Applies to: All NCD staff operating or assisting with Class 3B/4 lasers in the Laser Room.

1) Purpose

Ensure safe, compliant, and effective use of Fotona SP Dynamis and StarWalker MaQX in line with AS/NZS 4173, ARPANSA guidance, and NSW WHS requirements — covering governance, room controls, PPE, plume control, patient protection, documentation and incident response. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

2) Scope & Devices

Fotona SP Dynamis — Er:YAG 2940 nm (ablative/non-ablative) + Nd:YAG 1064 nm. Fotona StarWalker MaQX — QS Nd:YAG 1064/532 nm with dye 585/650 nm. Both Class 4. Jurisdiction NSW WHS oversight. ^{6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14}

3) Roles & Training

Clinic Director: compliance & incident reporting. LSO: maintains safety program. Operators: trained clinicians with competency logs. Assistants: briefed on hazards, eyewear, plume & emergency. ^{1 2 3 5}

4) Controlled Area & Engineering Controls

Dedicated laser room with Class 4 controls: signage, access control, fire safety. Manufacturer controls per IFU. ^{1 5 6 7 9 15 16 17}

5) Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Laser eyewear matched to wavelength/OD. Skin protection: gloves, non-flammable drapes. Respiratory protection per AS/NZS 1715:2009 with fit-testing. ^{1 5 10 16 17}

6) Surgical/Procedural Plume Control

Local evacuation with ULPA/activated carbon filters. Risk assessment documented. Aim for smoke-free theatre principles. ^{18 19 20 21}

7) Patient Safety & Clinical Protocol Basics

Pre-treatment: history, photos, test spots, consent. Eye protection mandatory. Skin prep non-flammable. Documented parameters per IFUs. Aftercare: SPF, reviews. ^{1 6 7 8 9 12 13 16 17}

8) Signage, Documentation & Equipment Checks

Class 4 signage at door. Daily laser log. Regular servicing and calibration. ^{1 5 6 7 9 16 17}

9) Incident/Exposure Response

Eye exposure: urgent ophthalmology. Skin burns: first aid, medical review. Plume/RPE failures: remove exposure, medical review, re-fit-test before return. ^{1 5 11 15 18 19 21}

10) Governance & Compliance

Operate under AS/NZS 4173:2018, ARPANSA, NSW WHS. Maintain evidence for audits (training, maintenance, logs, consent). ^{1 2 3 4}

Sources

1. AS/NZS 4173:2018 Safe use of lasers and intense light sources in health care. Standards Australia/NZ. Available here, viewed 8 October 2025, https://store.standards.org.au/product/as-nzs-4173-2018 ↩︎
2. ARPANSA (2024). Advice for providers: Lasers, IPL and LED for cosmetic purposes. Available here, viewed 8 October 2025, https://www.arpansa.gov.au ↩︎
3. ARPANSA (2024). Lasers, IPL sources and LED phototherapy in the cosmetic and beauty industry. Available here, viewed 8 October 2025, https://www.arpansa.gov.au ↩︎
4. NSW Government (SafeWork/EPA). Information on lasers in workplaces. Available here, viewed 8 October 2025, https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au ↩︎
5. Safe Work Australia. Laser classifications and general duties. Available here, viewed 8 October 2025, https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au ↩︎
6. Fotona. SP Dynamis — product overview. Available here, viewed 8 October 2025, https://www.fotona.com/en/products/2027/sp-dynamis/ ↩︎
7. Fotona. Dynamis Pro brochure. Available here, viewed 8 October 2025, https://simplebooklet.com/fotonaspdynamis ↩︎
8. Fotona. Dynamis Pro — technical details. Available here, viewed 8 October 2025, https://www.fotona.com/us/product/fotona-sp-dynamis-pro/ ↩︎
9. Fotona. StarWalker MaQX brochure. Available here, viewed 8 October 2025, https://www.fotona.com/media/documents/aesthetics/brochures/97370_starwalker_maqx___qx_brochure_web.pdf ↩︎
10. ARPANSA. Laser classes and hazards (non-ionising radiation). Available here, viewed 8 October 2025, https://www.arpansa.gov.au ↩︎
11. Innovative Medical Technologies (AU). SP Dynamis Pro (Australia). Available here, viewed 8 October 2025, https://innovative.com.au/ ↩︎
12. Clarion Medical. StarWalker overview. Available here, viewed 8 October 2025, https://www.clarionmedical.com ↩︎
13. Fotona. SP Dynamis technical page. Available here, viewed 8 October 2025, https://www.fotona.com ↩︎
14. MedicalExpo. StarWalker MaQX product listing. Available here, viewed 8 October 2025, https://www.medicalexpo.com ↩︎
15. UNSW Safety. Laser safety hazards. Available here, viewed 8 October 2025, https://safety.unsw.edu.au ↩︎
16. AS/NZS 1715:2009. Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment. Available here, viewed 8 October 2025, https://store.standards.org.au/product/as-nzs-1715-2009 ↩︎
17. RESP-FIT/Standards Australia (2023). Fit-testing & respirators guidance. Available here, viewed 8 October 2025, https://respfit.org.au ↩︎
18. NSW Health (2023). GL2023_018: Controlling Exposure to Surgical Plume. Available here, viewed 8 October 2025, https://www.health.nsw.gov.au ↩︎
19. WorkSafe Victoria. Managing surgical plume in healthcare. Available here, viewed 8 October 2025, https://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au ↩︎
20. WA Health. Surgical Smoke/Plume Procedure. Available here, viewed 8 October 2025, https://wacountry.health.wa.gov.au ↩︎
21. Bravura Education. Why every operating theatre should be smoke-free. Available here, viewed 8 October 2025, https://www.bravura.edu.au ↩︎