Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit covers the competency required to develop laser safety plans  and procedures.

The unit includes identifying, evaluating and overseeing the control of laser hazards; developing laser safety papers and templates; providing technical advice on laser safety; developing and drafting laser safety policy, procedures and instructions; and preparing the selection of laser safety controls, labels and signage.

Application of the Unit 

The application of this unit in the workplace - the environments, complexities and situations involved - will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.

This text will be useful for the purposes of job descriptions, recruitment advice or job analysis; where possible, it will not be too job specific to allow other industries to import it into other Training Packages, where feasible.

Prerequisite Unit /s 

Nil

Employability Skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a Unit of Competency.

Performance Criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the Required Skills and Knowledge and/or the Range Statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the Evidence Guide.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare for the development of laser safety plans 

1.1 Laser sources are identified and confirmed in accordance with organisational policy and procedures 

1.2 Standards and legislation  appropriate to lasers are identified and accessed

1.3 Existing organisational records  relevant to laser equipment are identified and accessed

1.4 Equipment and resources  required for the assessment of laser equipment are identified, acquired and prepared  in accordance with organisational procedures

1.5 Occupational health and safety  (OH &S ) requirements  including those contained in organisation procedures, are applied throughout the operation

2. Assess laser hazards 

2.1 Laser classifications  are verified in accordance with legislative requirements, safety standards and organisational policy and procedures

2.2 Maximum permissible exposures of continuous wave and repetitively pulsed lasers are evaluated in accordance with legislative requirements, safety standards and organisational policy and procedures

2.3 Laser hazards  are identified in accordance with legislative requirements, safety standards and organisational policy and procedures

2.4 Laser hazard environments  are assessed in accordance with legislative requirements, safety standards and organisational policy and procedures

3. Develop laser safety plans 

3.1 Appropriate consultation with stakeholders  is conducted in accordance with organisational policy and procedures

3.2 Technical standards, organisational environmental requirements and laser exposure levels are identified and interpreted

3.3 Laser safety plans are developed in accordance with legislative requirements and organisational policy and procedures

3.4 Laser safety plans are forwarded to the relevant authority in accordance with organisational policy and procedures

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required Skills 

• apply complex mathematical processes
• communicate effectively
• conduct research
• provide technical advice
• write technical reports

Required Knowledge 

• characteristics of lasers including the types of lasers and the fundamentals of laser operation
• laser environment
• organisational policy and procedures relevant to laser operations
• relevant Australian and international standards
• report writing

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

Assessment must confirm the ability to identify applicable hazards and to provide safe and practical policy, procedures and instructions that counter these hazards in the work environment for operators of lasers and others working in an environment where lasers may be encountered.

Consistency in performance 

Competency should be demonstrated over a range of laser types. This may be in training or an operational setting.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Context of assessment 

Competency should be assessed in relation to policy and/or instructions/advice provided in accordance with all relevant legislation and workplace requirements.

Specific resources for assessment 

Access to research material, manufacturers' equipment specifications and existing related policy and instructions.

Guidance information for assessment 

Information that will assist or guide assessment will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The Range Statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised  wording in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.

Laser safety plans may include 

Laser templates

Monitoring processes

Nominal ocular hazard area/s (NOHA)

Protocols and local controls

Recommendations for additional control measures

Reference to laser operating limitations such as power output, length of time/burst, number of repeat exposures

Reference to protective measures, such as governing the use of binoculars or observing the source

Referrals to other experts

Requirement for special optical components/filters, clothing or equipment

Organisational policy and procedures may include 

Equipment manufacturers' specifications

Previous testing reports

Risk assessments

Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs)

Standards and legislation may include 

Australian Regulation Protection and Nuclear Safety Authority (ARPANSA) requirements

Relevant Australian and international standards

State/territory/commonwealth legislation

Organisational records may include 

Electronic records

Inventories

Journals

Registers

Equipment and resources may include 

Gauges

Laser measuring instruments

Recording devices

Preparation of equipment and resources may include 

Calibration of testing equipment

Testing equipment for safe operation (confidence testing)

Testing equipment for serviceability

Occupational health and safety requirements may include 

Award provisions

State/territory/commonwealth and local government legislation and by-laws

Laser classifications may include 

Confirmation of calculations to determine the classification of a laser in accordance with Australian and international laser safety standards (such as contained in AS/NZ 2211.1:1997)

Reference to guidance on the applicability of international laser safety standards based on guidance and advice issued by ARPANSA

Laser hazards may include 

Extended source viewing

Point source and intra-beam viewing

Specular reflections

Use of magnifying optics

Laser hazard environments may include 

Climatic and weather variations

Geographical and geological variations

Laboratories

Operation and training field environments including land, sea (above and below water level), air and space

Variations due to vegetation

Stakeholders may include 

External agencies

Government/agency regulators/inspectors

Immediate supervisors

Internal agencies

OH&S representatives

Other interested parties, including members of the public

Relevant personnel in the chain of command

Unit managers

Co-requisite Unit /s 

Nil