Volume 6 - Issue 3

With the coming of autumn and returning to school just around the corner (I hear you parents out there cheering!), the end of the calendar year will be here before we know it. The following list is for those of you with certification maintenance cycles ending this December, or budgets to forecast, or who are just curious what is on the horizon.

September 11-13, join us at the 8th annual DOE LSO Workshop. This year the workshop will be held at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. Intended for individuals with laser safety responsibility and interest in a research or academic setting, it features presentations on current laser applications and associated laser safety issues and solutions. Once again, the BLS has been afforded the opportunity to offer the CLSO/CMLSO exams immediately following the workshop.

September 14, SSC-8 Stakeholders Meeting, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Bldg 15, Room 253. RSVP to Ken Barat to arrange gate pass. This meeting is intended to be a discussion of views on the finished Z136.8 standard and suggestions for promotion of the standard.

September 19-20, Rockwell Laser Industries is hosting two days of subcommittee meetings at its facility in Cincinnati, OH. TSC-4 will be meeting on Wednesday, Sept 19. An agenda has been circulated to members and is available by contacting Bill Ertle. SSC-1 members will be meeting on Thursday, Sept 20, to address the comments generated during CDV balloting recently concluded on the Z136.1 document. RSVP to Ben Rockwell. A room block has been secured at the Crowne Plaza Cincinnati Blue Ash; mention RLI to receive the special rate of $81.

September 23-27, ICALEO®, Anaheim Marriott Hotel^® Resort, Anaheim, CA. The International Congress on Applications of Lasers & Electro-Optics (ICALEO^®) is the conference where researchers and end-users meet to review the state-of-the-art in laser materials processing, laser microprocessing and nanomanufacturing. The LIA annual meeting and awards luncheon will be held on Wednesday, Sept 26, where the 2012 Arthur L. Schawlow Award will be presented to Isamu Miyamoto. Earn BLS CM points by attending!

October 23-24, LIA's Lasers in Manufacturing Event (LME™), Schaumburg, IL. For the second consecutive year, LIA will be providing a one-stop event for companies interested in integrating laser technology into their production. Attendees will learn about automation equipment, laser choices, beam delivery, safety considerations, and applications development, as well as meet exhibitors that supply these products and services.

March 17, 2013, ASC Z136 Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL. Observers welcome! If you are interested in participating on the committee or just wonder how the standards development process works, this meeting will give you the opportunity to learn firsthand just what it takes. RSVP to Barbara Sams to ensure seating availability.

March 18-21, 2013, ILSC^®, Orlando, FL. The International Laser Safety Conference (ILSC®) covers all aspects of laser safety practice and hazard control. Scientific sessions will address developments in regulatory, mandatory and voluntary safety standards. The Practical Applications Seminars (Medical on Mon-Tues, Technical (i.e., non-medical) on Wed-Thurs) complement the scientific sessions by exploring everyday scenarios that the LSO and MLSO may encounter. Earn BLS CM points by attending!

Won't you join me at one or more of these events? I'd love to see you there.

Barbara Sams
Executive Director

Featured CMLSO, Erin DeVita

I am Erin C. DeVita, B.S. Ed, CST, CMLSO, CCRC
I worked in a busy dermatology practice for almost 10 years as a Laser Provider and Director of Clinical Research. There, I developed and oversaw the laser safety program. When I left my position a few years ago to return to school and pursue a new direction, I allowed my certification to expire under the mindset that I no longer needed it, as I was no longer a practicing medical laser safety officer. This was a huge mistake! (more.)

Featured CLSO, Tod Richards

My background is in Nuclear Mechanical Operation, Submarines, I was in the U.S. Navy from 82–88. I have a B.S. in Natural Resources Management & Engineering from the University of Connecticut –92, and a M.P.H. degree from The University of Connecticut –05; I am a Husband of 24 years to my wife Cathy, and father of our two teen-aged daughters, Samantha and Tessa. (Wish I could make up an educational title acronym for all that!). (more.)

Board of Laser Safety Credits for Certification Maintenance Points – Fred Seeber
OP-TEC (The National Center for Optics and Photonics Education) is funded by the National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education (ATE Center) with the mission of promoting photonics education by assisting colleges around the country in developing and implementing educational programs that support the expansion of this critical technology. By providing information materials and networking opportunities, colleges and universities can take steps in implementing photonics programs that give their students the opportunity to work in this rapidly expanding, high-demand, high-paying field. (more.)

Hands-On Laser Training Opportunity – Alice Sobczak
Need some hands on laser training or a good review of laser and optics principles?

I recently completed some on-line class work and attended a capstone laser lab experience, Fundamentals of Light and Lasers presented by OP-TEC, the National Center for Optics and Photonics Education and the National Science Foundation. The goal of this class is to address the growing need for trained laser technicians by providing training to educators. This course is designed for college faculty who are interested in developing a photonics program. (more.)

Welcome New CLSOs!

Welcome New CMLSOs!

ASC Z136 News

In the last issue of the BLS News & Review, I told you about the standards recently approved and impending releases. Now let's talk about standards starting the revision process. (more.)

Save the Dates!

If your company/organization is planning an event and would like to be listed above, as well as apply for BLS Certification Maintenance points, please contact us at bls@lasersafety.org. Thank you.

Follow Us on LinkedIn and Twitter!