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FAQ & General Notes - Lasers |
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The following information is relevant for those with requirements to use high powered lasers in the course of their business. The term “Laser” used in this document refers to high powered lasers prescribed under the Radiation Safety Act as Class3B (greater than 5mW in power output) and Class 4 lasers. |
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The use of high powered lasers in Western Australia requires that certain conditions be met: |
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What are the safety criteria for lasers in Western Australia? I want to use a laser in an industrial or entertainment application, what do I need to do? I am a medical practitioner can I use lasers at my practice? I am a dentist can I use lasers at my practice? I am a physiotherapist can I use lasers at my practice? I am a chiropractor can I use lasers at my practice? Are laser pointers legal in Western Australia? I am considering selling lasers in WA, are there any rules I must follow? I am considering servicing lasers in WA, do I need a licence? I am considering purchasing a laser from outside of the state, what must I do? I am considering bringing a laser into WA for a one off event, do I need a registration? I have a laser, is the AS/NZ 2211 : 2004 National Standard applicable to me? Where can I obtain a copy of the Radiation Safety (General) Regulations? General notes and links on Lasers (License and Registration forms in PDF format) |
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What are the safety criteria for lasers in Western Australia?: All lasers in Western Australia must comply with the requirements of the Australian Standard AS2211.1. All users of lasers in Western Australia must comply with the requirements of the Radiation Safety Act and Radiation Safety (General) Regulations. |
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I want to use a laser in an industrial or entertainment application, what do I need to do?: Before the laser can be used it must be registered by the owner within 14 days of taking possession of the laser. If it is not already registered, you need to send registration forms to the Radiological Council that list all laser equipment that you intend to use or store at your work place or site location. If it is the first time that equipment is being registered, please also submit relevant technical details of the laser such as the type of laser, wavelength, power output, pulse duration (etc). All work places or site locations will require a Laser Safety Officer (LSO) to be nominated. To operate high powered lasers, you must possess a licence under the Radiation Safety Act or be acting under the supervision of a licensee (click here to obtain licence application forms). Applicants for licence must:- 1. attend a laser safety course approved by the Council. 2. pass an examination for industrial lasers conducted by the Council and achieve a minimum 65%. Applicants for LSO must achieve a minimum 75%. |
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I am a medical practitioner can I use lasers at my practice?: Yes, under certain conditions; licensed medical practitioners can operate lasers up to Class 4. All laser equipment must be registered at the practice that it is to be used or stored. All practices will require a Laser Safety Officer (LSO) to be nominated. To operate the laser, you must possess a licence under the Radiation Safety Act or be acting under the supervision of a licensee (click here to obtain licence application forms). Applicants for licence must:- 1. attend a laser safety course approved by the Council. 2. be medical practitioners registered under the Medical Act. Note: Applicants for LSO who are not medial practitioners must also pass an examination following the course and achieve a minimum 75%. |
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I am a dentist can I use lasers at my practice?: Yes, under certain conditions; licensed dentists can operate lasers up to Class 4. All laser equipment must be registered at the practice that it is to be used or stored. All practices will require a Laser Safety Officer (LSO) to be nominated. To operate the laser, you must possess a licence under the Radiation Safety Act or be acting under the supervision of a licensee (click here to obtain licence application forms). To obtain a licence, applicants must:- 1. attend a laser safety course approved by the Council. 2. be dental practitioners registered under the Dental Act.. |
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I am a physiotherapist can I use lasers at my practice?: Yes, under certain conditions; licensed physiotherapists are restricted to operating lasers not exceeding 50 mW in output power. All laser equipment must be registered at the practice that it is to be used or stored. All practices will require a Laser Safety Officer (LSO) to be nominated. To operate the laser, you must possess a licence under the Radiation Safety Act or be acting under the supervision of a licensee (click here to obtain licence application forms). Applicants for licence must:- |
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I am a chiropractor can I use lasers at my practice?: Yes, under certain conditions; licensed chiropractors are restricted to operating lasers not exceeding 50 mW in output power. All laser equipment must be registered at the practice that it is to be used or stored. All practices will require a Laser Safety Officer (LSO) to be nominated. To operate the laser, you must possess a licence under the Radiation Safety Act or be acting under the supervision of a licensee (click here to obtain licence application forms). Applicants for licence must:- 1. attend a laser safety course approved by the Council. 2. be registered under the Chiropractors Registration Act. |
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I am a dentist/medical practitioner who already possesses a Registration for x-ray equipment, do I need another registration for lasers?: No, you simply need to send in writing, addressed to the Secretary of the Radiological Council, a letter (or Fax) with the details (Serial number, Manufacturer, Model, Power Output, and Laser Classification) of the laser and request that your existing registration be amended to include these details. In order for your request to be processed we require someone at the practice to hold an appropriate laser licence and also someone should be nominated as Laser Safety Officer LSO.
