All laser laboratories will be inspected annually by the DMPRS to ensure compliance with applicable safety and regulatory standards. Laboratories with Class 4 lasers in active use will be inspected twice a year.
Inspections
Inspections may be unannounced or scheduled in advance with the Permit Holder. Inspection reports will be sent to Permit Holders and findings will be reviewed by the LSS. All required corrective actions will be conveyed in writing to the Permit Holder.
Enforcement
Upon approval of the LSO or qualified designee, inspection findings and summaries will be presented to the LSS. Any comment or corrective actions brought by the LSS will be communicated to Permit Holder.
The LSO and/ or LSS have the authority to immediately stop operations posing imminent serious safety hazards.
To ensure safety and regulatory compliance the LSO and LSS may issue “Finding,” “Warning,” and “Suspension” notices to the Permit Holder.
Finding
Upon observation of deficiency, the LSO will notify the Permit Holder. A FINDING notice will be issued and contain a description of the infraction and will set a date by which corrective measures must be completed.
Warning
If the Permit Holder fails to provide a satisfactory response to a FINDING as described above or if the same violation is repeated, the Permit Holder will be issued a WARNING. The WARNING will set a date by which corrective steps must be completed and will state that the permit will be suspended if corrective measures are not completed by that date.
A copy of the WARNING will also be sent to the Chairman of the Department and LSS.
Suspension
If the Permit Holder fails to perform the required corrective actions or submit a written response to the LSO, prior to the due date previously set by the WARNING; a letter of SUSPENSION of operations will be issued. The LSS has been empowered to temporarily suspend or permanently revoke a laser permit.
Upon suspension of permit, all users listed on the permit will be prohibited from activities utilizing laser systems and locations detailed on the suspended permit. Laser privileges for the Permit Holder and Laser Users can be reinstated when the LSS determines that effective corrective action has been implemented.