Class 2 laser safety training programs

Abstract

The ANSI (American National Standards Institute) Z136.1 Standard for the Safe Use of Lasers provides guidance for the education and training of personnel operating, maintaining and servicing lasers. Section 4.4.3 of Z136.1 states: “Education and training shall be provided for operators, maintenance or service personnel for Class 3a, Class 3b or Class 4 lasers or laser systems. Education and training should be provided for operators, maintenance or service personnel for Class 2 lasers or laser systems.” Section 5.2 states: “Safety training program(s) shall be provided to the users of Class 3a, Class 3b and Class 4 lasers and laser systems, and should be provided to the users of Class 2 lasers and laser systems.” The question often then arises as to whether training should be provided for Class 2 users. The question was asked as one of a series of work group problems at a week-long course on Advanced Industrial Laser Safety Officer Training (sponsored by Laser Institute of America). It had been anticipated that not more than one of the five groups would report that they supported Class 2 training. The results were a unanimous decision by all groups that Class 2 training was desirable, was often necessary, and that none of them had time to do it.The ANSI (American National Standards Institute) Z136.1 Standard for the Safe Use of Lasers provides guidance for the education and training of personnel operating, maintaining and servicing lasers. Section 4.4.3 of Z136.1 states: “Education and training shall be provided for operators, maintenance or service personnel for Class 3a, Class 3b or Class 4 lasers or laser systems. Education and training should be provided for operators, maintenance or service personnel for Class 2 lasers or laser systems.” Section 5.2 states: “Safety training program(s) shall be provided to the users of Class 3a, Class 3b and Class 4 lasers and laser systems, and should be provided to the users of Class 2 lasers and laser systems.” The question often then arises as to whether training should be provided for Class 2 users. The question was asked as one of a series of work group problems at a week-long course on Advanced Industrial Laser Safety Officer Training (sponsored by Laser Institute of America). It had been anticipated ...