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Contact Us

EHS is always available to provide assistance. If you need to contact us for any reason, please refer to our staff directory. In addition, we can be reached by using the information below.

Environmental Health and Safety Weill Cornell Medicine

402 East 67th Street
Room LA-0020
New York, NY 10065
Phone: (646) 962-7233
Fax: (646) 962-0288
ehs@med.cornell.edu

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Cornell Hotline

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Newsletters

Check out our newsletters for EHS updates, reports, news and tips.

 

Mission Statement

Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) is responsible for developing, maintaining and promoting policies, procedures, training and educational programs necessary to maintain a safe and healthy environment for our students, faculty, staff and visiting public. We are committed to developing a culture where safety and health are core values, and provide high-quality services that facilitate Weill Cornell Medicine's education, research and clinical missions.

EHS serves as the WCM biological, chemical and radiation safety office, coordinating comprehensive hazardous material and workplace safety programs. EHS takes appropriate steps to ensure that problems are identified and resolved in a timely manner. We coordinate reviews and responses to external agencies, many of which have the authority to cite, impose civil penalties, restrict or rescind operations, and remove or disapprove accreditation. EHS provides an emergency response for college situations that may include exposure to or the release of hazardous materials, and fire scenarios. We implement programs and services to minimize injuries or illnesses, and reduce safety, health and environmental risks in a manner consistent with fiscal and environmental stewardship. Read More

Meet New Medical Waste Vendor: Daniels Health

September 22, 2024

Daniels Health will replace our current medical waste vendor, Stericycle, beginning Monday, September 30, 2024. This change will impact all laboratories and clinical practices that produce sharps, chemo, pathological, and red bag waste on the main campus. Offsite clinics will not be immediately affected and will continue to be serviced by Stericycle.

Campus Support

A Daniels Health team member will be onsite in the lobbies of the buildings below on Monday, September 23, and Tuesday, September 24, to answer any questions you may have about the transition and to ensure all lab and clinic members from all buildings become familiar with the new containers.

Meet a Daniels Health team member at your convenience:

Date: Monday, September 23
Location: 1300 York Avenue
Time: 9:00 AM - 11:45 AM 

Date: Monday, September 23
Location: 1305 York Avenue
Time: Noon - 4:00 PM 

Date: Tuesday, September 24
Location: Belfer Research Building
Time: 9:00 AM - 11:45 AM     

Date: Tuesday, September 24
Location: S Building
Time: Noon - 4:00 PM            

EHS Newsletter: August 2024

August 21, 2024

Welcome to the Summer edition of the EHS Newsletter! This season, we're diving deep into a range of critical topics to keep you informed and empowered. Inside, you'll find insightful articles covering:

Upcoming Change in WCM Medical Waste Vendor

Next month, WCM will replace our current regulated medical waste (RMW) vendor, Stericycle, with Daniels Health. EHS will work with labs and practices that generate regulated medical waste ("red bag" and sharps waste) to prepare for the upcoming change.
Read more...

With More ‘Power’ Comes More Need for Safety

WCM employees are always looking for more time, more space, and more electronic capability as we continue to expand. However, safety must be a top priority in a research-based institution where sensitive equipment and a high volume of electronic devices are used.
Read more...

Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) FAQs

Review the role of the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), receive answers to your most frequently asked questions, and learn about changes to lab and clinical safety protocols.
Read more...

How to Prepare Your Lab for the EHS Annual Inspection: A Comprehensive Guide

Annual laboratory inspections are vital for ensuring compliance with safety regulations and maintaining a safe working environment. Principal investigators and lab managers must be well-versed in lab safety standards required to maintain compliance. Please review the annual lab inspection guide to help your team prepare effectively.

EPA’s Final Ruling on Methylene Chloride

Methylene chloride, also called Dichloromethane (DCM), is a volatile halogenated solvent utilized in various industries and applications such as adhesives, paint, metal cleaning products, and chemical processing. Exposures have been associated with various health risks, and the EPA has banned most uses of methylene chloride. Laboratory research is approved, but strict guidelines must be followed to ensure protection.
Read more...

Veena Sahajwalla: Leading the Future of Sustainable Recycling

Veena Sahajwalla, an esteemed inventor and Professor of Materials Science in the Faculty of Science at UNSW Australia, has redefined the recycling landscape through her inventive approaches that transform waste materials into valuable resources.
Read more...

EHS Newsletter: May 2024

May 23, 2024

The Spring EHS Newsletter features in-depth articles that expand on the topics discussed during the Town Hall, offering comprehensive information to ensure the safety and well-being of our research community. Wishing you a happy and productive Spring!

EHS Laboratory Safety Town Hall Highlights

The Annual EHS Laboratory Safety Town Hall was held on Wednesday, May 8. We understand that not everyone can attend, so we have made the presentation available online for your convenience. The event covered crucial topics, including expanded Annual Safety Training, updates on Chemical and Biological Safety, enhancements to the Lab Waste Program, and significant changes to the WCM Controlled Substance Policy for Animal Research. Additionally, modifications to the Research Safety Module in the WBG were discussed.

Storage, In-Room Egress, and Clearance

Review safety rules and codes that prohibit the storage of combustibles (paper, cardboard, plastics) and non-combustibles (metal, masonry, ceramics) and eliminate hazards within the means of egress in your space. 
Read more...

Online Lab Manager Training Series

Tailored for the laboratory community and covering a range of critical topics, online trainings are designed to equip laboratory managers with the essential knowledge and skills to maintain a safe and compliant work environment. Accessible via LMS, the courses provide flexibility for participants to complete the courses at their own pace.
Read more...

Important Update to DEA Scheduled Licensing and Use

All WCM researchers who currently work with controlled substances or intend to will be required to obtain and maintain individual licensure from both NYS DOH and the DEA. EHS has established a Controlled Substance Program Manager to assist with the application process.
Read more...

