Maintaining a safe MR environment is a daily challenge for MR healthcare workers, especially in consideration of the increasing number of clinical MR applications and the large and growing variety of biomedical implants and devices that are currently used in patients. This review article presents policies and procedures that should be used to screen all patients and individuals before allowing them to enter the magnetic resonance (MR) environment. Information pertaining to MR safety and the relative risk factors for implants, devices and materials is discussed. A comprehensive pre-MRI procedure screening form that is recommended for use by MR facilities is also included.