Tag Archives: Laser Safety

Laser Safety Focus – The Value of Becoming a Certified Laser Safety Officer

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As we prepare to celebrate National Safety Month in June, we want to highlight the importance of laser safety with a series of laser safety focused blogs starting this month. One of LIA’s missions includes fostering laser safety worldwide. We do so by offering online, classroom & in-house laser safety courses. To learn more, click here.

Are you looking for ways to show your commitment to a higher standard of laser safety?

Do you want to prove to your current or future employer that you possess the knowledge to lead a laser safety program?

 

If this sounds like you, read on to find out more about the Certified Laser Safety Officer (CLSO) exam offered by the Board of Laser Safety (BLS).

“For professionals working around lasers, becoming certified by the Board of Laser Safety (BLS) is one of the highest credentials a laser safety officer (LSO) can earn,” said Laser Focus World Magazine.

LIA collaborates with BLS to enhance laser safety professionals’ knowledge and commitment to laser safety. The BLS is a non-profit, whose mission is to provide a means for improvement in the practice of laser safety by providing opportunities for the education, assessment, and recognition of laser safety professionals.

LIA’s Laser Safety Officer with Hazard Analysis (LSO with HA) training satisfies one of four CLSO exam requirements. A 3-hour pen and paper CLSO exam is offered immediately after the conclusion of most LSO with HA training courses. The CLSO exam is also available as a computer-based exam, which is offered at testing locations throughout the U.S. and Canada.

With the ever-growing demand for laser safety professionals and the competitive nature of roles within this field, determining how you will stand out among candidates in your career is imperative. LSO certification can be a pivotal resource for those looking to better complete the tasks in their current role or gain security in their current position and move into a position of more responsibility.

Certification is designed for those who are working in a role as a Laser Safety Officer (LSO) or a position supporting an LSO. Whether you work in a military, research, technical, or industrial application of laser use, this certification will show that you are equipped with the knowledge and ability to manage a laser safety program.

Once certified, you must attain 10 certification maintenance (CM) points over each 3-year certification cycle in order to renew your certification. LIA offers many opportunities for CM points. You can gain these points by attending our International Laser Safety Conference (ILSC), taking select LIA courses or volunteering for various laser safety publication projects.

 

If you are interested in becoming certified, visit www.lasersafety.org or call 407-985-3810.

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.

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.

How LIA Corporate Members Are Innovating the Future of Manufacturing

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The Laser Institute of America aims to foster the future of laser applications. Many of our corporate members uphold similar ideals and they are working hard to advance the future of laser applications in manufacturing.

From the development of new life-saving products to building the future of transportation and researching the next steps in the additive manufacturing revolution, here’s what some of our members have been up to in the last year:

Buffalo Filter Launches Plume Pen Pro

With a 25-year legacy as a recognized surgical safety brand, Buffalo Filter recently launched the new Plume Pen Pro. The device is a surgical smoke evacuation pencil that offers surgeons the “flexibility and option of longer surgical smoke capture ports making the exchange of blades easy and plume capture tailored to plum length.”

The Plume Pen Pro, along with other products by Buffalo Filter, work to reduce surgical smoke inhalation and exposure. This keeps operating rooms safer with user-friendly solutions.

Image: Buffalo Filter

 

II-VI HIGHYAG’s RLSK Laser Featured in Industrial Laser Solutions for Manufacturing

A recent issue of Industrial Laser Solutions for Manufacturing featured a cover article on laser welding for the Ford Mustang, spotlighting II-VI HIGHYAG’s RLSK remote laser welding head. In developing the new Mustang, Ford needed a large-scale, single-sided joining method that did not possess the potential structural weakness of traditional spot welding. Ford then turned to remote laser welding, which not only solved the structural weakness issue – it created a measurable increase in productivity at the production plant.

Starting in 2015, the RLSK remote laser welding head was put into full use by Ford. Four were installed at the Detroit plant, joined by 24 additional structural remote laser heads for the vehicle’s production. Implementing these remote laser heads lead to a decrease in weld time, fewer station cycles, fewer welding robots, and an increase in overall production space.

