Laser Safety Consultancy for Hospitals: Understanding Roles, Responsibilities & Best Practice
Legal Responsibilities Under SI 176 (2010) and the Artificial Optical Radiation Directive (AORD)
Laser Safety Consultancy for Hospitals plays a key role in helping healthcare providers understand their responsibilities under Irish health and safety law. Employers in healthcare settings, including hospitals, have clear duties under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act (2005) and SI No. 176/2010: the General Application of Regulations for the Control of Artificial Optical Radiation. This includes:
- Providing a safe working environment and systems of work
- Ensuring that risks are assessed and controlled
- Ensuring staff are trained and informed
- Protecting patients and visitors as well as employees
For hospitals using lasers, this means implementing control measures to reduce risk from artificial optical radiation (AOR). The Control of Artificial Optical Radiation at Work Regulations (AORD) states that a risk assessment is mandatory and should evaluate exposure against Exposure Limit Values (ELVs) to the eye and skin.
Risk Assessments: A Legal Requirement
Hospitals must undertake a suitable and sufficient risk assessment before lasers are used clinically.
This includes:
- Identifying all potential hazards (equipment, environment, procedures, personnel)
- Assessing exposure risk for each user group (e.g. clinicians, nursing staff
- Recommending control measures and protective equipment
- Reviewing regularly or when changes occur (e.g. new equipment, location, treatment protocols)
Risk assessments should be carried out by someone with appropriate expertise in laser safety such as a Laser Protection Adviser (LPA) with clinical and technical experience.
Managing Laser Safety in Hospitals
Laser safety in hospitals is typically governed by the Health and Safety Committee. In hospitals with multiple lasers or where future growth in laser use is expected, a dedicated Laser Safety Committee may be formed. This committee is responsible for developing and overseeing the Laser Safety Policy and ensuring compliance with all relevant standards and legislation.
The hospital’s Laser Safety Policy should outline:
- Governance structure for laser safety
- Roles and responsibilities Laser Protection Adviser (LPA), Laser Protection Supervisor (LPS), Authorised Users)
- Local Rules for each device and clinical area
- Incident reporting and audit procedures
- Risk assessment and training requirements
Appointing Key Roles
Several key roles support safe laser use in hospitals:
- The Employer
The hospital board or executive holds overall responsibility for safety. They are responsible for appointing appropriate persons, ensuring systems are in place, and that all staff are trained and supervised.
- Laser Protection Adviser (LPA)
An LPA is a recognised expert in laser safety. In hospitals, the LPA provides:
- Specialist advice during risk assessments
- Guidance on room setup, signage, and safety controls
- Support with drafting or reviewing Local Rules
- Training recommendations and assistance with competency review
- Periodic audits and reviews of the laser safety programme
The LPA supports the employer and designated staff in developing and maintaining the hospital’s laser safety programme, providing independent expertise and advice as required. This arrangement ensures that hospitals have access to the level of competence recommended by guidance such as EN 60825-14 and the MHRA Laser Guidance, particularly where internal resources or experience may be limited.
- Laser Protection Supervisor (LPS)
In hospitals, the day-to-day responsibilities are usually delegated to the Laser Protection Supervisor, rather than a Laser Safety Officer (LSO). This distinction is made clear in the MHRA guidance.
The LPS:
- Oversees compliance with Local Rules in clinical departments
- Maintains the register of authorised users
- Ensures pre-use safety checks and staff training compliance
- Liaises regularly with the LPA and senior management
- Reports and documents adverse incidents or near misses
A deputy LPS should be appointed in the LPS’s absence.
Laser Safety Consultancy for Hospitals: Supporting Staff Through Training and Clear Systems
One of the most common safety concerns raised by hospital staff is a lack of training and clarity around laser use. All personnel involved, from clinicians to assisting staff should receive training tailored to their role. For Authorised Users this includes:
- Core of Knowledge training
- Device-specific training
- Procedural/clinical training, signed off by a Clinical Expert
For assisting staff this includes laser safety awareness training.
A register of authorised users must be in place and updated regularly.
Laser Safety Consultancy for Hospitals: Strengthening Your Laser Safety Programme
Hospitals often encounter difficulties in establishing or maintaining a fully compliant laser safety system. Common challenges include:
- No laser risk assessments
- No support for drafting Local Rules or safety documentation
- Clinical teams unsure of their responsibilities or required training
- No formal process for review, audit, or policy updates
An expert Laser Safety Consultancy can provide guidance to develop and strengthen your programme.
At Laser Protection Adviser Ltd, our services include:
- Supporting the development of your Laser Safety Programme and Policy
- Conducting and reviewing laser risk assessments
- Advising on setup of Laser Controlled Areas and signage
- Supporting Local Rule development and review
- Providing ongoing compliance support and expert advice
We work alongside your internal team and safety structures, helping ensure the systems in place reflect best practice and regulatory expectations.
Final Thoughts: Building a Culture of Laser Safety
A robust laser safety system is not about excessive documentation. It’s about supporting your staff with the tools, training, and oversight they need to deliver treatments safely. Hospital managers are in a pivotal position to enable this by ensuring the right systems are in place and by consulting with experienced LPAs when needed.
Contact us for a free consultation
Let’s work together to build a safe, confident, and compliant laser environment in your hospital.
