Ken Barat, Certified Laser Safety Officer at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, will be awarded the 2009 R. James Rockwell, Jr. Educational Achievement Award for exceptional accomplishments in laser safety education at the 2009 International Laser Safety Conference (ILSC®).

For more than two decades, Mr. Barat has dedicated his professional life to bringing the educational message of laser safety to a wider audience. He is described as representing the essential role of laser safety education, which serves to protect the front-line people who work with lasers every day and are at the highest risk.

"With laser safety education as a key component of LIA's mission, we are especially proud to present this award to outstanding leaders and educators in the field," said Peter Baker, Executive Director of LIA. "As a CLSO, instructor, author, consultant, presenter and trainer, Mr. Barat has made significant contributions to laser safety education."

As a published author of textbooks and numerous articles in professional journals, Mr. Barat is a foremost authority on laser safety. Most recently, he published Laser Safety: Tools and Training, Laser Safety Management, and was a contributing author to Medical Applications of Lasers and LIA's Laser Safety Guide (10th Edition). His innovative and appealing public speaking style has earned him the opportunity to travel around the world educating people about laser safety.

In addition to serving as a member of the ANSI Z136 Standards Committee and the LBNL Laser Safety Committee, Mr. Barat has participated in numerous professional societies. Closer to home, he was instrumental in the formation of the Bay Area Laser Safety Officers Society and continues to serve this organization. He is the former LSO for the NIF Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Lab.

Additionally, Mr. Barat played a key role in the proposal for the formal certification of Laser Safety Officers as CLSOs, which is now an exam offered through the Board of Laser Safety.

The R. James Rockwell, Jr. Educational Achievement Award is supported on a biennial basis by LightRay Consulting. Nominations are open to candidates who have made outstanding contributions in laser safety education.