Generic Risk Assessment Form
IMPORTANT: Before carrying out the assessment, read the Guidance Notes provided on this
website.
Department School of Psychology Building
CUBRIC
Room No
Name of
Assessor
30 April 2007
ID No
[optional*]
Dr S K Rushton
Date of
Original
Assessment
MRI Suite
* You may wish to use an ID No. if you want to have a unique identifier of the risk assessments within your Department
Brief Description of Procedure/Activity and its Location: [Guidance note 2]
Perception of object movement during simulated self-movement in normal healthy research
volunteers in the MRI system at CUBRIC
The Magnetic Resonance Imaging system (MRI) system is housed within the MRI suite of the CUBRIC building.
The system can be used for research scanning of brain activity in human participants. MRI scanning of participants is
included in a separate risk assessment.
During MRI scanning of participants in some situations visual stimulation will be applied to participants. Visual stimuli can
be presented on either a back projector screen or a goggles system, both in the MRI suite. This risk assessment covers
visual stimulation of participants in the MRI system.
As per the MRI scanning risk assessment a minimum of two trained Cardiff University staff or students will be present for
each scan, at least one of whom is a full member of staff. This document covers MRI scanning by Cardiff University staff
only.
Note: Should no potential hazard be identified as associated with the procedure/activity in this
location, you may stop the risk assessment at this point [See Guidance note 2]
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Occupational Safety, Health and Environment Unit/September 2004/RISKASS Form
1
Hazards Involved: [Guidance note 3-5]
Substance/Item of
equipment/procedure or
physical location
Visual stimulation of normal
MRI participants via backprojection screen or
goggles.
Visual stimulation of normal
MRI participants via backprojection screen or
goggles.
Associated hazards
For a small proportion
of the epileptic
stimuli commonly used
in laboratory situations
(e.g. checkerboards and
gratings) can induce
photosensitive
seizures
Migraines can be
induced in some people
by flickering or high
contrast visual stimuli.
We use full-field motion
stimuli and these could
produce sensations of
nausea in susceptible
observers.
Existing Control Measures
1. During the participant screening for MRI
scanning it is determined whether
potential participants have any history of
epilepsy or light-induced seizures.
Volunteers with epilepsy or a history of
light-induced seizures are excluded from
participation.
Severity
Likelihood
Risk
1-4
2
4
1. On the volunteer information sheets given 1-3
to participants before undergoing MRI
scanning they are informed of the
potential risk of migraine. Participants can
choose at this point whether they still
wish to take part in the study.
2. Participants are always instructed as per
ethical guidelines that they can cease an
experiment whenever they choose (if they
were to start to develop a migraine).
2
3
1
1
Observers instructed to press squeeze-ball if
they feel nausea developing. Study will be
terminated.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Occupational Safety, Health and Environment Unit/September 2004/RISKASS Form
1
2
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Occupational Safety, Health and Environment Unit/September 2004/RISKASS Form
3
Persons Potentially at risk: (Guidance note 6)
Research volunteers during MRI scanning.
Additional Control measures which will need to be applied to reduce the
risk to an acceptable level (Guidance note 4)
Control measure
Date of
Implemented
Implementation by:
Remaining
Level of
Risk
Because the risk level is within
the acceptable level no further
action need be taken
Action in event of an accident or emergency (Guidance note 7)
The suite will be evacuated as appropriate. CUBRIC First-aiders and/or a 999 call
will be used if needed.
Arrangements for Monitoring Effectiveness of Control:
(Guidance note 8)
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Occupational Safety, Health and Environment Unit/September 2004/RISKASS Form
4
Periodic review by CUBRIC Management
Receipt of the Risk Assessment: (Guidance note 9)
This assessment has been issued to and read by:
Name of
Recipient:
Date of Receipt
Signature
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Occupational Safety, Health and Environment Unit/September 2004/RISKASS Form
5
Review of the Risk Assessment: (Guidance note 10)
Have the control measures been effective in controlling the risk?
Yes
No
Have there been any changes in the procedure or in information
available which affect the estimated level of risk from the listed
substances?
Yes
No
What changes to the control measures are required?
Date of
Review:
Date of Next
Review
Name of
Reviewer
Signature:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Occupational Safety, Health and Environment Unit/September 2004/RISKASS Form
6