Who can serve as a Laser Safety Officer?

A common misconception is that a Laser Safety Officer (LSO) must hold a specific job title, certification, or professional credential. The primary consensus standard for laser safety for end-users around the world, Z136.1—Safe Use of Lasers, does not impose such a requirement. Instead, the standard focuses on competence, authority, and accountability, allowing organizations to designate an LSO in a manner that fits their structure and risk profile.

Understanding who can serve as a Laser Safety Officer begins with understanding what the role requires.

How the Z136.1 Standard Defines Eligibility

The Z136.1 standard does not define the Laser Safety Officer role in terms of formal credentials or employment classification. Rather, it establishes that the LSO must be knowledgeable in laser hazards and controls and must be granted sufficient authority to carry out the responsibilities of the role (Source: Z136.1–2022 Safe Use of Lasers, Section 1.3.2, Laser Safety Program Provisions).

The standard further emphasizes that management is responsible for ensuring that laser safety duties are assigned to individuals with appropriate competence and authority (Source: Z136.1–2022 Safe Use of Lasers, Section 1.3.2, Laser Safety Program Provisions).

In practice, this means that an LSO may come from a variety of professional backgrounds, provided these conditions are met.

Internal vs. External Laser Safety Officers

Internal Laser Safety Officers

Many organizations designate an internal employee to serve as the Laser Safety Officer. Common examples include:

Engineers or technical staff familiar with laser systems
Environmental health and safety professionals
Research or laboratory managers
Medical or clinical personnel with laser oversight responsibilities

An internal LSO often has the advantage of familiarity with day-to-day operations, personnel, and organizational processes. However, the organization must ensure that the individual has adequate laser safety knowledge and the authority to implement or enforce controls when necessary (Source: Z136.1–2022 Safe Use of Lasers, Section 1.3.2, Laser Safety Program Provisions).

External or Contracted Laser Safety Officers

The Z136.1 standard allows for the Laser Safety Officer role to be fulfilled by an external individual or organization. This approach is common when:

Laser use is limited or intermittent
The organization lacks in-house laser safety expertise
Independent review or specialized knowledge is desired

External LSOs may support hazard evaluations, procedure development, audits, and training while coordinating with internal management. Even when an external LSO is used, management retains responsibility for ensuring that laser safety requirements are met (Source: Z136.1–2022 Safe Use of Lasers, Section 1.3, Laser Safety Programs).

Required Knowledge and Competence

While the Z136.1 standard does not mandate specific credentials, it clearly expects that the Laser Safety Officer possess knowledge commensurate with the hazards present.

This typically includes understanding of:

Laser classifications and hazard analysis
Biological effects of laser radiation
Engineering and administrative control measures
Applicable procedures and operational practices
Incident response and corrective action processes

The depth of required knowledge increases with laser class, accessibility, and complexity of operations. For example, oversight of Class 4 open-beam research systems demands a higher level of technical understanding than oversight of fully enclosed industrial laser products (Z136.1–2022 Safe Use of Lasers, Section 3, Hazard Evaluation and Classification; Z136.1–2022 Safe Use of Lasers, Section 4, Control Measures).

Authority Matters as Much as Expertise

The Z136.1 standard is explicit that the Laser Safety Officer must be given sufficient authority to perform the role effectively (Z136.1–2022 Safe Use of Lasers, Appendix A1, Laser Safety Officer (LSO)).

This authority may include the ability to:

Recommend or require control measures
Review and approve laser procedures
Suspend unsafe laser operations
Escalate concerns to management

Without appropriate authority, even a highly knowledgeable individual cannot function effectively as an LSO. For this reason, the designation of a Laser Safety Officer should be a formal management decision, not an informal assignment.

One LSO or Multiple LSOs?

The standard does not limit an organization to a single Laser Safety Officer. Larger or more complex organizations may designate:

Multiple LSOs for different facilities or departments
A lead LSO supported by deputies or assistants
Application-specific LSOs, such as for medical or research programs

What matters is that responsibilities are clearly defined and coordinated, and that there is no ambiguity about who holds laser safety authority in a given situation.

What the Z136.1 Standard Does Not Require

To avoid common misunderstandings, it is important to note that the Z136.1 standard does not require that a Laser Safety Officer:

Hold a government-issued license
Possess a specific professional certification
Be employed full time in a laser safety role
Come from a particular discipline or department

Instead, the standard focuses on effective oversight, not titles or credentials.

Selecting the Right Laser Safety Officer

When selecting a Laser Safety Officer, organizations should consider:

The class and complexity of lasers in use
The potential for personnel exposure
The operating environment and procedures
The individual’s technical background and experience
Whether the individual has management support and authority

As laser operations evolve, organizations should periodically reassess whether the designated LSO remains appropriate for the level of hazard present.