Static Magnetic Field Safety Program
OVERVIEW
The Radiation Protection Program provides safety recommendations for personnel working with or around devices that produce potentially hazardous magnetic fields. With proper training, procedures and space design, these potential hazards can be mitigated. Therefore, it is essential that:
- areas with strong magnetic fields are designed with full consideration for personnel safety
- adequate training is provided to personnel and visitors
- access controls are implemented
- signs are placed and maintained to convey hazard information to personnel in the local area
MAGNET SAFETY PROGRAM
The MIT Magnet Safety Program aims to provide a safe environment for staff, researchers, students and visitors working with and/or around strong magnetic fields.
REGISTRATION PROCESS
MIT EHS maintains an inventory of all magnets on campus that create magnetic fields greater than 2 telsa (20,000 gauss). All devices that produce magnetic field strengths greater than 2 tesla should be registered with the EHS Radiation Protection Program (RPP) for hazard evaluation. Examples of current inventory include superconducting magnets, such as magnetic resonance imaging machines.
ONLINE TRAINING
A web-based training course, Static Magnetic Field Safety (EHS00380w), has been developed and is offered by the EHS Office via the MIT Learning Center. This course can be found under a user’s recommended training if the user has indicated their use of magnets in their training needs assessment. This course can also be found by going through the Course Catalog → ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH & SAFETY → Radiation Safety.
QUESTIONS/HELP? Contact your EHS Coordinator or DLC RPP Officer
ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS
International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists
American Industrial Hygiene Association
World Health Organization