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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Check out our newsletters for EHS updates, reports, news and tips.
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
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:
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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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...
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!
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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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:
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
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 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
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...
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
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...
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.
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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.
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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...
Summer 2023 has brought record-breaking heat and humidity as well as air quality advisories for New York City and the surrounding area. Check in with the EHS team for tips on reducing pollution exposure and staying healthy while enjoying summer activities. The team also details the benefits of maintaining an accurate chemical inventory, discusses pathogen resistance and disinfectants, and more.
Warm weather, outdoor activities, and increased air pollution often accompany New York City summer. While the city boasts a vibrant atmosphere, it also contends with air quality issues that can pose risks to public health.
Following chemical safety best practices can have beneficial impacts that reach beyond the immediate laboratory. Explore how the simple act of maintaining an accurate chemical inventory can improve lab safety and affect new initiatives, including the Facilities Management & Campus Operations Department’s air quality and sustainability project in the Belfer Research Building.
Medical Health Physics is excited to announce the launch of its new website, designed to provide comprehensive information and resources on radiation safety services at WCM and NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medicine. The new website represents WCM's commitment to maintaining the safest environment when using radioactivity for clinical and research applications.
Antibiotic resistance is among the most significant concerns for the healthcare industry and public health. Antibiotics and antifungals save lives, but any time they are used—for people, animals, or plants—they can contribute to resistance. As attention to antibiotic-resistant organisms increases, many in the professional cleaning space are questioning whether pathogens can also develop resistance to chemical disinfectants.
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.
Keeping a chemical fume hood sash closed mitigates the potential for accidental exposures and reduces institutional energy usage. Fume hoods are one of the most energy-intensive pieces of equipment on campus, with a single hood costing about $2,600 to operate per year.
Contact WCM and NYP departments providing safety, security, waste and health services.
Chemwatch: a database of > 20,000,000 SDSs, obtained directly from manufacturers, suppliers and other chemical safety databases
More Information
| Date Reported | Nature of Fire | Date of Fire | Time of Fire | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/06/2023 | Oven malfunctioned and charred adjacent kitchen cabinet | 12/06/2023 | 10:00 AM | Lasdon House: 420 E .70th Street |
| 10/17/2023 | Stove burner too hot and heat deflected and charred adjacent wall | 10/17/2023 | 10:30 AM | 444 E. 77th Street |
| 06/12/2023 | Coffee maker malfunctioned and caught on fire on desk | 06/12/2023 | 2:10 PM | 445 E. 69th Street |
| 03/23/2024 | No Incident, Log Updated | - | - | - |
| 05/22/2024 | No Incident, Log Updated | - | - | - |
| 7/19/2024 | No Incident, Log Updated |
