1. Access management

The Experimental Hall interior is designated as a "Class 1 B" controlled area, which has the potential for contamination by radioactive substances. 。At departure, all researchers are required to confirm that no radioactive substances are present on their hands and feet (contamination inspection), and following this to remove all materials and equipment brought in to the facility. In order to reduce the number of inspected items, we request that items that do not need to be brought into the Experimental Hall be stored in the lockers.

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2. Chemical safety

Samples and chemicals listed on the proposal form, or on the user request form prior to arrival, will undergo safety inspections regarding usage conditions, chemical properties, Japanese laws, etc. In particular, we are required to confirm the chemical stability of certain experimental environments, such as those involving high temperatures or high pressures, which we will do by recreating them prior to arrival. Samples or chemicals that have not undergone the above procedures will not be permitted for use at our facilities, so please ensure that the necessary procedures have been undertaken prior to arrival.

※ The results of the safety inspection will be sent with the title, "SAMPLE RISK ASSESSMENT SHEET." Sample handling and care instructions will be written, so please ensure that these are confirmed prior to experiments.

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3. Equipment safety

Experimental equipment listed on the proposal form, or on the user request form prior to arrival, will undergo safety inspections depending on their usage conditions, interlock, Japanese laws, etc. Staff will check for the soundness of the equipment and conduct a risk assessment prior to equipment use 。In addition, we are required to confirm the soundness of the experimental equipment under special experimental environments, such as those involving high temperatures or high pressures; this will be performed by recreating the experimental conditions prior to arrival. Experimental equipment that has not undergone the above procedures will not be permitted for use at our facilities, so please ensure that the necessary procedures have been undertaken prior to arrival.

※ The results of the safety inspection will be sent as an MLF carry-in equipment safety confirmation report. The term of validity will extend one year from the inspection date, during which time the equipment will be exempt from confirmation by staff, as a general rule.

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4. Radiation safety

Samples or equipment exposed to the beam may become radioactive. Potentially radioactive samples and/or equipment to be removed from the facility are to undergo contamination and radioactivity inspections; if radioactivity is confirmed, these items will need to be stored within the Experimental Hall until the radioactive dose has decreased to an acceptable level.

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5. Gas safety

Approval from Ibaraki Prefecture is required in accordance with the High-Pressure Gas Safety Act for experiments in which gases are pressurized to over 1 MPa, or gases over 1 MPa are used (not applicable for cases in which the gas is decompressed to below 1 MPa and used). At present, MLF does not have approval from the prefecture except for certain pieces of equipment, so those who will be conducting experiments for which these conditions are applicable must discuss with the staff beforehand.

※ Gases like Xe, ³He, Ar, etc. can become radioactive following neutron beam exposure, so please refer to the radiation safety criteria and take precautionary steps against scattering and leakage.

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General safety