Today I was asked ‘what exactly is a Laser Protection Adviser (LPA)?’ So I thought I’d tell the whole world…
In the UK, we have a number of specialists, who have a lot of experience with lasers and their safety aspects, who are known as LPAs. There are two groups of such people – the Association of Laser Safety Professionals (ALSP) and the RPA2000 (who are mostly based in NHS facilities).
The ALSP have LPAs who operate in the aesthetic and medical field (I’m in this group), plus the scientific and the industrial fields too. Most of the RPA guys work within hospitals with lasers, IPLs, X-ray equipment and some other stuff too.
So, what do we do when we are ‘advising’? Fundamentally, we are concerned with the safety aspects around lasers and IPL systems. We do not ‘servce’ these devices – that’s for the service engineers!
We have four main functions:
- To act as an external source of expert advice on laser safety matters;
- To ensure that the client’s lasers are used, and continue to be used, in a safe manner;
- To help the client achieve compliance with applicable laser safety regulations;
- To help the client satisfy the applicable regulatory authorities (e.g. HIS (Scotland), CQC (England), RQIA (Northern Ireland), HIW (Wales), Health & Safety Executive etc) that lasers are being operated safely.
Most businesses/clinics using lasers do not have employees who are highly knowledgeable about the safe use of lasers and require outside help from time to time. In addition, in many situations, such as aesthetic and other clinics using lasers, the local regulatory authority requires that a Certificated Laser Protection Advisor is appointed (depending on local requirements). You may need to contact your local authority to check whether they require this.
Once appointed by a business/clinic, the LPA is responsible for
- Maintaining a register of all lasers of Class 3 R and 4 and associated PPE in the facility.
- Maintaining a register of all users of lasers of Class 3R and 4 in the facility, with the appropriate training certificates.
- Conducting annual audits of lasers of Class 3R and 4, to ensure that the Code of Practice for Laser Safety is being followed, and making recommendations to the relevant person for any remedial action required.
- Advising Laser Safety Officers/Supervisors on the operation of the Code of Practice for Laser Safety; training for registered operaters; protective equipment for laser use – for both operators and patients/clients; proper labelling of lasers; and safe working procedures.
LPAs also liaise with Laser Safety Officers/Supervisors to ensure safe use of all laser/IPL equipment in facilities. I offer a training course for Laser Safety Officers/Supervisors, if you are looking for one.
In summary, we ensure the safe use of lasers and IPLs for all concerned. The most frequently occurring problem I see, when assessing clinics, is the lack of appropriate safety glasses. I see this ALL THE TIME!!! Nowadays, the first thing I do when visintg a clinic, is to check the glasses – I wrote a post about how to read glasses properly – https://mikemurphyblog.com/2024/02/29/laser-safety-glasses-and-how-to-read-them/. Once I am satisfied that the glasses are the correct ones for the lasers/IPLs in the facility, I carry out the rest of the safety and risk assessments.
When I return to my office, I then write a safety report based on my findings, the Local Rules and the Risk Assessment. I will then write my recommendations for anything which I think may be required to adhere to regulations and legislation, and ensure safe use.
Finally…
We only have one pair of eyes. As yet, they cannot be replaced with artificial ones if you severely damage your own (which is entirely possible with modern-day lasers, especially when wearingt he wrong glasses!). An LPA will help to protect your eyes, and those of your patients/clients/staff too!
I hope this answers the original question, but if you need more information please let me know.
Hope this helps,
Mike.
Mike Murphy's Blog 