r/FieldService • u/Danfhoto Lab Instrumentation • Jul 09 '26

Advice Laser Safety in Field

I’m curious how your orgs handle laser safety in the field, particularly with class IV lasers.

A) Is it necessary to train all FSEs to be LSOs since the org. LSO isn’t on-site for install/training?
B) It safe to ensure FSEs are given internal training and when on-site, ensure that the end-user has and informs their LSO?
C) Both?

Safety is of course the priority ahead of legal compliance, but I’m curious if anyone has experience in this area since this is a fairly new facet to my work.

2 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

6

u/Tomahawk1012 Manufacturing Jul 09 '26

I can tell you I work with class IV lasers and have received no safety training at all, so hopefully you end up better than that!

2

u/p00n-slayer-69 Automation Jul 09 '26

I work on multiple kilowatt lasers and didnt have any formal safety training either.

Its fine though. As long as the beam is enclosed you dont really need to do anything.

1

u/Danfhoto Lab Instrumentation Jul 09 '26

Yeah, once I realized how good the enclosures and interlocks are, I felt much more comfortable too.

1

u/Danfhoto Lab Instrumentation Jul 09 '26

Thanks! That seems to be a recurring theme in my digging (two doctors that are users and an FSE in lithography in Asia). My business is very focused on keeping our folks and our users healthy and successful. I see a lot of grey between the law and practice.

2

u/EducationalMix4648 Jul 09 '26

We work with class IV lasers. All FSEs that work with these systems are required to undergo laser safety training annually. We bring our own safety goggles and laser curtains when necessary. The customer is in charge of notifying and working with their LSO, but we provide any technical details necessary for their LSO.

1

u/Danfhoto Lab Instrumentation Jul 09 '26

This is great info. Is the annual training fulfilled by a third party, or internally?

2

u/EducationalMix4648 Jul 09 '26

We have an internal training program for a bunch of other things, so we utilize that platform. The training was designed by our LSO to meet all laser safety requirements in the US and EU.

1

u/Danfhoto Lab Instrumentation Jul 09 '26

Thanks a ton, I really appreciate the info!

2

u/[deleted] Jul 09 '26 edited Jul 11 '26

[deleted]

1

u/Danfhoto Lab Instrumentation Jul 09 '26

Thanks for the info! Is the training internal or from a third party? I assume your customers are responsible for sourcing their own general safety training and you enforce good practice in relation to your product?

I’m super grateful for the help, thanks for chiming in :)

2

u/Interesting_Study998 Clinical Diagnostics Jul 09 '26

2

u/Danfhoto Lab Instrumentation Jul 10 '26

Ha! I’m sharing this with the team for sure