Ken Barat, an award-winning laser safety consultant, discusses the importance of laser safety and his career in the field. Barat emphasizes the potential dangers of lasers if not handled properly, highlighting the risk to skin and eyes. He explains how he transitioned from inorganic chemistry to nuclear medicine and eventually became a laser safety officer. Barat shares that his most significant career step was taking over the laser/non-ionizing radiation program at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), where he worked on developing their laser safety program. He believes that cooperation and collaboration with researchers are key in developing safety solutions that support scientific goals. Barat also mentions some of the major science projects and facilities he has been involved in, such as the Human Genome Project and LIGO. He stresses the importance of laser safety professionals working with users to develop safety controls and procedures while allowing laser work to take place. Barat encourages continuous learning and emphasizes the three phases of laser safety in one's career: on-the-job training, obtaining more experience, and mentoring others. He discusses the challenges of ensuring compliance with safety rules and the need for better training and mentoring. Barat advises laser safety professionals to attend group meetings and join professional society chapters to gain insights and understanding of control measures in laser safety.
Fri, 07 Jul 2023 10:00:00 GMT | Optics & Photonics News