Free Biological Spill Kits

Spills of biological materials are potentially hazardous to individuals, colleagues, and those in surrounding areas. EHS has created biohazard spill kits and provides them free of charge for WCM laboratories.
Read more...

Training & Education Survey

Environmental Health & Safety is dedicated to excellence, continuous training, and education. Please take a moment to complete this 3-minute survey to help us develop better training for the Weill Cornell Medicine community.
Complete the Survey

Annual Chemical Inventory Due January 8, 2024

December 11, 2023

Who this message is for:
Laboratory Supervisors, Designated Laboratory Safety Coordinators, Chemical Owners, Clinical Practice Managers

What is happening:
Weill Cornell Medicine is required to submit Annual Chemical Inventory Reporting of all hazardous chemicals on campus, in order to comply with the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, NYC Fire Department, and US Environmental Protection Agency Community-Right-to-Know requirements, as well as US Department of Homeland Security Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism regulations.

Supervisors of all locations storing and/or using hazardous chemicals must maintain a chemical inventory in Salute.

What you need to do:
Review and update your chemical inventory in Salute by January 8, 2024. To update your Chemical Inventory:

  1. Sign-in to Salute using your WCM email, and then your CWID and password.
  2. Select Chemical Safety from the menu on the left-hand side of the page.
  3. Choose the inventory to view based on the Chemical Owner.
  4. Make any changes needed to your inventory. Please visit the EHS website for step-by-step instructions.
  5. Belfer Building Inventory Owners: Please pay special attention to reviewing and updating the storage room location of your inventory entries. Energy-saving initiatives, like the newly installed Aircuity System, rely on accurate record-keeping to optimize safety and sustainability. More information about Aircuity is available in a previous EHS Newsletter article.
  6. When you are finished, use the Status drop-down menu to change the Inventory Status to Complete.

For further guidance on utilizing Salute for chemical inventory management, please view a short self-paced training video on the EHS website (login required).

Contact us:
If you need access to Salute, need assistance in managing your inventory, or have any questions, please contact EHS at 646-962-7233 or ehs@med.cornell.edu.

We appreciate your cooperation in our efforts to inform regulatory agencies of chemical hazards present in our facilities.

Matthew Brinton
Director, Environmental Health and Safety

EHS Newsletter: November 2023

November 14, 2023

The weather has cooled, the clocks have been adjusted for daylight saving time, and the busy holiday season is approaching. Take a moment to review methods to maintain your personal safety at home and work, learn how to make your lab more energy efficient by borrowing a -80 freezer, and complete a quick survey to let us know how we can improve our training and services. The EHS team will host a table at the WCM Career Expo on November 16, so be sure to stop by.

EHS Employee Training Feedback Survey

EHS is dedicated to excellence, continuous training, and education. Please take a moment to fill out this 3-minute survey to help us learn how we can improve and expand our development programs for the Weill Cornell Medicine community. Complete Survey

Microtomes and Cryostats

Histology specimen preparation in BSL-1 or BSL-2 labs using microtomes or cryostats involves very sharp blades around your fingers. Additionally, you can be exposed to infectious materials when working with unfixed biohazardous samples, which pose a much higher risk than fixed tissue.
Read more...

Coming Soon: Biological Spill Kits

Spills of biological materials are potentially hazardous to individuals, colleagues, and those in surrounding areas. To ensure your laboratory is ready in the instance of a biological spill, EHS will provide biological spill kits to all WCM laboratories.
Review Biological Spill Planning and Response

Follow the R.A.C.E Procedure

R.A.C.E stands for Rescue, Alarm, Confine, and Evacuate/Extinguish and is a critical set of guidelines that can make the difference between safety and danger in various emergencies. These protocols serve as a structured framework, enabling Weill Cornell Medicine Employees to respond effectively to fire emergencies.
Read more...

Defrost your -80! A New ULT is Available for Temporary Storage

Ultra-low temperature freezers (ULTs) are some of the most energy-intensive plug-load equipment utilized in WCM labs and must be defrosted annually to maintain efficiency. The Office of Energy & Sustainability has purchased a new ULT for short-term storage to encourage WCM labs to conduct annual maintenance on their units.
Read more...

Slips, Trips, and Falls: Understanding, Preventing, and Mitigating Risks

As we enter the rainy and cold season, we face several risks, which include slips, trips, and falls in our day-to-day activities. It is important to be aware of hazards around us and learn how to properly identify and assess any risks with each step.
Read more...

Meet the EHS Team at the WCM Career Expo

Discover opportunities that can shape your career and future! The Staff & Organizational Development’s inaugural Career Expo is scheduled for Thursday, November 16, and EHS will be hosting a table! This event is an opportunity to explore different departments, careers, and opportunities.
Read more...

Requesting Assistance & Reporting a Problem

Contact WCM and NYP departments providing safety, security, waste and health services.

Safety Data Sheets

Chemwatch: a database of > 20,000,000 SDSs, obtained directly from manufacturers, suppliers and other chemical safety databases
More Information

WCM Fire Safety Log: Residential Housing

Date ReportedNature of FireDate of FireTime of FireLocation
12/06/2023Oven malfunctioned and charred adjacent kitchen cabinet12/06/202310:00 AMLasdon House: 420 E .70th Street
10/17/2023Stove burner too hot and heat deflected and charred adjacent wall10/17/2023 10:30 AM444 E. 77th Street
06/12/2023Coffee maker malfunctioned and caught on fire on desk06/12/2023 2:10 PM445 E. 69th Street
03/23/2024No Incident, Log Updated---
05/22/2024No Incident, Log Updated---
7/19/2024No Incident, Log Updated---
9/19/2024No Incident, Log Updated---