For Level 2 Laser Safety Officers and Supervisors

There are now two options for registration to gain the Level 2 Laser Safety qualification, see “Which laser safety course should I do?” if you are unsure which course to do. This option is suitable for:

• First attempt at qualification for those with experience in the field (e.g. previously completed the operator course), have working with lasers in traditional fields under well-established policy.

• First attempt at qualification for those with tertiary education in laser related discipline working/studying in university laboratory environment.

• Requalification or refresher for all who have previously completed our Level 2 Laser Safety Course or equivalent.

Course Aim

The aim of this Level 2 Laser Safety Course – One-Day Intensive/Refresher is to provide a qualitative level of understanding of the principles of laser safety practice to meet the needs of Australian/International standards for a laser safety supervisor (LSS) or Defence level 2 laser safety officer (LSO2). The course introduces the generation and the characteristics of electromagnetic radiation focussing on optical frequencies, emphasising the differences between conventional light sources and laser sources in relation to their hazard potential. The course looks at workplace safety legislation, and, in particular how it relates to laser use in the various regulatory jurisdictions, identifying how laser safety standards apply. Additionally, the course focusses on the application of specific laser safety standards in the workplace and the requirements for appropriate policies and procedures. The course will emphasise real world examples, introduce laser safety terminology, the roles of the laser safety personnel, an introduction to the new Australian Standards AS/NZS IEC 60825.1:2014; new AS/NZS IEC 60825.14:2022; and laser safety practice in the workplace.

The Level 2 Laser Safety Course – One-Day Intensive/Refresher course provides a non-mathematical treatment of lasers and laser hazards. This course is equivalent to the first day of our Five-Day Level 1 Laser Safety course and can be used as a prior learning exemption for the first day of that course.

Course Outline

Pre-course work. Because this is a one-day intensive/refresher version of the standard Two-Day Level 2 course, the  first day of that standard course is completed through pre-course work covering the day 1 topics 1-4 and topics 5-6 assumed knowledge or self-paced research with the remaining content included into the supplemented day 2 content. The day 1 topics are:

Introduction to lasers: Awareness of the basic principles of laser operation and the differences between conventional light sources and laser sources in relation to their hazard potential to the eye.

Operator laser safety in the workplace:  Awareness of laser hazard controls and workplace safety | Awareness of legislation and laser safety standards | Awareness of existence of laser safety officers and their role | Hierarchy and roles of laser safety personnel including likely interactions with operators | Practical examples of laser safety controls for indoor and outdoor scenarios.

Introduction to laser hazards: Awareness of the hazards posed by lasers | Awareness of laser hazards both beam and non-beam | Awareness of the laser classification system and the implication of these classifications.

Introduction to laser safety standards: awareness of AS/NZS IEC 60825.1:2014 & AS/NZS IEC 60825.14:2022 and their relevance | Expected controls in the workplace, based laser hazard classification | Introduction to laser safety terminology | Operator considerations in relation to laser protective eyewear.

Hazards and safety for specific applications: Awareness of different modern laser applications | Awareness of application specific laser hazards common and unique | Awareness specific application controls and procedures.

Discussions plus Q & A: to close out day 1, time is allowed for more detailed two way discussions of other specific examples and questions on the course content or other applications that may be relevant to participants.

Course topics:

Understanding Lasers: Principles of laser operation, why lasers are hazardous, what are the important parameters and why they are relevant.

Laser Safety in the Work Place: Overview of workplace safety legislation and risk management, how lasers fit in to various regulatory jurisdictions | The laser hazard classification scheme and different roles of key laser safety standards in meeting regulatory compliance | The practical application of controls and procedures in the laser workplace | The roles of the Laser Safety Officer and laser safety supervisors in a typical workplace | Practical examples of laser safety management in both indoor and outdoor applications.

Laser Safety Standards and Principles: A brief overview of the standards AS/NZS IEC 60825.1:2014 and AS/NZS IEC 60825.14:2022 | Discussion of laser hazards both beam and non-beam related including bio-effects | Approaches to management of laser hazards using the laser safety standards, default approach vs tailored approach | Detailed discussion on use and selection of laser protective eyewear, includes sample sets.

Some Typical Hazardous Situations: A brief qualitative discussion of relevant real-world scenarios or lasers. Discussion includes non-assessable quantitative values for context. 

Level 2 test: At the conclusion of the Laser Safety Supervisor Course a confirmatory test is provided for those participants and/or their sponsors to confirm proficiency in the non-mathematical treatment laser safety practice for awarding of the qualification. Thus, a certificate identifying successful completion of the course, if a passing mark is achieved, will be provided.

Course Material

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

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