DAOD 2050-0, Laser Safety

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Policy Direction
3. Consequences
4. Authorities
5. References

1. Introduction

Date of Issue: 2008-02-29

Date of Last Major Modification: 2013-09-26

Application: This DAOD is a directive that applies to employees of the Department of National Defence (DND employees) and an order that applies to officers and non-commissioned members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF members).

Approval Authority: Chief of the Air Force Staff (C Air Force)

Enquiries: Director Air Force Safety Centre (Dir AFSC), National Defence Laser Safety Office (NDLSO), 1 Canadian Air Division Headquarters (1 Cdn Air Div HQ)

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2. Policy Direction

Context

2.1 The DAOD 2050 series applies to all laser devices being procured or operated by the DND or the CAF that:

1. are used in training or operations, including combat, combat training and force-on-force training;
2. are classified in the interest of national security; or
3. have emissions capable of causing harm or damage as a result of exposure to personnel or equipment during normal operation.

2.2 The DAOD 2050 series does not apply to laser devices operated by the DND or the CAF that are used for medical purposes.

Policy Statement

2.3 The DND and the CAF are committed to ensuring that:

1. DND employees, CAF members and members of the public are not exposed to harmful levels of laser radiation; and
2. laser activities within the DND and the CAF are planned, implemented and managed within a safety framework consistent with applicable practices and standards to the extent practicable in a military context.

Requirements

2.4 The DND and the CAF must develop and implement a laser safety programme that:

1. ensures DND employees, CAF members and members of the public are not exposed to harmful levels of laser radiation;
2. provides guidance to prevent or control hazards associated with laser devices;
3. provides for advice to be given on specific laser devices and their intended uses prior to procurement or deployment;
4. creates a process to evaluate and address safety issues associated with laser devices;
5. ensures that laser safety requirements are taken into account during the materiel acquisition and support process; and
6. establishes laser safety training standards.

2.5 The Dir AFSC, NDLSO must notify the C Air Force of any non-compliance with this DAOD.

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3. Consequences

Consequences of Non-Compliance

3.1 Non-compliance with this DAOD may have consequences for both the DND and the CAF as institutions, and for DND employees and CAF members as individuals. Suspected non-compliance will be investigated. The nature and severity of the consequences resulting from actual non-compliance will be commensurate with the circumstances of the non-compliance. Consequences of non-compliance may include one or more of the following:

1. the ordering of the completion of appropriate learning, training or professional development;
2. increased reporting and performance monitoring;
3. the withdrawal of any authority provided under this DAOD to a DND employee or CAF member;
4. the reporting of suspected offences to responsible law enforcement agencies;
5. the liability of Her Majesty in right of Canada;
6. the application of specific consequences as set out in applicable laws, codes of conduct, and DND and CAF policies and instructions; and
7. other administrative or disciplinary action, or both.

Note – In respect of the compliance of DND employees, see the Treasury Board Framework for the Management of Compliance for additional information.

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4. Authorities

Authority Table

4.1 The following table identifies the authorities associated with this DAOD:

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5. References

Acts, Regulations, Central Agency Policies and Policy DAOD

• Radiation Emitting Devices Act
• Protocol on Binding Laser Weapons, (Protocol IV to the 1980 Convention), 13 October 1995
• Framework for the Management of Compliance, Treasury Board

Other References

• DAOD 2007-0, Safety
• DAOD 2050-1, Laser Safety Programme
• DAOD 3000-0, Materiel Acquisition and Support
• DAOD 4002-0, Nuclear Technology Regulation and Control
• A-LM-505-019/JS-001, LCMM Activities Handbook, Chapter 10, Environmental Management
• B-GJ-005-104/FP-021, Law of Armed Conflict at the Operational and Tactical Levels
• C-02-040-002/TS-001, Laser Safety
• CF Health Services Group Instruction 4440-16, Physical Hazards Surveillance Program
• STANAG 3606 ARSP-4, Laser Safety Evaluation for Outdoor Military Environments
• AFSC intranet site