There are a few tours that all new MICers are required to take. These are to guarantee your and others' safety.

MR Safety Tour


The magnet is ALWAYS ON! The MR scanner is always magnetized and will always pull metal objects towards it.

The field lines

  • The strength of the magnetic field from each scanner is indicated using coloured lines on the floor.
  • The yellow line indicated 10 gauss and the red one indicated 5 gauss.
  • These lines should not be crossed with anything magnetic.
  • Always empty your pockets, check wrists, hair, etc. before approaching the magnet. Do not bring anything with metal or a magnetic strip inside the lines (hair pins, watch, credit/ID cards...).

Magnetic field quench

  • Quenching a MR scanner is very expensive ($ millions) and should be avoided at all costs.
  • In AN EMERGENCY SITUATION the magnet can be quenched to remove the magnetic field. This is to be done ONLY when a life is in danger. 
    • You may consider this is if someone is trapped between the magnet and another magnetic object. 
    • If you feel there is a need for the quenching of the MRI, try to contact someone to give you permission to do so
    • If you are consulting the wiki about whether you should quench the magnet, you probably should not quench the magnet.
    • Best option: Don't get stuck to the magnet

Cables underfoot

  • The floor of the MRI suite is a raised platform.
  • Cables run along the real floor.
  • This is a tripping hazard as well as a safety hazard as some of the cables are dangerous to touch.
  • If handling is required, find someone who knows the MRI suite to help you.
  • Be cautious of all the "holes" in the floor, stepping into one can be dangerous to you and the functioning of the scanner.

Visitors

  • Be aware of visitors to the F2 lab space who may not know about the static field.
  • The key to the MR is located in a cabinet near the MR (ask someone to show you).
    • Door should be locked overnight and if there is a known cohort of people (i.e. construction workers, open house visitors, etc) visiting.
  • Don't be afraid to tell visitors to avoid the field lines, to not bring carts past the lines, etc.

Remember, there are no expectations for users to handle anything on the MRI that they are uncomfortable with, or to solve problems that occur. Don't hesitate to ask question. 

  • Also, if you see an issue, such as a lose cable or a screw that needs tightening, let Owen or someone else know.

For more information see MRI Safety and Security.


General Lab Safety Tour

Use fume hood for chemical hazards and biosafety cabinets (BSC) for animal handling (to avoid cross contamination). NOTE: THIS SHOULD ALL BE COVERED IN TRAINING.

Always wipe down BSC surfaces, mouse containers and other tools with clidox before and after work.


NO eating or drinking in the lab space - you may leave a water bottle or snack in the hall and take breaks when you need to. 


Safety protective equipment:

Wear while working with mice in the MICe lab:

  • Yellow gowns
    • Located in bag next to BSC in general lab space
    • Required when handling animals
  • Closed shoes (no sandals, flip-flops, etc)
    • Required at all times when working in lab space
    • Crocs are available to be changed into if you need them (located in change room on main floor)
  • Gloves
    • Required at all times when handling mice or chemicals
    • REMOVE before touching door knobs, handles, phones, computer keyboard/mouse, etc.
  • Safety mask
    • Wear while working with mice in the MICe lab
    • This includes scanning and working in the BSC

Other safety and protective equipment:

  • Lab coat
    • For use when handling chemicals
    • Clean lab coat stock is kept in large cupboard beneath Window E
    • Coats in use should be labeled with your name on a piece of tape and hung on the clothes hangar beside procedure room
    • Soiled lab coats can be disposed in white laundry basket beside procedure room
    • MICe techs are in charge of bringing soiled lab coats to the Lunenfeld staff and restocking with clean lab coats
  • Scrubs
    • Located in cabinet above computer benches near tissue culture room
    • Required to enter animal facility, recommended for animal work
  • Safety googles
    • To be used as appropriate
  • Full-face shield
    • For liquid nitrogen use
  • Eye wash and body shower
    • Available in case of emergency
  • Spill kits
    • Available in case of emergency
  • MSDS sheets binder
    • Above Shoshana's desk (SEE FAMILY TREE FOR LINK)


Remember, some people have desks in the lab space and it is courteous to keep a reasonable and respectful noise level.


Occupational Health for any incident or medical issue related to work (Occupational Health Office, Main Sickkids building, Black Wing, room 5309)

Incident Report (on-line, paper form)


Equipment-specific hazards

  • Tissue Vision

    • Laser hazard

  • OPT

    • BABB (carcinogen)

  • Micro-CT

    • X-ray source hazard

  • Cell culture

    • Avoid unnecessary traffic

    • Wear clean/designated lab coat for TC

    • UV light

  • Ultrasound

  • Procedure room

    • Flammable cabinet and chemical storage

  • Machine Shop

    • Off limits, talk to Owen

  • MRI

    • Magnet/projectile hazard

    • High current hazard

    • Cryogenic hazard


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