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Message from the Director
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It is with deepest sorrow that I announce the passing of two of our CLSOs over the summer, Randy Scott and Darrell Seeley. As we send our condolences to their families, I would like us to remember
these very special men and their contributions to the laser safety community.
Lieutenant Colonel Randall "Radman" Scott passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his family after a brief, but courageous battle with leukemia. Randy's professional career, spanning four
decades included private industry, Air Force, and federal civil service, and ranged from nuclear launch safety as Chief of the NASA Kennedy Space Center Radiation Protection Program, to nuclear
energy production, medical physics, and non-ionizing radiation safety expertise in laser and RF/microwave applications. Read More...
We lost Darrell Lewis Seeley to cancer on August 12, 2016. He was a professor of physics at Parkland College in Champaign IL and later for 22 years at the Milwaukee School of Engineering. In 2002,
Darrell left MSOE to start his own laser safety consulting company and in 2011, he joined Rockwell Laser Industries as Vice President and worked for them until becoming ill. Well known in the laser
safety community as a teacher and consultant, Darrell received the LIA R. James Rockwell Jr. Award in 2007.
Darrell was one of the first nine persons in the U.S. to become a CLSO (8/12/2002), a member of the BLS Board of Commissioners, a member of ANSI Accredited Standards Committee ASC Z136 Safe Use of
Lasers, as well as two of its subcommittees, LIA corporate member, and a past member of the LIA Board of Directors. He was an industrial laser safety trainer in the U.S. and Canada for the LIA for
more than ten years, a visiting laser scientist with the U.S. Army, Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD; Cedar Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA; the Laser Institute of America, Orlando, FL; and the
Austrian Research Centers, Seibersdorf, Austria as the first recipient of the Herta Firnberg fellowship there for two summers. Read More...
Barbara Sams
Executive Director
Board of Laser Safety |
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Remembering the 1st CLSO Exam – Creation
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There were a few meetings held with the psychometric testing service to develop the CLSO exam questions. Topics addressed included
- How many of each category of questions should there be, i.e., non-beam, calculations, bioeffects, etc. These are now known as our Areas of Practice.
- What percentage of LSOs would know the information in a question or topic? For example, would an LSO in a factory know about CDRH? This assists in determining the level of difficulty of each
question and setting the exam cut score / passing point.
- What numbers should an LSO know, MPE for visible CW laser, exposure duration, etc. as tables are not provided.
Once these discussions had taken place, the nine of us were approached to take the CLSO exam. We would have only one hour, then question by question was reviewed, the answer stated and discussed
to see if we all agreed and whether the question and response choices were clear. For our efforts, we would become the first nine CLSOs. From what I remember, while no test grade was openly
discussed, just from conversation over the questions everyone did very well – I would say all passed on their own merit.
Thanks to Ken Barat for an overview of the creation of the 1st CLSO exam.
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In Safety News
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Balloting on the approval of membership applications to ASC Z136, received since the committee’s annual meeting, closed on Monday,
July 11, 2016. All requests were approved, with the results of each as follows.
The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), each sought affirmation of their
appointments for change of primary representation to the committee. Walt Nickens (ASSE), Jamie King (LLNL) and Randall Scott (NASA) were all approved unanimously.
Photon Manufacturing, specializing in electronic and optical development for medical and laser systems received approval as an organizational member to the committee, with Roberta McHatton acting
as its representative. Dr. Jennifer Hunter, an assistant professor of ophthalmology at Flaum Eye Institute and longtime member of technical subcommittee 1 (TSC-1) on laser bioeffects and medical
surveillance was approved as a new ASC Z136 individual member.
CLSO Timothy Hitchcock was honored by being named an emeritus member of the committee. Nominated by ASC Z136 committee members, emeritus members are those with “long and distinguished service in
support of ASC Z136 standards.” Membership includes lifetime membership in ASC Z136, recognition in the front matter of ASC Z136 standards, and all privileges as an ASC Z136 member with the exception
of voting on committee matters and standards.
Committee housecleaning called for the removal of several organizations and individuals due to non-participation. ASC Z136 Procedures state, “Non-participation shall be defined as failure to
respond to committee balloting requests and failure to attend the annual meeting (in person or by proxy) over a period greater than one (1) year.” Balloting criteria makes it imperative that members
vote in order to validate the ballot, whether affirmative, negative or abstention. Organizations approved for removal from the committee were American Academy of Dermatology, American College of
Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and Lightwave International, while individuals approved for removal were J. Stuart Nelson and Nikolay Stoev. Note that reinstatement is available to any former member
who wishes to reapply.