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Are laser pointers legal in Western Australia?: All lasers (including laser pointers) in Western Australia must comply with the Australian Standard AS2211; this includes both correct labelling and classification. Any laser pointer in Western Australia of power output greater than 1mW should not be used or possessed by members of the general public. If you are uncertain of the power output of a laser pointer, please contact the Radiological Council for assistance. For further information on laser pointers follow the link to the International Commission for Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) web site : http://www.icnirp.org/pubOptical.htm. |
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I am considering selling lasers in WA, are there any rules I must follow?: Yes, you must have a licence to sell high powered lasers in WA. You may also require a registration if you intend to store any lasers on site in Western Australia. Please see Sale of Lasers for more information. If you plan to use the laser, even if for demonstration purposes only, you must also nominate a Laser Safety Officer (LSO). Additionally you must also:- 1. Notify the Council in writing specifying the name and address given by the purchaser and particulars of the relevant licence or exemption. 2. Check to ensure that the purchaser produces evidence that he is the holder of a licence or exemption granted under the Act.
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I am considering servicing lasers in WA, do I need a licence?: Yes, you must have a laser licence to service Laser equipment, and : 1. attend a laser safety course approved by the Council. 2. pass an examination conducted by the Council and achieve a minimum 65%. Applicants for Laser Safety Officer (LSO) must achieve a minimum 75%. |
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I am considering purchasing a laser from outside of the state, what must I do?: A person who purchases from any other person outside WA, a laser which is intended for use in WA, must: 1. Notify the Council in writing as soon as practical. 2. Make an application to the Council for the registration of that laser. |
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I am considering bringing a high powered laser into WA for a one off event, do I need a registration?: Yes, however alternatively you may choose to obtain a temporary permit for registration which will also nominate a Laser Safety Officer (LSO). Site design and safety recommendations can only be performed by a licensee or persons acting under the supervision of the licensee. |
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I have a laser. I would like to know if the AS/NZ 2211 : 2004 National Standard applicable to me?: Yes, you must comply with all aspects of the Australian National Standard. For a copy of the Standard please follow the link below: http://www.standards.com.au/catalogue/ or go to http://www.standards.com.au and type “2211” in the search box. |
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I have been informed that my Class 4 Laser doesn’t need registering because it is a Class 1 Laser Product, is this true?: No, you must register the laser and have a licence to operate it. During servicing conditions it may be necessary to remove the housing and disable safety interlocks. Under these circumstances the laser becomes a Class 4 hazard, and will require the knowledge of a Laser Safety Officer (LSO) to ensure appropriate safety procedures are followed. |
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Where can I obtain a copy of the Radiation Safety (General) Regulations?: You can obtain copies in pdf format of all government Acts/Regulations from the State Law Publisher, follow the links below: http://www.slp.wa.gov.au/statutes/regs.nsf or http://www.slp.wa.gov.au and search for the Regulation/Act you require. |
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Where can I obtain a Safe Code of Practice Guide to using Lasers in schools?: From ARPANSA’s web site, follow the link below to download a pdf version of Code number 36: |
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Where can I obtain a Safe Code of Practice Guide to using Lasers in entertainment?: From ARPANSA’s web site, follow the link below to download a pdf version of Code number 37: |
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General notes and links on Lasers:
Follow the links below to obtain PDF versions of the forms and Fee Schedules:
Licence application forms and fee schedules Registration application forms and fee schedules
Temporary Licence application form Temporary Registration application form
Note 1: When applying for licences and registrations, it is important to include all the relevant details of the equipment to register, and proof of any courses attended, or qualifications (i.e. members of any professional bodies relevant to the application). Note 2: Lasers classified as 3B which are under 5 mW in power do not need to be registered. (This includes Class 3R lasers which operate in the visible part of the spectrum 400-700nm). |
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Radiological Council recognised Laser Safety Course’s: Courses are run frequently throughout the year, for information on the next available course please: Click here to view contact details of laser course providers |
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Examination Information: Laser Safety Examinations are open book. The use of AS2211.1 laser safety standard is recommended during the examination. The following excerpt taken from the Radiation Safety Act and Radiation Safety (General) Regulations including Schedules XIII and XIV (Click here for further information) may be helpful. Examinations are held by appointment at: Radiation Health Branch Environmental Health Directorate 18, Verdun St. NEDLANDS WA 6009 Tel : 08 9346 2260 Fax: 08 9381 1423 |
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If further information is required, please contact a Radiological Council officer on 9346 2260. |
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