Studies, investigations, inspections, or inquiries by the division; refusal to admit; penalty.

(1) The department shall make studies, investigations, inspections, or inquiries with respect to compliance with this part or any rules authorized under this part and the causes of firefighter employee injuries, illnesses, safety-based complaints, or Line of Duty Deaths (LODD) as defined in rule in firefighter employee places of employment and shall make such recommendations to the Legislature and firefighter employers and insurers as the department considers proper to prevent or reduce future occurrences. In making such studies, investigations, inspections, or inquiries, the department may cooperate with any agency of the United States charged with the duty of enforcing any law securing safety against injury in any place of firefighter employment covered by this part or any agency or department of the state engaged in enforcing any law to ensure safety for firefighter employees.

(2) The division by rule may adopt procedures for conducting investigations, inspections, or inquiries of firefighter employers under this part.

(3) The division and authorized representatives of the division may enter and inspect any firefighter employee’s place of employment at any reasonable time for the purpose of investigating compliance with this part and conducting inspections for the proper enforcement of this part. A firefighter employer who refuses to admit any member of the division or authorized representative of the division to any place of employment or to allow investigation and inspection pursuant to this section commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.