Course: Laser Core of Knowledge (Laser and IPL Safety) LPA Approved

This course is designed to develop the reader's knowledge of laser, IPL and LED delivery systems and optical radiation-tissue interactions. It will cover safety, hazards, risk assessments and practical considerations known as the “Core of Knowledge”. This is the minimum standard of training for authorised users, with refresher training to be completed at least every five years.

It includes equipment used in conjunction with optical radiation equipment, such as optical fibres, contact tips, articulated arms etc. It excludes non-laser, non-IPL and UV treatment sources.

This course is suitable for:

• Healthcare professionals (e.g. doctors, surgeons, nurses and dentists using lasers, IPL and LEDs)
• Beauty therapists that provide laser/ IPL treatments
• Laser protection advisers, officers, and supervisors
• Tattoo artists/ assistants using a laser to remove tattoos
• Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) and other regulators who visit establishments which use laser/ IPLs
• Any other professionals who need to understand these devices

The course consists of three modules, each with a quiz to assess your overall knowledge and application of the course content. There is a 75% pass mark you need to achieve to be certified.

Course Contents:

• Module 1: Laser and Light Technologies
  • What is a Laser?
  • The Components of a Laser
  • Laser Classification and details
  • Categories of Active Medium
  • Laser Output and Emission Modes
  • Light and Electromagnetic Radiation
  • Optical Radiation
  • Understanding Wavelengths
  • Sir Isaac Newton's Theory of Light
  • Selective Photothermolysis
  • Ablative Lasers
  • Non-ablative Lasers
  • Understanding Photons
  • Ionising / Non-ionising
  • Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
  • IPL and Xenon
  • Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)
  • Laser Applications
  • Clinical Laser Applications
  • Laser Delivery Systems
• Module 2: Risk Assessments, Hazards and Safety
  • Risk assessments
  • HSE 5 Step Method
  • The 4 Areas of a Risk Assessment
  • Hazard Controls
  • List of Equipment Features
  • Hazards
    • Electrical Hazards
    • Health Hazards
    • Mechanical, Biological and Chemical Hazards
    • Beam Hazards
  • Optical Radiation Effects on Tissue
  • Laser Plume Emissions
  • Reflections
  • Fire Prevention
  • Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE)
  • Aiming Beams
  • Conducting a Beam Alignment
  • Reporting Incidents
• Module 3: Safety Legislation, Measures and Management
  • Equipment Management and Legislation
  • Treatment Protocols and Optical Radiation Safety Policy
  • Quality Assurance and Equipment Checks
  • The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at Work Regulations 1992
  • Types of PPE
  • British Standards, European Standards and ISO Standards
  • Other Regulations
  • Local Rules
  • Labelling
  • Access and Control
  • Warning Signs
  • Assessment
  • The Cosmetic Practice Standards Authority (CPSA) Lipled
  • Official Roles in Safety Management

Disclaimer: This course provides detailed information on the “Core of Knowledge”, but this should never replace technical information or local rules provided by your establishment. Please ensure you remain up-to-date with your local procedures and equipment.

This course is LPA Approved.