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11th DOE LSO Workshop
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The upcoming 11th Department of Energy Laser Safety Officer Workshop will be held at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab) September 27-29, 2016. It will feature a vendor exhibition on
the afternoon of Wednesday, September 28, along with tours of various Fermilab facilities.
Please see the Workshop website for a detailed agenda, list of exhibitors, tour details and travel information.
The DOE LSO Workshop is a the premier meeting to gain practical laser safety knowledge, discuss ideas with colleagues from around the world, and gain maintenance points for only $120. Points will
be available for CLSO, CHP, CIH, and CSP certifications. Additionally, we will feature meetings of the ANSI ASC Z136 subcommittees: TSC-1, TSC-4, SSC-8, SSC-9, a University AMLSO meeting, and the DOE
EFCOG LSSG meeting. On Monday, September 26, the Board of Laser Safety will offer a CLSO exam.
More details are available at the Workshop website, https://indico.fnal.gov/event/LSOW16.
We hope that you will be able to attend.
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ILSC 2017
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Are you passionate about Laser Safety? Review the Call for Papers and present at ILSC 2017!
The 2017 International Laser Safety Conference (ILSC®) is a comprehensive four-day conference covering all aspects of laser safety practice and hazard control. Share your experience & laser
safety knowledge with other safety professionals from all over the world at ILSC!
Laser Safety Scientific Sessions (LSSS) will address developments in regulatory, mandatory and voluntary safety standards for laser products and for laser use. The Practical Applications Seminars
(PAS) complement the scientific sessions by exploring everyday scenarios that the Laser Safety Officer (LSO) and Medical Laser Safety Officer (MLSO) may encounter.
Abstract Submission Website
Abstract Deadline: October 6, 2016
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OSHA National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health schedules final meeting of the Emergency Response and Preparedness Subcommittee
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WASHINGTON – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health will hold a meeting of the Emergency Response and Preparedness
Subcommittee on Sept. 7-9, 2016, in Washington, D.C.
The subcommittee will finalize their discussion of potential elements of an emergency response and preparedness proposed rule, and prepare a recommendation to NACOSH.
The meeting will be held 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., in Room N-4437 at the U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20210. The meetings are open to the public. Individuals who
would like to attend, submit comments, make an oral presentation or need special accommodations to attend, should contact Bill Hamilton at Hamilton.Bill@dol.gov, 202-693-2077 (phone), or 202-693-1663 (fax), by Sept. 1, 2016.
NACOSH was established by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to advise and make recommendations to the secretaries of labor,
and health and human services on occupational safety and health programs, and policies and matters relating to the administration of the OSH Act.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for
America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.
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Featured LSOs - A BLS Laser Tag Team
Featured CLSO: Mark Pflug
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Tell us about yourself
I am Mark Pflug, MS, RPPT, CHMM, CLSO, CMLSO. I am the system-wide Radiation Safety Officer, MR Safety Officer, Environmental Safety Manager, and Deputy Laser Safety Officer for Cone Health
(Greensboro, NC).
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My career in safety and radiological health started after graduating high school when I enlisted in the U.S. Navy and its Naval Nuclear Power Program. After serving 10 years in the submarine
force, I began my civilian career working for hospital- and university-based programs. My previous employers include University of Utah, Purdue University, Yale University, and Northwestern Medicine
in Chicago. I graduated with my Master’s Degree from Purdue University in Health Physics.
I am happily married to my beautiful wife Heather. Our family consists of three awesomeand talented children, two dogs, and one very scared cat.
How did you become LSO?
While at Purdue University, I taught laser safety, as well as radiation safety, to our lab users and students. At Northwestern Medicine, I was the LSO for our downtown hospital (Northwestern
Memorial Hospital), Prentice Women’s Hospital, Lake Forest Hospital, and Grayslake facilities. I became certified as a CMLSO at Northwestern and organized the first laser safety committee for the
hospital system. Working in health physics, lasers, and laser safety was a natural fit, as the worlds on ionizing and non-ionizing radiation collide.
Do you like being a CLSO and CMLSO?
