Training and Ongoing Support for Laser Safety Officers

Serving as a Laser Safety Officer (LSO) requires more than a title or designation. The role depends on knowledge, competence, and continued access to reliable information about laser hazards and control measures. The primary consensus standard for laser safety for end-users around the world, Z136.1—Safe Use of Lasers, does not prescribe specific training programs or credentials for Laser Safety Officers, but it does establish clear expectations regarding competence and authority.

This page explains how training and ongoing support fit into the Laser Safety Officer role and how organizations can ensure that LSOs remain effective as laser operations evolve.

What the Z136.1 Standard Expects Regarding Training

The Z136.1 standard does not mandate a specific training course, certification, or credential for Laser Safety Officers. Instead, it establishes that the individual designated as LSO must be knowledgeable in laser hazards and control measures and capable of carrying out the responsibilities of the role (Source: Z136.1–2022 Safe Use of Lasers, Section 1.3.2, Laser Safety Program Provisions).

The standard also recognizes training as a key administrative control and places responsibility on management to ensure that personnel involved in laser use understand hazards and applicable safety measures (Source: Z136.1–2022 Safe Use of Lasers, Section 1.3.2, Laser Safety Program Provisions).

For LSOs, this translates into an expectation of appropriate preparation, not a prescribed pathway.

Foundational Knowledge for Laser Safety Officers

The level of knowledge required of a Laser Safety Officer depends on the hazards present. In general, LSOs should have a working understanding of:

Laser classifications and hazard analysis
Biological effects of laser radiation on the eye and skin
Engineering and administrative control strategies
Safe operating procedures and exposure limits
Incident investigation and corrective action principles

The Z136.1 standard emphasizes that hazard evaluation and control decisions must be informed and appropriate to the specific laser application (Source: Z136.1–2022 Safe Use of Lasers, Section 3, Hazard Evaluation and Classification).

For higher-hazard environments, particularly those involving Class 3B or Class 4 lasers, deeper technical understanding is typically necessary.

Initial Training and Preparation

Many organizations choose to prepare Laser Safety Officers through a combination of:

Formal laser safety courses
Review of applicable ANSI Z136 standards
Mentoring or shadowing experienced LSOs
Application-specific training related to the organization’s laser systems

While none of these approaches are mandated by Z136.1 standard, they support the standard’s expectation that LSOs be competent and capable of exercising informed oversight.

The choice of training should reflect the complexity and risk of the laser operations involved, consistent with the standard’s risk-based framework (Source: Z136.1–2022 Safe Use of Lasers, Section 5, Education and Training).

Ongoing Learning and Staying Current

Laser technology, applications, and operating environments change over time. The Z136.1 standard does not explicitly require continuing education for Laser Safety Officers, but it does recommend periodic refresher training (Source: Z136.1–2022 Safe Use of Lasers, Section 5, Education and Training) and the standard requires that laser hazards be evaluated and controlled as conditions change (Source: Z136.1–2022 Safe Use of Lasers, Section 3, Hazard Evaluation and Classification).

In practice, many organizations support LSOs by encouraging ongoing learning, such as:

Reviewing updates to applicable ANSI Z136 standards
Staying informed about changes in laser systems or procedures
Participating in professional meetings or technical forums
Consulting subject-matter experts when new hazards are introduced

These activities help ensure that laser safety oversight remains aligned with current conditions. LIA offers various training solutions for LSOs and others under the purview of the LSO.

Access to Standards and Technical Resources

Effective Laser Safety Officers must have access to the standards and reference materials that inform their decisions. At a minimum, this includes access to:

Z136.1–2022 Safe Use of Lasers standard
Other relevant Z136 standards, as applicable
Internal procedures, risk assessments, and safety documentation

It is the responsibility on management to provide the resources necessary to support laser safety functions. Without access to current standards and technical guidance, LSOs cannot reasonably fulfill their role.

Organizational Support and Authority

Training alone is not sufficient. The Z136.1 standard is explicit that the Laser Safety Officer must be granted sufficient authority to carry out assigned responsibilities (Source: Z136.1–2022 Safe Use of Lasers, Section Appendix A, Laser Safety Officer (LSO)).

Ongoing support from management may include:

Clear documentation of LSO authority and responsibilities
Access to decision-makers when safety concerns arise
Time and resources to perform laser safety functions
Support for consultation or external expertise when needed

An LSO who lacks organizational support cannot function effectively, regardless of training or experience.

Training Does Not Transfer Responsibility

It is important to note that training a Laser Safety Officer does not transfer responsibility away from management. The Z136.1 standard makes clear that management retains ultimate responsibility for the laser safety program, including authority and oversight (Source: Z136.1–2022 Safe Use of Lasers, Section 1.3, Laser Safety Programs).

The LSO’s role is to support informed decision-making, not to assume sole accountability for safety outcomes.

Adapting Support as Laser Use Evolves

As laser systems, applications, or operating conditions change, organizations may need to adjust the level of training and support provided to the Laser Safety Officer. This may include additional education, access to new expertise, or changes in how laser safety responsibilities are structured.

While the Z136.1 standard does not prescribe how or when such adjustments occur, its emphasis on hazard evaluation and appropriate controls underscores the importance of aligning support with current risk conditions (Source: Z136.1–2022 Safe Use of Lasers, Section 3, Hazard Classification of Lasers).