procedures for student using laser pointer in class without authorization?

What procedures should a school follow if an unidentified student
in a classroom disruptively and dangerously uses a laser pointer
during a class without authorization from the teacher?

TIA...

 

Whew, I was about to recommend the death penalty...

I'd worry more if the rest of the students jumped from their chairs and
started to chase the spot around the floor.

--
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our customers. Our products just aren't engineered for security."
--Microsoft VP in charge of Windows OS Development, Brian Valentine.

 

If you had read the replies to the same post a while back, probably your
own, you'd not have to ask this again.
How dangerous is a laser guide point as used on a rifle or handgun?
How disruptive can it be?
I'd say it's about as dangerous as a mouse running loose.
Or using a flashlight.

 

Wrong.

The issue is both safety and liability.

You can ignore the safety if that's your belief; you can't ignore
the liability.

Also, if school administration bans the laser but does not provide
teachers with procedures for implementing the ban, it is
in the category of unenforceable rules, and unenforceable rules
invite disruption in the classroom.

If you thought about it for a moment, you would not be so smart
@ssed in your response.

 

The issue is both safety and liability.

As you have been informed, the safety issue is nil. You decide outside of
this forum what level of punishment if any is appropriate.

 

Dear Friend,
Subject: Milli-watt pointers

These lazers are subject to product liability.

If the "pointer" produced severe risk for the eye -- they
simply would not be sold.

The lawsuits would be huge.

The pointer-lazer (diode) is save under that consideration.

High-power lazers (commercial) can in fact burn holes
in you retina. I depends on the power delivered on
the retina.

Best,

Otis
Engineer

 

Hmm. there seems to be some warning about these things.

Laser Pointer Safety
http://www.laserinstitute.org/publications/safety_bulletin/laser_pointer/
http://www.laserinstitute.org/publications/safety_bulletin/govt_regulation/Govt_Regulations.pdf

I guess someone could prove once and for all these things are as
"harmless" as some people make them out to be - and maybe
volunteer to have one of these pointers shined into one of their
eyes for a prolong period of time.

Martin

 

Isn't that like shoving a pencil into a kids eye, then claiming it
proves that pencils are too dangerous for the public to use?

... Erich

 

I think the debate revolves around the word "use" - using a LP
to point out some element of of an image projected during a
powerpoint show isn't going to hurt anyone - same as someone
using a sharpen pencil to write down notes about the what is
being presented. Both activities are what each of the products
were designed for. However, the problem is the "use" of these
products outside the scope of what they were intended for.
Pencils are dangerous when used as a weapon. Diesel fuel is a
very handy thing to use for powering the diesel engines used to
run school buses - fertilizer works great at making the grass on
the football field grow better, but if these two products were
to be used inappropriately - well.. the FBI is most likely going
to want to talk with you about that.

Martin

 

Nobody is going to "stare" into a laser unless they were absolutely
forced to do so with they eyelid held open with a speculum. The
natural reaction would be to immediately avert the gaze from the light
source. Even white light can be toxic to the retinal photoreceptors if
sufficiently bright and prolonged. It's a time and intensity function.

The issue of low power diode laser pointers is one of public perception
and the subsequent reaction (or more precisely, over-reaction) of the
parents of other children in the classroom who would subsequently
descend upon the school administrators like a swarm of mad hornets.

DrG

 

The incident described was a kid using a laser pointer to disrupt a
class. High powered lasers can indeed be dangerous, but common laser
pointers are not a big risk to health. It's just a device for making a
red spot appear on a surface. Handy for presentations, teasing cats and
apparently teachers.

So why are you talking about making bombs from diesel fuel and
fertilizer?

... Erich

 

I don't think that the issue is one of safety, but rather one of
disruption. The disruption may further be compounded by hordes of
irate (albeit grossly misinformed) parents descending upon hapless
school administrators and threats of lawsuits no matter how frivolous.

DrG

 

Because he can?

--
Regards,
Nicolaas.

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.... When you argue with a fool, chances are that the fool you are arguing
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