OSHA, LIA renew laser safety partnership

The Laser Institute of America (LIA) and the US Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have inked a two-year renewal to their alliance begun in August 2005, to emphasize laser safety with employees and employers, addressing preventing exposure to beam and nonbeam hazards in the workplace.

Outreach and communication goals include:

• Develop information on the recognition and prevention of workplace hazards, and to develop ways of communicating such information -- e.g., print and electronic media, electronic assistance tools, and respective LIA's Web sites


• Speak, exhibit, or appear at OSHA's or LIA's conferences, local meetings, or other laser safety training events such as LIA's International Laser Safety conference. [Look up a regional LIA training event near you on ILS Events Calendar.]


• Share information among OSHA personnel and industry safety and health professionals regarding LIA's good practices or effective approaches through various forums (training programs, workshops, seminars, and lectures)


• Work with other Alliance participants on specific issues and projects on laser safety that are addressed and developed through the Alliance Program.

An implementation team made up of representatives of each organization will meet to develop a plan of action, determine working procedures, and identify the roles and responsibilities of the participants. They will meet at least three times per year to track and share information on activities and results in achieving the goals of the Alliance.