Volume 9 - Issue 1

Message from the Director

We are fervently working to finalize the program for the International Laser Safety Conference (ILSC), after a slow start and amidst preparations for LIA's
Laser Additive Manufacturing (LAM) Workshop, which takes place March 4-5. Three weeks in between, but for us only moments separate the two events.

While certification maintenance (CM) points are awarded for attendance at any laser safety or applications professional conference or workshop, ILSC is "the" conference for
our niche within the laser safety community. Of particular interest are the Medical and Technical Practical Applications Seminars, MPAS and TPAS respectively, both of which are once again chaired by
BLS certified laser safety officers.

Co-Chairing the MPAS, Vangie Dennis and Leslie Pollard promise cutting-edge presenations designed with a focus on new and innovative medical laser information. The TPAS, chaired by
Tom Lieb, will provide a forum for institutional laser safety professionals to share real world lessons on managing site laser safety programs in a variety of settings. Concurrent
with MPAS and TPAS are the Laser Safety Scientific Sessions (LSSS), which provides the platform for a truly outstanding assortment of presentations from all fields of laser safety.

Opportunities to network, that is outside of conference sessions and ASC Z136 meetings (see ANSI Update for ancillary meetings listing),include the Welcome Reception, Awards Luncheon and Sponsor
Reception. This year, BLS will host the Laser Safety Professionals Luncheon, which is open to all ILSC attendees. Absent from ILSC 2013, the Wednesday lunch is co-sponsored by Laser
Compliance® and will feature an informative presentation and panel discussion on laser safety officer certifications (CLSO and CMLSO).

If you would like to participate on the panel, please contact me! This is a CM point opportunity!

If you have questions about the conference, ancillary meetings, or social functions, please feel free to contact either Daniela or me by email or on the BLS office line, 407.985.3810.

I look forward to seeing you at ILSC!

Barbara Sams
Executive Director
Board of Laser Safety

Featured CLSO,
Candace Soles
The benefits of being certified grow each year. Invitations to join organizations and committees roll in! I have been a member of the Board of Laser Safety (BLS) Board of Commissioners for several
years and Secretary to ANSI Z136.9 Subcommittee since 2007. Also, I am the only CLSO at Coherent so I am able to help my LSO colleagues when they face safety-related challenges. I am most satisfied
with my work when I am able to take the "laser sting" out of someone's day. (more...)

Featured CMLSO, Greg Nightingale
Benefits - I was able to get new business cards with CMLSO behind my name at the hospital's expense. With being the CMLSO for the hospital I have been asked several times to help with laser safety
from clinics and small surgery centers around the area. Also it has afforded me the trips to the ILSC conferences held every 2 years throughout the USA and be able to meet up with some of the leaders
in laser safety. (more...)

With the Advance Program now available, and the Conference Program & Proceedings in production, we can now offer a taste of what's to come:

Opening Plenary - Lasers All Around Us
Two extremes of effective control of laser safety issues; first Bill Seng from Sandia will present the range of lasers and applications at the laboratory, controlled within
the lab environment. At the other extreme, John O'Hagan shares a presentation from Fahd Quhill (Sheffield Teaching Hospitals) that details the tragic results of children playing with lasers purchased
as Christmas presents (toys), parents unaware of the potential risks.

Closing Plenary - Looking Forward
John O'Hagan and John Tyrer intend to provide us with some homework before the next ILSC, and close with an overview of the launch of this year's celebration of the International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies.

Laser Safety Scientific Sessions include:

• Bioeffects
• Standards and Regulations
• Underpinning Science
• Hazard Eval and Risk Assessment
• High Power Lasers
• Laser Safety Analysis
• Outdoor Lasers and Laser Display
• Medical Hazards
• Training and Programs
• Administrative Controls

See the Advance Program for paper titles and authors, as well as presentation times.

Committee members – as you know, the ASC Z136 annual meeting will be held on Sunday, March 22. The formal meeting notice, with agenda was distributed last
week.

Observers – ASC Z136 meetings are open to the public; however RSVP is required for meal planning purposes. If you are interested in the workings of the committee, we
encourage you to attend. If you have any questions regarding the annual meeting, would like to request an agenda or plan to attend, please contact Barbara
or Daniela for more information.

Attending ILSC but unable to come to the annual meeting? Stop by the ASC Z136 booth at the Sponsor Reception on Tuesday, March 24 to learn more about committee membership!

Ancillary Meetings Updated Listing:

It's not too late!! With the additional charge of a $50 late fee, you have until May 31st of this year to get your renewal CM worksheet turned in. For your
convenience here is the link to the CM Worksheet. If you have any questions or need assistance in getting this
completed please do not hesitate to contact Daniela.

For the first time since 2007, the Laser Institute of America has updated its acclaimed Laser Safety Guide making it a necessity for every safe laser environment. (more...).

Did You Know? is offered to apprise the laser safety community of industry-related nuggets of information. Please share newsworthy information with your fellow CLSOs and CMLSOs by contacting
us at bls@lasersafety.org.