Laser Safety Officer – BEO Questions and
Answers| Latest Update
What are the responsibilities of Public Health? Assist in laser injury investigations and
enter into AFSAS
What are the responsibilities of the workplace supervisors? They adhere to the supervisor
duties detailed in AFI 48-139
Describe the military specific laser approval process Which lasers have to be approved -
lasers that are used for operational or combat purposes. Commercially developed lasers have to
go through the SG.
The approval process is initiated by the SPO that wants the laser. For commercially dev'd lasers,
MAJCOM initiates approval through AFRL.
The laser will then be evaluated as soon as final production configuration has been achieved.
A Preliminary Hazard Analysis is performed using manufacturer supplied specs to characterize
hazards.
After everything has been quantified, AFRL performs calcs that define the hazards.
If the device is disapproved, it will need redesigned. This will normally only happen if the risk is
not worth the reward
What must be done when an incident occurs? Workers should notify the workplace
supervisor.
Medical care should be sought immediately
Supervisor should notify the Unit/CC, ULSO, and ILSO within 8 hrs.
, ILSO notifies SEG, PH, JAG, MAJCOM
Installation OEHMC coordinates the event w/ ILSO
ILSO notifies the Tri-Service Hotline within 3 days
Investigation within 30 days
What guidance can be used for laser overexposures/accidents? The BE Guide for
Lasers/Optical Radiation
USAFSAM Laser Injury Guidebook
Who is the ILSO required to provide the final investigation report to? PH, SE, JA,
MAJCOM BE, AFMSA, and cc the ESOH Service Center. All within 30 workdays.
The report is also included in the individuals medical record. The documented exposures are
considered occ illnesses and will be reported as such.
Divergence Angle The rate at which a beam diameter expands over a distance (miliradians
mrad) 1 mrad = 0.0573 degrees
What other laser control do you need to consider for Laser Eye Protection (LEP) High
Visible Light Transmission (VLT) will allow the user to see more detail
What should labels on barriers contain? Barrier Model No.
Exposure Criteria
Care and Cleaning
Answers| Latest Update
What are the responsibilities of Public Health? Assist in laser injury investigations and
enter into AFSAS
What are the responsibilities of the workplace supervisors? They adhere to the supervisor
duties detailed in AFI 48-139
Describe the military specific laser approval process Which lasers have to be approved -
lasers that are used for operational or combat purposes. Commercially developed lasers have to
go through the SG.
The approval process is initiated by the SPO that wants the laser. For commercially dev'd lasers,
MAJCOM initiates approval through AFRL.
The laser will then be evaluated as soon as final production configuration has been achieved.
A Preliminary Hazard Analysis is performed using manufacturer supplied specs to characterize
hazards.
After everything has been quantified, AFRL performs calcs that define the hazards.
If the device is disapproved, it will need redesigned. This will normally only happen if the risk is
not worth the reward
What must be done when an incident occurs? Workers should notify the workplace
supervisor.
Medical care should be sought immediately
Supervisor should notify the Unit/CC, ULSO, and ILSO within 8 hrs.
, ILSO notifies SEG, PH, JAG, MAJCOM
Installation OEHMC coordinates the event w/ ILSO
ILSO notifies the Tri-Service Hotline within 3 days
Investigation within 30 days
What guidance can be used for laser overexposures/accidents? The BE Guide for
Lasers/Optical Radiation
USAFSAM Laser Injury Guidebook
Who is the ILSO required to provide the final investigation report to? PH, SE, JA,
MAJCOM BE, AFMSA, and cc the ESOH Service Center. All within 30 workdays.
The report is also included in the individuals medical record. The documented exposures are
considered occ illnesses and will be reported as such.
Divergence Angle The rate at which a beam diameter expands over a distance (miliradians
mrad) 1 mrad = 0.0573 degrees
What other laser control do you need to consider for Laser Eye Protection (LEP) High
Visible Light Transmission (VLT) will allow the user to see more detail
What should labels on barriers contain? Barrier Model No.
Exposure Criteria
Care and Cleaning
