LSO Workshop Review - Lefebvre

The Seventh Annual DOE LSO Workshop Review
By: Michael Lefebvre

The 7th Annual DOE Laser Safety Officer Workshop was held at the esteemed Massachusetts Institute of Technology on August 2-4, 2011. The workshop contained a variety of unique lectures, panel discussions, and open workshops not available in standard laser safety training. Panel experts provided insights and solutions to real world laser safety issues during this exciting 2-½ day event.

MIT; location of the 7^th Annual DOE Laser Safety Officer Workshop

Key presentations on the first day included ANSI updates, FAA reports on laser cockpit illumination, laser auditing and outdoor lasers. A hosted lunch included mini-workshops on Lazan, Easy Haz, (laser safety software) and BLS certification process. The keynote speaker, Jeff Hecht, renowned contributing editor at Laser Focus World, gave the audience a fascinating “50+” year synopsis of the laser and its applications. That evening, LSOs were treated to a “Night at Fenway Park” for a Red Sox baseball game against the Cleveland Indians. After a two-hour rain delay, the Red Sox beat the Indians 3-2; the game finished up 5 minutes before midnight!

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LSO Night at Fenway Park hosted by Kentek

Day 2 included lectures on the human eye, medical laser safety in ophthalmology, an overview from Harvard Children’s Hospital and a lively lecture on “Developing a Laser Safety Culture” from Northwestern University. The concept of CARE (Concentration, Attitudes, Recognition & Everyone) was introduced as a paradigm for laser safety. During the evening hours, LSO’s were treated to an enchanting social hour at the MIT Museum to view inventions developed at the institute during the last 150 years. Appetizer and drinks were provided; attendees had an excellent time!

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Evening at the MIT Museum; the TX-0 computer circa 1954

The third day included lectures on laser safety and facilities, lasers in material processing, curtains and barriers and an informative presentation by David Sliney on the changing MPE values reflected in the next ANSI Z136.1. The workshops chairman Ken Barat made closing remarks with the EFCOG Meeting and CLSO Exam being held in the afternoon at the end of the workshop.

This year’s workshop was decidedly one of the best! Attendees left with a wealth of knowledge, newfound friendships and a greater appreciation for the responsibilities associated with being a laser safety officer. Nest year’s workshop is being held at the SLAC facility on the Stanford Campus. One question still remains for next year’s workshop: which stadium will we attend on baseball night, San Francisco or Oakland?