There is great personal satisfaction knowing we have a cohesive safety program. I believe, as a team, we make a difference in our healthcare community. I must give high marks to our Cone Health
Laser Safety Officer, Chris Dissinger. While I play a supportive role as the Deputy Laser Safety Officer, Chris is absolutely fantastic in his administration of our laser safety program. He is
committed to having the best program possible and holds everyone to a higher standard. Together, we are a “(laser) tag-team” of safety.
I am happy to report, that at Cone Health, Laser Safety is taken very seriously with uncompromising backing and support. From our terrific nursing staff to our Medical Affairs Vice-president, Dr.
Bill Bowman, MD, safety for medical-use lasers is of paramount importance. Authorized users must go through a rigorous credentialing program. Approvals of machines go through a stringent course of
departmental sign-offs. I am very fortunate to have an organization that places patient and staff safety as a top priority. True actions and not mere motions are the hallmarks of a viable program.
Through Chris Dissinger’s valiant efforts, we have created a strong laser safety culture.
Has becoming certified helped you in your career?
Certification in both CLSO and CMLSO have been instrumental in my role as the Radiation Safety Officer. With new machines and new emerging technologies, the world of laser safety is ever changing.
Maintaining certification means continual education and instruction. Through organizations like BLS, one has the opportunity to learn new information and keep current with standards, rules,
definitions, and regulatory compliance. Taking advantage of the resources of certification, I have been able to build a firm foundation of knowledge, which has, in turn, provided me a greater sense
of confidence in implementing safety programs throughout of system.
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Featured CMLSO: Chris Dissinger
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Tell us about yourself
I am Chris Dissinger, CBET, CMLSO. I started as a Biomedical Technician in the US Army back in 1980. I received my AAS Biomedical degree from Regis University (formerly Regis College) in 1986, and
became a Certified Biomedical Technician (CBET) in 1994.
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I moved into a manager role in 2003 overseeing seven technicians. Now I have a dual role of being a technical analyst (2008) for the biomedical department and the Laser Safety Officer (2010) for
Cone Health in Greensboro, North Carolina. Our health system comprises of six hospitals, four surgery centers, an outlying emergency department, hundreds of clinics, in a five county area.
I enjoy biking, hiking, and being outdoors with my dog. My passion is learning Spanish, and my goal is to retire and live “la vida” in Mexico.
How did you become LSO?
In 2010, I was asked if I wanted to assume the role of Laser Safety Officer for the health system. Having no experience with lasers, I was reluctant to take on this role but accepted it as a
challenge and a way to develop professionally.
Do you like being a CMLSO?
I really enjoy it, because we have a great team here at Cone Health. We have had some major challenges, but also some major improvements in the program. We currently oversee 45 lasers in 17 sites.
I have been blessed with an incredible support team. Mark Pflug is the Deputy Laser Safety Officer. He is certified as a CLSO and CMLSO, and is our Radiation Safety Officer, Magnetic Resonance Safety
Officer, and Environmental Safety Officer for the health system. He is a resource with a wealth of experience and information. Jennifer Fencle, Clinical Support Nurse, has been instrumental in
developing the continuing education program for laser operators and a resource for me for clinical questions. I have a knowledgeable and committed laser safety committee, which is comprised of laser
safety site contacts (LSSCs) from each site plus representatives from non-clinical areas. Medical Staff services has been very supportive with the physician laser privileging. The executive
leadership for Operative Services have been very supportive in continuing laser safety education. We just had LIA (Leslie Pollard) give a two-day “hands on” laser safety class for laser personnel in
the operating rooms system wide. I cannot leave out or forget my director, Trey Everette, who has supported me with continuing education and helping me navigate the political arena. Laser Safety is a
team effort, and truly does not reside on one person.
Has becoming certified helped you in your career?
When I was handed the baton, I truly felt unprepared to take on this role. I didn’t know ANSI standards or how to run a laser safety program. Determined to be able to “talk the talk” and develop a
successful program, I immersed myself in ANSI standards and took the MLSO course taught by LIA instructor Vangie Dennis. It has helped me incredibly to meet the day-to-day challenges that are
presented and has given me the confidence to know I am on the right track. I have always been a true believer in certification, because it helps you become “well rounded” and educated on all aspects
of your field. The fact that you have to have continuing education to maintain your certification, keeps you sharp and up to date on the latest changes to the field. It also gives you credibility
when talking with other professionals.
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