Image: II-VI HIGHYAG

LPW Technology, Inc. CEO and Founder Discusses 3D Printing Opportunities in Aerospace

Machine Design Magazine recently published a piece on the use of 3D printing for aerospace applications. The article quoted various industry leaders and experts, including LPW Technology Founder and CEO Dr. Phil Carroll. Dr. Carroll addresses the increasing demand versus the quality control of metal powders used in 3D printing. In the early days of powder metal liturgy, the materials were essentially grounded up scrap metal, leading to a high chance of contamination. Contamination of a pure metal powder could lead to a compromised part down the line, because the offending particles may degrade over time.

To combat this, greater inspection and handling of metal particles is required. Working with Lloyd’s Register and TWI, LPW will be certifying powders for a joint effort to increase the adoption of additive manufacturing.

Image: LPW Technology

RPM Innovations, Inc. Working With Okuma America Corp. on Alternative to Combination Additive/Subtractive Manufacturing Processes

 Despite the overwhelming push for additive manufacturing processes across industries, there are still many cases in which traditional subtractive processes are the most effective solution. However, it does not always have to be a case of choosing one over the other, or even combining them.

With the assistance of their laser deposition machines, RPM Innovations and Okuma America are developing options for machines that allow individual operations to occur, by keeping processes in separate sections that link together. Rather than choosing one manufacturing method, or forcing them to overlap, separating the processes allows for differences in processing time, automation in loading and reloading, as well as the addition of other processes in the workflow.

Image: MMS Online

Spectra-Physics Introduces Icefyre

Earlier this year, Spectra-Physics debuted IcefyreTM, “a compact, high power industrial picosecond hybrid fiber laser.” The IceFyre is versatile in its process optimization and repetition rates, as well as pulse-on-demand triggering. It combines the power supply and laser head into a single, compact unit.

In the official news release, Spectra-Physics states that Icefyre is designed for precise manufacturing of sapphire, glass, ceramic, metals, plastics, and other materials. The Icefyre made its debut at the 2017 SPIE Photonics West.

Image: Spectra Physics

We are committed to sharing the latest news about our esteemed and innovative Corporate Members. To learn more about becoming a Laser Institute of America Corporate or Individual Member, click here.

 The Laser Institute of America (LIA) is the international society for laser applications and safety. Our mission is to foster lasers, laser applications, and laser safety worldwide. Read about LIA or contact us for more information.

How Does Industrial Laser Safety Impact 2017 Manufacturing?

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As manufacturing practices continue to change, how will companies ensure the safety of their employees?

Manufacturing is undergoing a revolutionary phase. That is no secret, nor surprise.

Image: Illinois Applied Research Institute

The shift from traditional manufacturing practices into additive processes is creating new challenges and opportunities across a multitude of industries. It is becoming increasingly common for companies to blur the lines of what services, products, or purpose they provide. Sectors in which manufacturing was outsourced or contracted, such as the medical industry, are now finding new opportunities in additive manufacturing.

More and more companies are going into research and development, or on-site production, reshaping the way prototypes and finished products are created.

However, laser-manufacturing innovation poses an unprecedented challenge. You cannot put an employee in front of a powder bed system, wish them luck, and be on your way. Additive manufacturing machinery, often suited with a high-powered laser, requires specific education to ensure the safety of the operator and other employees.

In some cases, the standards, certifications, and proper operation methods are just now being released, especially when it comes to additive manufacturing. However, what about when it comes to the basics of safely operating and working near lasers?

Laser Safety for the Manufacturing Workplace

Working alongside Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), ANSI Z136 standards outline proper laser safety protocol for the workplace. Laser education courses, such as those offered by LIA, can prepare employees for a laser-ready workplace by including hazard analysis calculations such as maximum permissible exposure (MPE), optical density (OD), and nominal hazard zone (NHZ).

For those in a supervising role, the Laser Safety Officer Course a non-mathematical look at the administrative duties regarding laser safety. LSO courses are designed for all levels of experience and fit the needs of safety professionals, engineers, laser operators, and other related experts.

 

LIA Offers a Variety of Laser Training Options.

