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Volume 4, Issue 4

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November 2010

BLS News & Review

Volume 4, Number 4

In This Issue

- Executive Director's Message
- BLS Welcomes Jennifer Craft
- Welcome New CLSOs/CMLSOs
- CLSO/CMLSO Profiles
- Why Stay Certified as a CLSO?
- ILSC Registration Now Open!
- The Evaluator
- ASC Z136
- ASC Z136 Petition for Membership
- CM Points through Journal Reviews
- My Traveling ANSI

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- LIA
- OSHA
- ASC Z136

Board of Laser Safety
13501 Ingenuity Drive, # 128

Orlando, FL 32826
Ph: 407-380-1553
Ph: 800-34LASER

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Executive Director's
Message

It is time once again to focus our attention on certification maintenance (CM). As you know, the BLS requires continuing education activities to maintain one’s certification, in recognition of the need to stay aware of new technology and other advances in the field. A CLSO or CMLSO must undergo recertification every three years, at which time it is necessary to demonstrate completion of sufficient professional development activities to ensure continued competency.

The CM cycle begins on January 1 of the year following the year in which the individual passed the exam. The cycle ends on December 31 of the third year. A minimum of ten CM points must be obtained over the course of each 3-year cycle.

The following are the CM categories in brief:

  1. Laser safety experience
  2. Attendance and successful completion of laser safety specific education/training
  3. Publication of laser safety or application related articles
  4. Teaching laser safety (outside of your company/organization)
  5. Membership in a laser safety-related professional/technical organization or society
  6. Active participation in a laser safety standards or regulations committee (outside of your company/organization)
  7. Attendance at laser safety or applications professional conferences or meetings
  8. Presentations or poster papers at laser safety professional conferences or meetings
  9. Writing exam questions (accepted by BLS Review Board)
  10. Related professional certifications; review of approved laser-related journal articles

Finally, a CLSO or CMLSO may retake the applicable exam if unable to achieve the ten CM points and wishes to maintain active certification status; however, this option does include the following stipulations:

  1. The exam must be taken and passed prior to the end of the 3-year cycle,
  2. Payment for the exam is due prior to retaking the exam, and
  3. The individual has not participated on a BLS Review Board or proctored an exam during the 3-year cycle.

To view the CM categories in detail or to download a CM worksheet, please go to http://www.lasersafety.org/cert-maintenance.php. If you have any questions regarding activities for certification maintenance, please contact the BLS at 407.380.1553, or email me at bsams@lasersafety.org or Jennifer Craft at jcraft@lasersafety.org.

Barbara Sams
Executive Director


If you care at all, you'll get some results. If you care enough, you'll get incredible results” –Jim Rohn

In September I was offered the privilege of coming to work for the BLS. I knew that this opportunity was one that came with many responsibilities and fierce determination. My years of experience are few; however, I believe that my ambition for greater things more than compensates for the difference.

I am a senior at the University of Central Florida, majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies with a specific minor in Public Administration. My goals are to become an integral part of society, not only as a student but as a professional. I am confident that my life’s journey will continue to take me to new and exciting places considering my encounters thus far.

As I gain more experience with the BLS, my intent is to focus upon the growth of the organization and what I can contribute to making it a powerful factor in the laser community.

I thank you all who have welcomed me with open arms; and numerous questions—which I may or may not have known how to answer. I look forward to the future with an open mind and have my sights set on excellence.

-Jennifer Craft, BLS Certification Coordinator


Welcome New CLSOs and CMLSOs

CLSOs
Michael Benson Rush University Medical Center
Robert DeWayne Holcomb UT @ Austin
Daniel Raible NASA Glenn Research Center
CMLSOs
Sharon Ackerson
Dept of Veterans Affairs
Robert Bolek Stamford Hospital
Kathleen Bridges Presbyterian Health Services
George Carty Progressive Medical Imaging
Michael Colvard University of Illinois at Chicago
Timothy Dupuis Wentworth-Douglass Hospital
Ben Edwards Duke University
Elizabeth Gonzalez LLUMC
Kimberley Guarino Presbyterian Healthcare
Karl Gunnerson VA EKHCS
Michelle Jaskunas Rose Medical Center
Kathleen King-Trujillo Citrus Valley Health Partners
Michael McKay Southeastern Ohio Regional Medical
Keri McKenney West Valley Medical Center
Dale Morrison NextMed
Aaron Nevatt Kaiser Foundation Hospitals
Vickie New Presbyterian Health Services
J.B. O’Daniel
Patrick Patterson NASA-MSFC/Wyle
John Reinhart Adventist Health
Cheryl Scruton Dept of Veterans Affairs
Jillian Tharpe Wyoming Medical Center
Erica Willis Goldsboro Skin Center
Dean Wolfer Morris Hospital

Go to the BLS website to view complete listings of CLSOs and CMLSOs.


