Using models to improve laser safety training effectiveness

Safety training provides the critical foundation of any laser safety program. However, successfully conveying highly technical and physics-related aspects of laser safety to workers can present a serious challenge. In particular, many biomedical and academic laser users are unfamiliar with photometric principles and terminology. In addition, the public education system in the United States generally provides only limited basic science instruction to most students, so that many target audiences in this country are ill-prepared to understand physics- or math-intensive concepts. The use of illustrative models can help to overcome these inherent laser safety training obstacles. This paper outlines some physical and conceptual models that have proven valuable tools for improving the reception and retention of technical safety information by course attendees.