Laser Safety Awareness
Understand the hazards of laser beams and laser protection in order to meet the legal requirements for laser safety training.
Duration
3 weeksWeekly study
2 hours
Laser Safety Awareness
Learn how to safely use laser technology
There are many misconceptions surrounding lasers. This, paired with the ease in which they are available, can easily lead to damage that can become permanent very quickly.
On this three-week course, you’ll explore the risks that need to be considered when working in a laser environment and understand how to safely protect yourself and others.
You’ll discover essential tools and gain critical thinking skills to work within a safe environment that protects you, your employees, and your premises.
Understand the hazards of laser radiation
You’ll develop basic laser knowledge as you explore the formation of a laser, and the parts of the electromagnetic spectrum and associated wavelengths.
With this knowledge, you’ll understand laser beam hazards and the different types of injury a laser can cause. You’ll be able to explain how a laser damages the eye and skin in different ways and learn to identify where protection is needed.
Understand the characteristics and key vocabulary of laser safety
You’ll learn to define the properties and characteristics of a laser using key vocabulary. This knowledge will help you better communicate laser safety to others.
Learn from the experts at UKHSA
Finally, you’ll explore legislation, guidance, and legal requirements to help protect employees and premises. You’ll also learn how to use engineering controls to keep exposure below the legal limits.
Guided by the experts at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), you’ll finish the course with the ability to control risk and manage laser work safely and efficiently.
What topics will you cover?
- Basic Laser knowledge
- Characteristics of lasers
- Laser beam hazards
- Protection systems
- Laser classification
- Legislation and guidance
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Describe the main characteristics of a laser beam.
- Evaluate the different hazards and dangers from lasers.
- Explain the precautions that can be taken to protect yourself and others
- Identify the different classes of lasers and their properties.
Who is the course for?
This course is designed for anyone involved in using laser technology. You could be a student or professional looking to develop your understanding of laser safety.
Who will you learn with?
I'm the Group Leader of Training for Radiation Protection Services at UKHSA & a qualified Physics Teacher which, combined with UKHSAs experienced LPAs has allowed me to create this high quality course
Who developed the course?
UK Health Security Agency
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is responsible for planning, preventing and responding to external health threats by providing intellectual, scientific and operational leadership at national and local level, as well as on the global stage. UKHSA is an executive agency, sponsored by the Department of Health and Social Care.
What's included?
This is a premium course. These courses are designed for professionals from specific industries looking to learn with a smaller group of like-minded individuals.
- Unlimited access to this course
- Includes any articles, videos, peer reviews and quizzes
- Certificate of Achievement to prove your success when you're eligible
- Download and print your Certificate of Achievement anytime
Still want to know more? Check out our FAQs
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn
Get a taste of this course
Find out what this course is like by previewing some of the course steps before you join:
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