Profile of CLSO/CMLSO


Why Stay Certified as a CLSO?

Contributed by Thomas J. Lieb, CLSO

We often think about the tangible and sometimes intangible benefits of attaining certification in a professional field. Benefits that come with being certified: increased opportunities for employment, possibilities for advancement, recognition by one’s peers, and so forth.

Recent developments in the manufacturing industry are adding even more tangible impact to that list. Currently in North America, major automotive companies and their tier 1 suppliers are writing acceptance procedures into their purchase orders for laser processing machines. Among the requirements on the equipment is certification to 21 CFR, including Class I enclosure and provisions for “walk-in workstation” control measures—where applicable. The equipment supplier must provide the Accession Number and other documentation regarding the certification.

The kicker?  The supplier must also document the “qualifications” of the person who provided the equipment assessment.

The preferred answer? A CLSO.

So integrators of laser processing equipment, large and small, will now be hiring, creating or contracting CLSOs for assessment of their equipment to be accepted in automotive plants.

Thought  you should know


BLS is a proud supporter and cooperating society of the 2011 International Laser Safety Conference (ILSC®).

So what is the International Laser Safety Conference? And what does being a supporter and cooperating society mean to you?

The Conference
The International Laser Safety Conference (ILSC) is a four-day conference that covers all aspects of laser safety. It has grown to include the Practical Applications Seminars, which complement the original scientific sessions and are intended for the practicing LSO and MLSO.

From Ben Rockwell, ILSC General Chair,
“The conference has evolved to include two tracks which significantly benefit the laser safety community.  The first track is the Laser Safety Scientific Sessions (LSSS).  These are technical sessions with presentations by recognized world-wide experts in a variety of fields relevant to the cutting-edge in laser safety.  This is the traditional conference content as organized in previous ILSC conferences.  The second track is the Practical Applications Seminars (PAS), now with both technical laser safety and medical laser safety components.  These PAS sessions have grown into a favorite of the working laser safety officer, with relevant discussions about the day-to-day challenges they face.”

The Events
ILSC is four days of networking opportunities, or if you wish to start early, five. On Sunday afternoon, the conference will kick off with a Welcome Reception where you can catch up with friends and colleagues. On Monday, the Awards Luncheon will feature the George M. Wilkening Award Presentation and the R. James Rockwell Educational Achievement Award.

On Monday evening (March 14), the BLS will host its Appreciation Reception for all CLSOs and CMLSOs in attendance. This event is by invitation only; however, invitations are available to those interested in becoming certified. Please contact Jennifer Craft or Barbara Sams for your invitation!

Tuesday evening, ILSC sponsors and attendees meet to discuss products, ideas, opportunities and solutions during the Sponsor Reception. Wednesday’s Hot Topic Luncheon and Panel Discussion spotlights higher power general use lasers now available to consumers at lower costs.

The Meetings
ANSI Accredited Standards Committee (ASC) Z136 convenes its annual meeting in conjunction with ILSC. In accordance with ASC Z136 Procedures, this meeting is open to all members and others having a direct and material interest in the activities of the committee. In addition, various Z136 subcommittees and IEC Technical Committee (TC) 76 working groups will hold ancillary meetings during the week.

Other Offerings
The Laser Institute of America will hold its Medical Laser Safety Officer Course (MLSO) the weekend preceding the conference. The course is designed to give operating room personnel a basic foundation in laser biophysics, tissue interaction and laser safety. Laser safety protocols will be addressed according to the ANSI Z136.3 Safe Use of Lasers in Health Care Facilities standard, AORN recommended practices, and ASLMS practices.

A paper and pencil opportunity to take either the CLSO or CMLSO exam will be offered on Sunday afternoon. If you have been considering sitting for an exam, please contact Jennifer Craft at the BLS for prerequisite information.

Being a Cooperating Society
Help us show our support to ILSC by attending the conference. After all, ILSC encompasses all things that help you “stay aware of new technology and other advances in the field” and in the course of doing so, you earn valuable CM points. As a Cooperating Society, all CLSOs and CMLSOs will receive the discounted LIA member conference registration fee.

ILSC REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!

