❓ Question regarding the ban on high-powered laser pointers and actions taken to inform relevant parties, including schools and the federal government, about the dangers and the ban.
AnsweredQoN 855Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
855. Ms McHALE to the Minister for Health:
I refer to the ban on laser pointers above class 3 and ask -
I refer to the ban on laser pointers above class 3 and ask -
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 November 2000
Response time
27 days
The Minister Replied:
(a) Letters explaining the dangers of laser pointers, ban on the possession and use of these devices were sent to the Education Department, the Association for Independent Schools and the Catholic Education Centre in February 2000.
(b) The letters informed of the ban on laser pointers in excess of Class 2. A circular was included with the letter and it was recommended that the circular be sent to all the schools within their jurisdiction.
(c) Not applicable.
(d) The Minister for Health announced the prohibition at a press conference on 3 January 2000. The announcement was followed up by an advertisement in the West Australian on 8 January 2000.
(e) Following the announcement of the ban in Western Australia (WA), the Radiological Council of WA wrote to Dr Michael Wooldridge, Federal Minister for Health, requesting him to consider banning the use of these devices. WA has also raised the issue at the national forum, the Radiation Health Committee (RHC). RHC plays a key role in the development of national policies, standards/guidelines and codes of practice for protection of the population from radiation hazards, and with national uniformity of radiation control. The RHC recently supported a national ban on the importation of laser pointers above Class 2 with provisions for exceptional circumstances. It is going to provide advice on the most practical way of achieving such a ban.
(a) Letters explaining the dangers of laser pointers, ban on the possession and use of these devices were sent to the Education Department, the Association for Independent Schools and the Catholic Education Centre in February 2000.
(b) The letters informed of the ban on laser pointers in excess of Class 2. A circular was included with the letter and it was recommended that the circular be sent to all the schools within their jurisdiction.
(c) Not applicable.
(d) The Minister for Health announced the prohibition at a press conference on 3 January 2000. The announcement was followed up by an advertisement in the West Australian on 8 January 2000.
(e) Following the announcement of the ban in Western Australia (WA), the Radiological Council of WA wrote to Dr Michael Wooldridge, Federal Minister for Health, requesting him to consider banning the use of these devices. WA has also raised the issue at the national forum, the Radiation Health Committee (RHC). RHC plays a key role in the development of national policies, standards/guidelines and codes of practice for protection of the population from radiation hazards, and with national uniformity of radiation control. The RHC recently supported a national ban on the importation of laser pointers above Class 2 with provisions for exceptional circumstances. It is going to provide advice on the most practical way of achieving such a ban.
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