Safety and the role of the Laser Protection Adviser or LPA
The Government has stated that up to 3400 more people could be harmed each year as a result of deregulation. The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, said while lasers and IPL could be safe if administered in an "appropriate environment" and by a "properly trained clinician", the public should be aware that these procedures posed risks ranging from irritated skin to burns.
To ensure clients receive safe treatments WhichLaserClinic.com check clinics have used a Laser Protection Advisor before being registered.
Clinics employ the services of a Laser Protection Adviser (LPA) to ensure that high safety standards are maintained for the protection of both staff and clients.
Click HERE for the WhichLaserClinic.com list of Laser Protection Advisors.
(For LPA's there is no charge to appear on our list and we welcome applications, provided they are fully certified.)
General Duties of the LPA:-
a) Carry out a risk assessment and recommend appropriate control measures.
b) Check all laser equipment and facilities before use.
c) Produce a set of local rules and written operating procedures.
d) Check available safety eyewear and other safety equipment, either approve or recommend replacement to the latest standards.
e) Check or recommend area signs and correct labelling of equipment.
f) Check that all laser operators have received adequate safety training
Who checks LPA's?
RPA2000
A non profit making company set up in 2000 by The Society for Radiological Protection; The Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine; the Institute of Radiation Protection and the Association of University Radiation Protection Officers (the Societies) solely for the purpose of certifying competence in radiation protection practice.
The Association of Laser Safety Professionals (ALSP)
Formed in 2004 by a group of laser safety experts actively involved in providing advice, support and training in laser safety.
All of the founder Members have been and are currently actively involved in laser safety at a high professional level as a major part of their professional and commercial activities.
Many also take leading roles in the development of international laser safety standards, being active members of Technical Committees with the British Standards Institute and as UK representatives on relevant ISO and IEC Standards making Committees.
Members work in research, design, development, manufacturing, contracting, consulting, teaching in diverse fields from heavy industrial processing applications through to microtechnology and telecommunications, and in all aspects of laser applications in hospitals, consulting rooms and laser therapy.
Members regularly contribute National journals and at conferences and seminars about Laser Safety.
Responsibilities of the Laser Protection Supervisor
The Laser Protection Supervisor (LPS) is normally a senior member of staff with who has responsibility for day to day safety within the clinic. The reputable clinic will employ the services of a Laser Protection Advisor (LPA) who assists with drawing up a set of 'local rules'. The LPS will ensure that these rules are carried out and is the first point of contact for any safety related questions. If the LPS does not have an immediate answer they can contact the LPA for clarification.
UK Laser Safety Standards
The organisation setting standards for the majority of the world is the International Electrotechnical Commission IEC which is based in Switzerland. The IEC standard for laser safety is IEC 60825 the UK equivalent issued by the British Standards Institute is BS EN 60825.
The Range of Laser Safety Standards covered by BS EN 60825:-
60825-1:2007 Safety of laser products. Equipment classification and requirements.
60825-2:2004/2007 Safety of laser products. Safety of optical fibre communication systems.
60825-3 Safety of laser products. Guidance for laser displays and shows
60825-4:2006 Safety of laser products. Laser guards.
60825-5 Manufacturer's checklist for IEC 60825-1
60825-6 Safety of laser products with optical sources
60825-7 Safety of laser products emitting infrared optical radiation
60825-8:2006 Safety of laser products. Guidelines for the safe use of laser beams on humans
60825-9 Compilation of maximum permissible exposure to incoherent optical radiation
60825-10 Application guidelines and explanatory notes to IEC 60825-1
60825-11 Safety of lasers and laser equipment used in an industrial materials processing environment
60825-12 Safety of laser products. Safety of free space optical communication systems
60825-13 Measurements for classification of laser products used for IEC 60825-1
60825-14:2004 Safety of laser products. A users guide
60825-15 Guidance on manufacturing requirements relating to non-laser optical radiation safety
60825-16 Guidelines for the safe use of intense light source equipment on humans and animals
60825-17 Safety aspects for use of passive optical components and optical cables in high power optical fibre communication systems.
