Course Aim

The aim of this course is to provide an abbreviated option to refresh competency at an intermediate quantitative level of understanding of the principles of laser safety practice for requalification at level 1 Laser Safety meeting the needs of Australian/International standards for laser safety officer or Defence level 1 laser safety officer (LSO1). Prior to day 1 participants are required to complete self-paced revision to achieve competency at Level 2 Laser Safety, including the requalification assessment, as well as revision of the supporting background material needed for the quantitative analysis covered in this course. Over the two days this refreshed knowledge is then applied to the compressed versions of the presentations, worked examples, and tutorial problems covered in the Five-Day version of the course to refresh the comprehensive quantitative coverage laser safety practice and use of laser safety standards. Following the course, participants are invited to sit an upcoming Level 1 Laser Safety exam to regain the qualification.

There are now three options for registration to gain or regain the Level 1 Laser Safety qualification, see “Which laser safety course should I do?” if you are unsure which course to do. This option is suitable for:

• Requalification of those more familiar but wanting some refresher training or confirmation of methodology changes before attempting an exam.

Course Outline

Pre-course: 

• Self-paced coverage/revision of the Level 2 Laser Safety Course material.

• The Level 2 Laser Safety Course test will be made available in Moodle and must be completed prior to Day 1 of the course, you will have two attempts.

• Failure to complete the Level 2 qualification may result in the requirement to attend the Level 2 One-Day Intensive/Refresher course.

Days 1-2: Level 1 Laser Safety Course – Two-Day Refresher: Participants will be expected to have revised and be competent in the background quantitative material (laser properties and hazard analysis principles and practice, see Level 1 Laser Safety Course – Five-day outline) before attending this course as time does not permit revision of this material.

MPE Calculations: calculation of maximum permissible exposure (MPE) levels for continuous wave (CW) and pulsed lasers.

Hazard distances calculations: Using MPEs for quantitative hazard evaluation, including various permutations of Nominal Ocular/Skin Hazard Distances (NOHD & NSHD) and evaluation of specular reflection hazard distance for CW and pulsed lasers | Extended NOHD/NSHD for telescopic optics | Reduced NOHD/NSHD with filters or atmospheric attenuation.

Other hazard calculations and safety evaluations: specification of the required optical density (OD) for laser protective eyewear or guarding | Extended source discussion and diffuse reflection hazard calculations | Establishing the laser hazard area and plotting of a laser hazard area template.

Classification: Revision of classification principles and rules stated in the product safety standard | Evaluation of the Accessible Emission Limit (AEL) for CW and pulsed lasers | AS/NZS IEC 60825 rules for hazard classification assignment and establishing calculated/measured accessible emission levels | Hazard classification assignment for CW and pulses lasers of single and multiple wavelengths.

Self-paced work: Material will be provided on Moodle for additional practice between the close of the course and the exam for participants to practice on.

Nominated day after the course.

Separate Level 1 examination: At the close of the course participants will attend the next open book examination that is provided to confirm their proficiency in the material covered. Thus, a certificate indicating, if a passing mark is achieved, successful completion of the course will be provided. Only one exam Level 1 exam attempt is included.

Course Material

The following resources will be provided to attendees of this course:

1. Course notes will be provided (printed and online).