Course Aim

The aim of the Level 3 Operator Laser Safety (Industrial) – 1-Day course 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 operator laser safety officer for industrial applications (e.g. laser welders, laser cleaners, laser cutters and engravers). The course provides a non-mathematical treatment of lasers and laser hazards limited to industrial applications at an operator level. It introduces the basics of laser radiation generation, emphasising the differences between conventional light sources and laser sources in order to provide a basic understanding of the unique hazard potential. The course looks at workplace safety legislation, and how it relates to laser use in the various regulatory jurisdictions, identifying how laser safety standards fit in this context. Additionally, the course gives an appreciation of need for specific laser safety controls, policies and procedures in the industrial workplace. Through real world examples the course introduces basic laser safety terminology, the roles of the laser safety personnel, and a brief introduction to the applicable Australian Laser Safety Standards and laser safety practice in the workplace.

The industrial operator laser safety course provides a non-mathematical treatment of lasers and laser hazards. It is equivalent to the first day of our stand-alone two-day industrial level 2 laser safety office course. Both courses tailored for the industrial environment, so are not intended to be transportable to non-industrial fields.  

Course Outline

This course provides operators with the laser safety knowledge required to work with hazardous lasers and the foundations that can be built on if LSS/LSO qualification is required later. 

Day 1 

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 and skin | Awareness of laser safety terminology and laser classes.

Operator laser safety in the workplace:  Awareness of laser hazard controls and workplace safety | Awareness of legislation including how lasers fit in to various regulatory jurisdictions, plus the role of AS 2397:2015 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 | The practical application of controls and procedures in the industrial laser workplace.

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 industrial workplace | Operator considerations in relation to laser protective eyewear.

Hazards and safety for specific applications (optional): Awareness of different modern industrial 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.

Tutorial: At the end of each section there is an instructor lead tutorial. At the end of the day further online tutorials are provided for the participants to consolidate the material and to help prepare for the assessment.

Operator LSC test: At the conclusion of the day 1 of the course a confirmatory test is provided for those participants and/or their sponsors to confirm the industrial operator laser safety level competence 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. A copy of the PowerPoint presentations used for the course.