Connect with ILSC Attendees through the ILSC LinkedIn Group


The Evaluator

New from the leaders in laser safety training, Laser Institute of America (LIA), the Evaluator utilizes an innovative delivery system to provide a new and improved user experience for laser safety officers of all skill levels. The exclusive Web-based Laser Safety Hazard Analysis System is designed to provide enhanced accessibility, easier navigation and more accurate results.

With three monthly subscription packages and pricing levels to choose from: Advanced, Intermediate, or Basic, your organization has the flexibility to pay for only the features it needs.

This innovative System provides a reliable way to easily double-check laser safety calculations. It is based on the ANSI Z136.1 American National Standard for Safe Use of Lasers and will perform repeated calculations of maximum permissible exposure (MPE), optical density (OD), nominal ocular hazard distance (NOHD), nominal hazard zone (NHZ), and laser hazard classification.

For more information, visit www.lia.org.


ASC Z136

The annual meeting of ASC Z136 will be held in conjunction with the International Laser Safety Conference (ILSC®) at the Hilton Doubletree Hotel in San Jose, California on Sunday, March 13, 2011. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 9:00am local time.

Hotel Accommodations – Committee members are asked to make their reservations prior to February 3 to ensure room availability and to receive the conference room rate of $156 per night. A personal online group page for making reservations has been created by the hotel; please follow this link to register:

http://doubletree.hilton.com/en/dt/groups/personalized/JOSE-DT-LIA-20110311/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG

Discounted overnight self parking will be $15 per car per night.

Ancillary Meetings – Space is available Monday through Thursday for subcommittee or working group meetings on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you are interested in scheduling or attending an ancillary meeting, please contact Barbara Sams for further information.

ASC Z136 meetings are open to the public. If you have any questions regarding the annual meeting, would like a meeting agenda, and/or plan to attend as an observer, please email Barbara at bsams@lia.org or call 407-380-1553.


 ASC Z136 Petition for Membership
Have you ever read a standard and thought, “What were they thinking?”
Do you want to know how you can voice your opinion and influence change?
Are you new to the laser safety community and want to know how to participate in the development of the very guidelines you are responsible to enforce?

Join the Accredited Standards Committee (ASC) Z136 for the Safe Use of Lasers!

There are two ways in which you can participate in the development and revision processes of the Z136 laser safety standards: membership in one (or more) standards or technical subcommittees and/or membership on the ASC Z136 consensus body.

Membership on the consensus body, referred to as the “Committee”, consists of organizations, companies, government agencies and individuals and is open to anyone with a direct and material interest in its activities. To join the Committee, request membership by contacting the Secretariat (LIA); let us know your qualifications and willingness to participate actively.

The vast majority of members on the Committee belong to one or more of the standards and/or technical subcommittees. It is here at the subcommittee level that primary development, and later maintenance of the standards actually takes place. Submit requests for subcommittee membership directly through the Z136 website, www.z136.org. Please apply by completing the application form and checking the subcommittees in which you have an interest.

Contact Barbara Sams at the LIA, 407-380-1553, for more information. Remember, active membership in laser safety standards or regulations committees external of your organization earns 1 CM point per year.


Earning CM Points through Journal Reviews

Throughout the year, we have been listing article titles and access information for appropriate journal articles that can be reviewed for CM points.

New this issue:

2010 Recap

  • Grocela JA, Dretler SP. Intracorporeal lithotripsy: Instrumentation and development. Urol Clin North Am 1997, 24:1:13-23
  • Laser Discectomy Author: Jasvinder Chawla, MBBS, MD, MBA, Associate Professor of Neurology, Director of Neurology Residency Training Program, Director of Clinical Neurophysiology Laboratory, Assistant Director of Neurology Clerkship Program, Department of Neurology, Loyola University Medical Center, Updated: May 17, 2009
  • Laser Debulking in Malignant Upper Airway Obstruction Paleri V, Stafford FW, Sammut MS. Head Neck, Vol. 27, 296 - 301, 2005
  • Journal of Laser Applications, all Volumes, all Issues,
    www.scitation.org/jla
    Any/all articles from this journal will be accepted.
  • PubMed Central (PMC) is a free digital archive of biomedical and life science journals, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/
    Search for “laser”, Search all articles. Any/all FULL TEXT articles will be accepted.

The Journal Article Verification Worksheet may be downloaded from the BLS website.


My Traveling ANSI

Myung Chul Jo, CLSO reviews the Z136.1 standard with Dr. Sung Jun Song of JeJu National University in South Korea