The TALSO [Triangle Area Laser Safety Officers] group met June 9 at Dupont's RTP facility.  Special thanks to Allan Nowak and Dupont for hosting this event.

I. Welcomed new TALSO member Ken Puckett and special guest presenter Bill Ertle

II. Reviewed notes & action items from February 10 Meeting

- A. Sawyer led discussion on impact/effectiveness of laser regulations in other states on addressing laser/aircraft issue.  While a few states have begun tracking class 3b & 4 lasers (similar to the way NC registers X-ray tubes), none appear to address laser/aircraft interaction, which remains a federal issue exclusively.  CRPD is investigating standard laser safety regulations, but these would not address the aircraft issue.  Outdoor laser light show operators must register with FAA, obtain FDA variance, and fax copy of variance to state.

III. Special Guest Presentation by Rockwell Laser Industries' President Bill Ertle:

A. Brief update on ANSI Z136.1 revision:

- major changes include adopting the IEC's seven hazard class designations, downgrading medical surveillance from "shall" to "should", and revision of some pulsed laser calculations; guesstimate final version out maybe late '06 or early '07

- Other standards under revision: .3 [medical] just released (2005); .4 [measurement] just released (2005); .5 [academic] in revision process; .6 [outdoor] in committee; .7 [eyewear, barriers & windows]

- Open invitation: anyone willing to participate is welcome to join ANSI Z136 tech subcommittee 4 (control measures & training), just contact the chair of that committee (Bill Ertle).

- Check the Z136.org web site for updates, etc.

B. Overview: Laser Safety entryway controls

- discussed requirements and some design features for entryway controls

- noted RLI's "Laser Sentry" system

IV. Review of 2005 International Laser Safety Conference [March 7-10, 2005];

- B. Edwards shared his brief impressions

Discussion:

- Many persistent safety misconceptions are started by highly respected scientists who are not subject matter experts; be wary of these persistent urban legends

- Need to impress upon laser users that laser accidents require immediate reporting

V. Any other business

- K. Kretchman noted efforts to incorporate radioactive material nuclide/activity criteria into international fire code

ACTION: K. Kretchman to forward URL for this organization to TALSO

[DONE: see item F205-4/05 on p. F149 of: http://www.iccsafe.org/cs/codes/2004-05cycle/ProposedChanges/Fire-3.pdf]

- W. Ertle noted RLI hosting BALSO web site & graciously offered to host TALSO site should the need arise

ACTION: W. Ertle get TALSO link on BALSO site

VI. Next meeting: 2 PM THURSDAY, 22-SEP-05 at DUPONT; Thanks again to Allan Nowak and Dupont for hosting!

 Thank you for your interest in laser safety.  See you September 22!