Product Code: ILSC2011_203

Competence in Laser Safety
Authors:
Ian Gillett, Imperial College London; London Great Britain
Presented at ILSC 2011

At Imperial College London all new Laser Users are required to attend an Introduction to Laser Safety talk. However, this induction training is only the first step in ensuring the health and safety of those working with lasers. The College has recently introduced a Competency Scheme with four levels for Users, based on the level of work they will be carrying out with lasers, and two levels for Advisors. The paper will set out the criteria that are being used to assign the various competency levels and highlight the difficulties there have been introducing the scheme and how these have been overcome. The paper will go on to describe how the Competency Scheme is being developed to cover other areas of high hazard within the university. The paper will include lessons learned from a recent, non-injury, incident which highlights the need for ensuring theory is put into practice.