge technologies and everything in between,” said King. “It’s here.”

TPAS will provide a full toolbox of information for every LSO in attendance. Wednesday morning kicks off with “So you are the LSO, now what?” and closes Thursday with “Resources for the LSO, don’t reinvent the wheel”.  A first for the conference as well as TPAS, an open forum panel discussion with the FDA is sure to be of interest.

From LSOs and nurses, to safety product manufacturers and laser physicists, attendees will gain invaluable information from sessions and have the opportunity to network with others as a part of the laser safety experts community.

Registration for ILSC 2017 is open now. To learn more and register, please visit https://www.lia.org/conferences/ilsc.

About LIA

Laser Institute of America (LIA) is the professional society for laser applications and safety serving the industrial, educational, medical, research and government communities throughout the world since 1968. www.lia.org , 13501 Ingenuity Drive, Ste 128, Orlando, FL 32826, +1.407.380.1553