 

Knowing how to operate laser-based equipment is not enough. Industrial Laser Safety Courses expand upon the knowledge presented within laser processes and addresses the hazards associated in detail, as well as methods to reduce hazardous environments in the workplace.

OSHA and other federal standards are also discussed in the courses, bringing to light the regulatory expectations of a laser utilization in the workplace.

Your Education Options

As the manufacturing world becomes increasingly globalized, it may not always be possible for employees to travel to receive their laser safety education. In this instance, online or on-site laser training options may be worth exploring, allowing employees to receive their laser safety education from the comfort of their home or office.

Need to train an entire crew? On-site education may be your best bet, as it allows the entire staff to be trained at once, with minimal schedule disruptions.

The Laser Institute of America is proud to help serve the industrial communities by offering flexible and convenient learning options in the classroom, online, or even on-site. Receive your laser safety training and education from the leading laser safety source, Laser Institute of America, publisher of the ANSI series of laser safety standards.

For more information on how LIA can help your laser safety program with any of the courses mentioned above, please visit LIA’s Education Page.

The Laser Institute of America (LIA) is the international society for laser applications and safety. Our mission is to foster lasers, laser applications, and laser safety worldwide.Read about LIA or contact us for more information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Laser Institute of America’s 2017 International Laser Safety Conference (ILSC®) Gathers 200 Safety Professionals From Around the World

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The biennial conference’s presentations and discussions were aimed at advancing laser safety & ranged from laser generated air pollution to body sculpting & liposuction

ORLANDO, FL – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Laser Institute of America (LIA)’s International Laser Safety Conference (ILSC®) was held March 20-23, 2017 at the Sheraton Atlanta Airport in Atlanta, Georgia. With over 200 laser safety professionals from around the world assembled, medical and industrial discussions included a large range of topics from non-ionizing radiation sources to laser generated air contaminants.

In arguing the need for uniform non-ionizing radiation safety standards, speaker Jacques Abramowicz noted, “…ultrasounds of babies can be performed by non-qualified/non-certified individuals, as can body sculpting and liposuction.”

Jeffrey Luttrull, M.D. completed the plenary session, declaring, “…the retina does not have to be damaged to treat it. Once you take retinal damage away, it is like pushing the reset button.”

Major American and European research laboratories provided results of studies on the bioeffects of both ultra short pulse lasers and varying wavelengths to the skin and eyes. As technologies advance and more lasers become available for research, the maximum permissible exposure (MPE) limits will evolve for years to come.

In a clear indication that the case is not closed on the Class 3R laser, there were several views presented from the history of the classification. Presentations included proposed changes of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations related to laser pointers and the dangers they may present.

The Medical Practical Applications Seminar (MPAS) concentrated on the handling of smoke and plumes. There were also presentations on the use of lasers to help burn victims and for the treatment of acute and chronic pains. Laser use in veterinary medicine was also a hot topic. Notably, representatives from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) were present at ILSC to answer questions in a panel discussion for the first time.

Because of the recent influx of first-time participants, the Technical Practical Applications Seminar (TPAS) refocused on the basics of laser safety. Co-chairs, Eddie Ciprazo and Jamie King, bookended the session with So you are the LSO – Now What? and Resources for the LSO. At the end of the seminar, attendees received the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Laser Lessons Learned Newsletter booklet, which is loaded with laser safety information.

In addition, the ILSC 2017 program featured a sponsor reception, display area, numerous networking opportunities, and a laser safety awards luncheon, which highlighted and recognized R. James Rockwell Jr. Award winner John O’Hagan and George M. Wilkening Award winner Wesley J. Marshall.

“In addition to our outstanding educational program at each biennial ILSC, we are pleased to recognize outstanding international laser safety leaders and their companies,” said LIA Marketing Director Jim Naugle.

For more information about ILSC 2017 and LIA’s commitment to laser safety, please visit: https://www.lia.org/conferences/ilsc.

About Laser Institute of America

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 MPAS Attendees

ILSC 2017 General Chair John O’Hagan with MPAS Chairs

ILSC 2017 General Chair John O’Hagan with TPAS Seminar Co-Chairs Eddie Ciprazo and Jamie King.