Product Code: ILSC2007_1306

A New Publication of the German Accident Insurance for the Safe Use of Lasers in Biomedical Applications
Authors:
Wolfgang Wöllmer, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf; Hamburg Germany
Martin Brose, Berufsgenossenschaft der Feinmechanik und Elektrotechnik; Köln Germany
Presented at ILSC 2007

Over the years many efforts and discussions have been spent on the development of the technical report IEC 60825-8, Guidelines for the safe use of medical laser equipment , the second edition being part of present committee work. This report is a collection of safety rules based on experiences with laser applications, in order to help to prevent unsafe conditions, which could lead to incidents or even accidents. On the other hand it must be considered that the medical treatment of each single patient by a physician is individual in spite of all statistical approaches towards an evidence based medicine. Therefore, the decisions of a physician, like the settings of a laser device for a particular treatment, cannot be subject of standardization procedures. In Germany, the competence for the publication of safety rules for the user of laser devices is claimed by the institution of Berufsgenossenschaft (accident insurances / health and safety) for employees. On the basis of the technical report IEC 60825-8, a new information publication is being prepared, which is specifically taylored for the medical situation and conditions in Germany. The work on this publication will be presented and specific aspects are being pointed out.