Volume 8 - Issue 3

Message from the Director

I believe the best part of this job has to be the people I have met along the way, and the friendships that have developed. As much as it was a disappointment that I could
not attend the 10th Annual DOE LSO Workshop hosted by Lawrence Livermore National Lab, I was delighted to hear that the workshop was a huge success.



Knowing that we need to continuously promote our certification program and the value in being certified, I asked Workshop Chair, CLSO Jamie King for suggestions of what we could do.
The Planning Committee - nearly all being CLSOs - came up with the idea of a talk on tools for the LSO, which would include different resources accessible to the LSO, one tool being the benefits of
certification.



Fast-forward to just a few weeks before the workshop I confirm, unfortunately, that I cannot make it to the workshop. Kudos to CLSO Barb O'Kane, who agreed to give the presentation
for the BLS. How fortunate we are that when we cannot attend, our collaborations will be presented on our behalf.



Also stepping up to the plate for the BLS was CMLSO Veronica Villalon. Taking the initiative, Veronica approached me and offered to proctor our exam, long before we had candidates
registered to take it. Given the afternoon before the workshop commenced, she scheduled her arrival early to ensure the exam would be appropriately supervised.



My point is this, being certified, being a part of the BLS, is like family. It goes further than great networking – it is the ability to call on one another whether you have a need or are facing a
problem you have not encountered before – there will be someone out there who will offer an ear to listen, a shoulder to lean on, advice to consider, a possible solution, or a warning of what not to
do. Put it in your LSO Toolbox. Keep it in your LSO Toolbox.



Barbara Sams

Executive Director

Board of Laser Safety

Featured CLSO, Tracy Tipping

To some extent being certified has made it easier to get funding approved to attend conferences and training that provide CM points. Management sees it as beneficial to maintain the certification.
And while the CLSO is not officially recognized by our state regulatory agency, it seems that in some cases, interactions with regulators went more smoothly with a CLSO involved at the regulated
site. (more...)

Featured CMLSO, Jean-Yves Latreille

It was quite clear to me that when I heard of the certification program in 2003, I wanted to become certified and I did in 2004. Some advantages and benefits of being certified include: It proves
your committment towards excellence as MLSO, gives credibility in providing education in laser safety, attests that you are competent, current and qualified and it shows your employer that you are
totally involved in your profession. (more...)

As discussed in May, the Practical Application Seminars (PAS) that complement the scientific sessions at ILSC are designed especially with you in mind, exploring everyday
scenarios that the LSO and MLSO may encounter.



The Medical PAS, held on Mar 23-24 (Mon-Tues), will be co-chaired by CMLSOs Vangie Dennis and Leslie Pollard, and is intended for MLSOs who work in operating rooms, surgical centers,
aesthetic clinics and medical spas. Leslie reports that roughly half of the medical program is planned; she is definitely accepting ideas for topics and looking for presenters to round out the
program. (more...)

Save the Date! As is our custom, the ASC Z136 Annual Meeting will take place in conjunction with the 2015 International Laser Safety Conference (ILSC), on
March 22, the Sunday before the conference begins.



Wondering what it would be like to participate on ASC Z136? Attend the Annual Meeting as an observer. Meet the experts who develop our standards; talk to chairs about membership on their
subcommittees. Whether your interest lies in a particular standard, e.g., education, R&D, manufacturing, or a technical area, e.g., bioeffects, control measures, non-beam hazards, new members are
"in demand."



Subcommittee Chairs-As we get closer to ILSC, ancillary Z136 and IEC meetings will be scheduled during the week. It is not too early to request meeting space, contact Barbara Sams at 407.380.1553 or
bsams@lia.org to reserve your spot.

Bowen EHS, LLC, is preparing to roll out its new Laser Safety Officer Online Review Course. With the inaugural class start date of October 6 just weeks away,
this 8-week review course will meet twice a week for two hours each day live in the online environment with course instructor and developer, CLSO Will Pate. Aimed at both
new and veteran LSOs, the course is designed to provide students with the tools needed to succeed on the CLSO exam. This course, which fulfills the BLS LSO training course prerequisite, has
been preapproved for continuing education by the BLS for 4 CM Points and 32 CECs from the American Academy of Health Physics (AAHP). For more information on the course, or to register, visit the
Bowen EHS website at CLSO Online Review Course



For those hoping to achieve the CMLSO designation, the LIA offers the
MLSO Online training course. This course mirrors the LIA's popular in-classroom program. With this online course, you can spend less time away from the operating room but
still receive the same high-quality of training. The MLSO Online fulfulls the BLS LSO training course prerequisite to sit for the CMLSO exam and is also approved for 2 CM Points from the BLS
as well as 12 CECs by the AAHP. For more information or to register, visit the LIA website at MLSO Online Course.