Laser Safety Committee

List of Committee Members

 

University of Toronto

LASER SAFETY COMMITTEE (LSC)

The University of Toronto Laser Safety Committee (LSC) is charged with ensuring that all activities conducted at the University of Toronto involving Class 3B and 4 lasers are conducted in a safe manner and in conformity with the national, provincial, local regulations and University standards. The LSC reports at least annually and as needed to the Associate Vice-President, Research Oversight and Compliance. 

In order to effectively control laser hazards, the University’s Laser Safety Program requires registration of all Class 3B and Class 4 lasers and laser systems, training of all users of these lasers, medical surveillance where appropriate, and regular ongoing inspections of these laser installations. 

The University affirms that the primary responsibility for the regulatory compliance, safety and security of staff, students and the public lie with the Permit Holder using or authorizing the use of Class 3B and 4 lasers. In addition, the University (through the members of the Governing Council and senior administrators) acknowledges a responsibility to provide a policy and procedural framework designed to ensure that work with lasers is being conducted safely and in conformity with the relevant Acts and Regulations. 

Functions 

The Associate Vice-President, Research Oversight and Compliance (AVP-ROC) has delegated to the LSC the following functions, powers, and duties: 

  1. Approving the U of T Laser Safety Program and periodically assessing the effectiveness of the program and recommending changes; 
  2. Establishing and maintaining standards and guidelines for the safe use of lasers within the University; 
  3. Providing recommendations for implementation by the office of Environmental Health and Safety, and the Laser Safety Officer (LSO); 
  4. Providing expert advice on laser safety hazards; 
  5. Approving appropriate laser safety training program materials; 
  6. Reviewing and acting on the recommendation of the LSO to suspend, restrict or terminate the operation of a laser or laser system; 
  7. Reconsidering decisions concerning suspension, restriction or termination of the operation of a laser or laser system; 
  8. Reporting annually to the Associate Vice-President, Research Oversight and Compliance on the operation of the Laser Safety Program. 

Membership 

The membership of the LSC shall consist of: 

  1. the Chair of the LSC; 
  2. a minimum of six (6) academic faculty members with expertise in laser technology and/or assessment of laser hazards, one of whom is the Vice-Chair; 
  3. the Executive Director, Research Safety and Compliance, EHS (ex officio); 
  4. the Director, Operations, Research Safety and Compliance, EHS (ex officio); 
  5. a Manager, Research Regulatory Affairs (ex officio);  
  6. the U of T Laser Safety Officer, EHS (ex officio); and, 
  7. a graduate student user of a Class 3B or 4 laser. 

Academic members are appointed to the LSC for terms not less than two years and not more than four years (renewable) by the AVP-ROC on the recommendation by the Chair of the LSC. Academic members from both research and teaching streams are selected on the basis of their experience and expertise in working with Class 3B and 4 lasers and their physical location to ensure a good representation of members from across faculties and campuses. Duties of the membership are to attend one meeting per year, engage in the materials, and be available for any ad hoc meeting that needs to be called for any reason or regulatory challenge that occurs in the interim.  

The LSC Chair is appointed by the AVP-ROC for a two-year term (renewable) and the Chair is normally chosen from the existing academic members on the LSC, preferably the Vice-Chair. The Chair shall have extensive experience in working with lasers and laser technology. The duties of the Chair shall include, but are not limited to: setting meeting agendas, presiding over meetings, reviewing Committee minutes before distribution and ensuring that the Committee carries out its functions as set out in all applicable Regulations and these Terms of Reference, ensuring that new members understand their duties, powers, and responsibilities as prescribed in the Regulations and in these Terms of Reference, and maintaining accurate records of the activities of the Committee.  

The LSC Chair shall be an ex officio member of the Senior Management Committee on Health and Safety. The LSC Chair acts on behalf of the LSC for the purposes of conducting routine business between scheduled meetings. 

The LSC Vice-Chair is appointed by the AVP-ROC on the recommendation of the LSC and should be chosen from within the academic members of the LSC. The Vice-Chair performs the duties of the Chair when necessary. 

Resource People and Experts 

The LSC relies on expertise from Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) and may also call upon external or other University experts when necessary. These individuals may be called upon to attend meetings but do not have voting privileges. 

Principles of Committee Member Engagement  

The work of this committee benefits the University of Toronto community, enhancing safety awareness in laboratory environments, which is why it is imperative that its activities are conducted in an ethical and highly considered manner that warrants the confidence of all participants involved including all our stakeholders in research contexts. In alignment with expectations across all University policies, committee members are accountable to their colleagues on the committee and to the University for the benefit and safety of the university community and act in the best interests of the University. In doing so, we act fairly, impartially and in good faith and do not allow personal or professional interests or relationships to influence our ability to act. We uphold key principles of our institution’s safety and strategic objectives, namely to lead nationally and globally in research and innovation; provide institutional supports to empower scholars to do their best research; enable train and support the next generation of researchers and innovators; and promote an environment that complies with all applicable university policies in a manner that values collaboration and consensus building. In developing safety standards and other deliverables, we commit to accepting and respecting consensus decisions. We present all information necessary for a full, fair and informed consideration of the issues before the committee.  

We protect the integrity of discussions and debates and do not disclose any committee information which is confidential by nature including institutional research licenses and/or inspection information. We ensure that any committee information, documents or data in our possession are not disseminated unless appropriate to do so and properly safeguarded and abide by the University’s applicable Information Security policies. We identify and escalate concerns or disputes in a timely manner according to agreed processes and resolution mechanisms and we respect and uphold the outcomes of such processes. 

These principles are approved and adopted by the committee as the expectations for all committee members and participants at committee meetings and will be reviewed annually or as necessary due to material changes that may need consideration. 

Meetings 

The Committee shall meet at least once per year and Minutes of the meetings shall be taken and kept on file. The Office of Environmental Health and Safety provides administrative support to the LSC Chair and the Committee. The Associate Vice-President, Research Oversight and Compliance shall be furnished with copies of agendas and final meeting Minutes.   

Committee decisions that affect researchers handling lasers at the University are normally made by consensus, but a vote may be taken if consensus cannot be reached after discussion of the outstanding issue(s). In the event of a vote, a simple majority of votes of those present and will normally be conducted by a show of hands. If the objection is a new safety concern, it shall be taken back to Environmental Health and Safety for review and re-discussion at the Committee and voted on via email. Decisions shall be recorded in the Minutes.  

Quorum shall be 50% +1 of the total Committee membership and must include the Executive Director, Research Safety and Compliance, EHS (or a designated alternative ex officio member from EHS management), the LSC Chair, and one academic member representative. 

Updates of the Terms of Reference 

The Committee shall review these Terms of Reference (at least) every 3 years, to meet any new regulatory guidelines or policies or other relevant changed circumstances.  

The Committee may recommend changes to these Terms of Reference at any time. All changes to these Terms of Reference must be approved by the Associate Vice-President, Research Oversight and Compliance. 

Version – April 2026