OTT Offers Training Course on High Powered Lasers in Fibre Optics Communication Systems

The world of telecoms and long haul communications is seeing many developments that are leading to potentially hazardous power levels being deployed, especially with the more widespread adoption of Raman amplfier technology. The Enterprise arena has not been exempt from this issue either and increased power levels mean that for some datacomms users such as in data centre environments then power levels, exceeding class 1 limits, that are not 'intrinsically safe' are being deploted for the first time.

OTT had updated our laser safety training course that deals specifically with the issues of high powered lasers in fibre optics communication systems, in line with the forthcoming publication of the IEC 60825-17 standard that deals specifically with such systems, as well as the new amendment to 60825-2 that updates the guidance for fibre optic communications systems generally. Our Technical Director, Richard Ednay, has also now joined the British Standards Committee that deals with laser safety.

The course is for suitable staff involved with installing, testing and operating fibre optic communications systems and allows employers to demonstrate that personnel have the required level of competence to be authorised users, where relevant, of systems using hazardous lasers. Training is recommended for personnel who may be exposed to hazardous levels of optical power that can occur in long haul, amplified and DWDM systems and may occur in data centre environments. The course also provides a useful reminder of general good working practices with fibre optics and the reasoning behind them.

The Laser Safety and Good Working Practices with Fibre Optics one-day course is available as a company course run on your own premises. If you have a large number of users to train then this programme is also available as a 'train-the-trainer' package with a license to use OTT's course materials and visuals. OTT can also provide a support package to assist laser safety officers to comply with current regulation, including the new European directive on Artificial Optical Radiation.