An LPS qualification teaches you the rules. Being a great Laser Protection Supervisor means making sure those rules are actually followed on every treatment, including on a busy Saturday, with a new starter, or when a device throws an error. This guide is for people who already hold an LPS or Laser Safety Officer qualification. It is not a substitute for that training, and your own Local Rules and your Laser Protection Adviser's (LPA) advice always come first.
What the LPS is responsible for
The LPS has day-to-day responsibility for the safe use of the laser or IPL. In practice that means making sure the Local Rules are followed, keeping the register of authorised users up to date, and being the link between the team and the LPA. Your appointment should be in writing and you should be named in the Local Rules.
The role only works if it comes with authority. You should be able to stop a treatment, take a device out of use and refuse to add someone to the register. Know where the role stops, too: treatment protocols come from the Expert Medical Practitioner (EMP), the Local Rules are produced or approved by the LPA, and reactions are referred, not diagnosed.
Build a routine
- Daily: controlled area set up, warning sign in place, key secure, pre-use device checks, correct and undamaged eyewear, every treatment in the register.
- Weekly: spot-check the treatment register and a few client files for consultation, consent and patch test records.
- Monthly: observe each authorised user, audit eyewear and signage, and look for patterns in incidents and near misses.
- Annually: review the Local Rules with your LPA, check servicing is up to date and have users re-read and re-sign. Review sooner after a new device, a room change, a serious incident or a new LPA.
Keep records that stand up
If something goes wrong, your records are your evidence. Every treatment register entry should include the date, client, operator, treatment and area, the settings used and any adverse event. Keep current versions of the Local Rules, risk assessment, registers, protocols, service and training records together, signed and dated, so you can hand them over in minutes if an inspector calls.
Authorise users device by device
Before adding someone to the register, check their qualification and Core of Knowledge, make sure they've been trained on that specific device and sign off supervised treatments, in consultation with your LPA as your Local Rules set out. Being authorised on one device doesn't mean being authorised on another.
When something goes wrong
Whether it's a device fault, a colleague walking into the controlled area without eyewear, or pressure to skip a patch test, the same four steps apply: stop, make safe, record, escalate. A device that faults is labelled "Do not use" and taken out of service until it's cleared. Any possible eye exposure needs urgent assessment at an eye casualty or A&E.
Build a safety culture
The best LPSs run teams that tell them things. Make near-miss reporting normal, never punish someone for speaking up, follow every rule yourself, and share what you learn from incidents.
The LPS Masterclass
Our LPS Masterclass goes further, with ten real scenarios and exactly how to handle each one. It's a 12-minute video, a 15-question quiz and a certificate of completion, for £49. It's for people who already hold an LPS or LSO qualification and is not an LPS qualification itself.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a qualification?
No. It's a knowledge masterclass with a certificate of completion. It does not qualify anyone to act as a Laser Protection Supervisor.
Who is it for?
People who have already completed an LPS or LSO course, such as a Level 5 LPS qualification, and clinic owners or managers developing an LPS in their team.
Does it replace my Local Rules?
No. Your Local Rules, risk assessment and your LPA's advice always come first.
New to the role? Start with our guide: What is a Laser Protection Supervisor (LPS)?