Optical Radiation 'Local Rules'

What are Local Rules?

Local rules are basically general procedures for the safe use of laser and other intense light equipment. They typically include information such as,

- Description of the hazard
- Definition of a designated working area
- Key contacts/personnel
- Key safety instructions
- Correct use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Meaning of signage
- Emergency procedures
- Refer to specific operating procedures for the actual activity


Legal requirements

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, businesses with 5 or more employees must have written policies and procedures. Local rules, would typically sit between the "Health and Safety Policy", and the specific instructions for the particular activity.

Under the Control of Artificial Optical Radiation at Work Regulations 2010, it is a legal requirement to provide suitable training and instruction to employees. Written safety procedures (local rules) may help demonstrate compliance with this requirement.

In Wales, businesses using laser and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) equipment must register with the Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW). Under the National Minimum Standards For Private and Voluntary Healthcare Services, written safety procedures are required.

In London and Nottinghamshire, beauty salons/clinics and laser tattoo removal studios must obtain a 'special treatments licence'. Often the council will state that having 'local rules' in place is a condition of the licence. Whilst the requirement for local rules is not strictly a legal requirement, obtaining the licence is. Therefore on a practical level, local rules are required.


Who should write the local rules?

Ideally, all business should take ownership and write policies and procedures themselves in order that they best suit their working practices. They should be concise and workable documents rather than seen as being written just to comply with the regulations. However, in the real world, writing policies and procedures from scratch is often not practical. It is common therefore, to use templates or use third party safety companies to help with the documentation.

Whilst we are not a huge fan of 'off the shelf' policies and procedures, we accept these realities and can provide local rules and other safety policy documents tailored to our customers needs.

Bizarrely, some local authorities actually insist that beauty salons/clinics are not allowed to take ownership of their own documentation and instead must employ the services of a Laser Protection Adviser (safety consultant) such as ourselves to do this for them.


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