In The US there is the American National Standards Institute ANSI standards. The ANSI standard for laser safety is ANSI Z136.1, there are many similarities between US and European standards.
Laser Safety Standards for Eyewear
BS EN 207:2009 Standard for Personal eye-protection. Filters and eye-protectors against laser radiation (laser eye-protectors). Eyewear specified with EN207 will commonly be seen in the clinics and will be able to withstand a direct hit from a laser.
BS EN 208:2009
Personal eye-protection. Eye-protectors for adjustment work on lasers and laser systems (laser adjustment eye-protectors)
BS 8497-2:2008
Guidance for the use of eyewear for protection against intense light sources used on humans and animals for cosmetic and medical applications.
Recommended reading:-
REGULATION OF ESTABLISHMENTS USING CLASS 3B & 4 LASERS AND INTENSE PULSED LIGHT SYSTEMS:
Ensuring good practice
British Medical Laser Association
April 2010
Good practice will be achieved if establishments operating lasers/intense pulsed lights (IPLs) are required to provide evidence for the following key areas:
1.0 Safe Environment
2.0 Safe Equipment
3.0 Suitably Trained Operators
4.0 Appropriate Treatment Application
The requirements for delivering good practice within theses four areas are outlined below.
REQUIREMENTS
1.0 Safe Environment: Establishments will ensure a safe operating environment
1.1 Laser and IPL users are required to have access to safety advice from a certificated laser protection adviser (LPA). Evidence of the LPA’s laser/IPL certification and experience should be available for reference on site.
1.2 Laser and IPL users are required to provide evidence of regular communication between the establishment and LPA, including an annual review which does not necessitate an on-site visit. The annual review should include a safety risk assessment of the establishment which is signed and dated and include a date for next review / assessment.
1.3 The Local Rules document must be in place on site, signed and dated by a Laser Protection Advisor (LPA) to confirm authorisation, should be reviewed annually and include a projected date for review.
1.4 Unless there has been a serious incident, or there is significant change in the equipment or environment, an on-site visit will only be required every 4 years.
2.0 Safe Equipment: Equipment will operate to the required specification
2.1 There is a requirement that lasers/IPLs are serviced and maintained to ensure they are operating within their design specification.
2.2 The user should ensure that the service agent services the laser/IPL in accordance with the manufacturer’s specification. A record of servicing and repairs is kept.
2.3 Lasers and IPL systems have an electrical safety test carried out annually.
3.0 Suitably Trained Operator: Patients/clients will receive treatment from appropriately trained laser/IPL operators
3.1 All laser/IPL operators must demonstrate evidence of having attended laser/IPL operator training which is system specific and treatment specific. All staff involved in laser/IPL treatment must receive appropriate training. Evidence of training attendance certificates should be held within the establishment.
3.2 All laser/IPL operators must attend a laser/IPL Core of Knowledge safety training course. Evidence of a training attendance certificate should be held within the establishment for confirmation.
3.3 All staff using lasers/IPLs have evidence of continuing professional development training, both planned and in reaction to relevant technological and medical developments. Update training may include private study, attendance at meetings, exhibitions, learning and training events, etc. A written record should be kept to demonstrate evidence of attendance.
3.4 All operators of lasers and IPL systems use them only for treatments for which they have been trained and, where appropriate, hold qualifications.
4.0 Appropriate Treatment Application: Treatments will be administered according to a defined treatment protocol
4.1 A written treatment protocol should be produced by an expert registered health care professional (ERHP) which identifies the treatments performed, sets out the necessary pre-treatment checks and tests, anaesthetic requirements as appropriate, the manner in which the procedure is to be applied, the acceptable variations in the settings used, and when to abort a treatment. The EHRP should be registered with the General Medical Council, Health Professions Council, General Nursing Council or General Dental Council, as appropriate, and they must be able to demonstrate expertise in the area of treatment covered by the protocol.
4.2 The treatment protocol should be signed and dated by the (ERHP) to confirm authorisation. A separate treatment protocol should be in place for each laser/IPL treatment.