Announcements

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            

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

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...

Spring is here, and safety and sustainability is the theme for the new season. It is the perfect time to check in with the EHS team for reminders, tips, and insight regarding how to protect yourself and others at home and work. Please take this 3-minute survey to help us improve our content, understand community training demands, and provide you with better training resources.

Fire Safety with E-Mobility Devices

The benefits of using an e-mobility device (E-Bike/ E-Scooter) include convenience, cost, and an exhilarating feeling, but they include lithium-ion batteries, which have caused an uptick in fires nationwide. Learn fire safety tips for buying, using, storing, and charging your device, what to do in the event of a fire at home and work, and how to remain safe.

Read more...

Shipping Hazardous Materials

The shipment of hazardous materials is highly regulated at international, federal, state, and local levels. EHS provides biological material and dry ice training, which is required for authorization to ship clinical, biological, and infectious samples. Lab staff is required to complete this training every two years. Penalties for accidents or incidents fall directly on the shipper and the institution.

Read more...

Assessing Risks and Exploring Resources for Pregnant Researchers

Working in a laboratory presents a set of unique risks to researchers. Assessing hazards can be particularly difficult for pregnant researchers as data about toxicity can be unclear during different stages of pregnancy. Review resources for evaluating the safety of your work while pregnant.

Read more...

Regulated Medical Waste

Regulated medical waste (RWM) or “red bag” waste is generated when labs and clinics on campus collect biologically contaminated materials for disposal. This waste should not be mixed with regular trash as it can present exposure hazards to WCM employees. Review guidelines on how to assess and dispose of items during biological and clinical procedures.

Read more...

Sustainable Clothing Practices

Spring is the perfect time to start living more sustainably by embarking on a deep cleaning journey to eliminate excess clutter in your living space, primarily your closet. Here are seven ways to promote a more sustainable lifestyle by incorporating eco-friendly practices into your clothing choices.
Read more...

EHS is pleased to announce our upcoming Town Hall, where we will share updates on new and ongoing laboratory safety programs.

Monday, February 13, 2023

4:00 - 4:45 PM

Click here to register

Attend in person at Uris Auditorium or join via Zoom

https://weillcornell.zoom.us/j/94253164781 Meeting ID: 942 5316 4781

Important topics that we will cover in this meeting include:

• Top lab safety trends from 2022 and our goals for 2023
• Updates on Regulatory Agencies’ activities and the potential impact on our labs
• Chemical Safety Updates
• Biological Safety Updates
• Waste Minimization and Sustainability
• And more

All Laboratory Safety Coordinators should plan to attend this meeting, and additional lab employees are welcome to join as well. If you are unable to attend, please invite another member of your lab by sharing the registration link.

Who this message is for:

Laboratory Supervisors, Designated Laboratory Safety Coordinators, Chemical Owners

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 9, 2023. 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. Please note: some line items in the inventory may appear with a chemical name of “N/A.” These are legacy entries from the migration of ChemTracker data into the new Salute inventory system. Please do not delete these items from your inventory. EHS is working with Salute to reconcile these data entries.
5. When you are finished,use theStatus 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.

EHS is pleased to announce our upcoming Town Hall, where we will share updates on new and ongoing laboratory safety programs.  

Monday, March 7, 2022 

4:00 – 5:00 PM 

Location: Zoom. Please RSVP to receive Zoom link.

Click here to RSVP 

Important topics that we will cover in this meeting include: 

• 2022 Laboratory Safety Trends 
• New Weill Research Gateway Features: Lab Roster with Training Assessments 
• New Training Programs Available for Lab Managers 
• Chemical Safety Updates 
• Biological Safety Updates 
• Upcoming Regulatory Inspections 
• Sustainability and How to Minimize Waste in Your Lab 
• Future Initiatives in Lab Safety Management 
• And more 

RSVP online now

All Laboratory Safety Coordinators should plan to attend this meeting, and additional lab employees are welcome to join as well. If you are unable to attend, please invite another member of your lab by sharing the registration link. 

Please feel free to contact EHS with any questions at 646-962-7233 or ehs@med.cornell.edu.  

2020 Hazardous Waste Report

The EHS Hazardous Waste Program is responsible for managing and disposing of all chemical and biological wastes generated at Weill Cornell Medicine. Our Hazardous Waste Report is designed to provide WCM’s research and clinical communities with an overview of chemical and biological waste generation on campus during the 2020 calendar year, as well as waste management and minimization strategies. View Report...

Decontamination vs. Disinfection vs. Sterilization: Selecting the Right Cleaning Process

In a biological and biomedical laboratory setting, cleaning practices have always been the top priority to prevent the spread of harmful pathogens. Whether the goal is decontamination, disinfection, or sterilization, choosing the correct process and cleaning agent for the task is critical. Learn about common laboratory disinfectants, how to select the best one based on your needs, and additional resources available to you through EHS. Read more...

Safety Tips for Your Summer Barbeque

Fire up the grill! It’s summertime, and there’s nothing better than a barbeque. Before you press the ignition button or light the charcoal, Weill Cornell Medicine Fire Safety would like to remind you to keep these simple, essential BBQ safety tips in mind and not make your BBQ memorable for all the wrong reasons. Read more...

Respiratory Protection Program

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of the proper use of respiratory protection and dramatically increased the need for respiratory protection and education for Weill Cornell Medicine faculty, staff, and students. EHS has always maintained a robust respiratory protection program, but this year was the biggest test for that program that we’ve seen so far. Read more...

Webinar: Volatile Chemicals & BSCs: How Much is Safe?

In a biological safety cabinet (BSC), what chemical concentration is safe? Can it vent to the room? And what is the explosion or chemical exposure limit? While no universal volume of any volatile chemical should be deemed safe to work within a Type A2 BSC, there is a tool to find the safe working concentration of each specific chemical that can be used to aid an accurate risk assessment. Read more...

Thank you to all who attended the EHS Laboratory Safety Town Hall on February 25. If you'd like to view a recording of the session, please click here (login required).

Who this message is for:

Laboratory Supervisors, Designated Laboratory Safety Coordinators, Chemical Owners.

What is happening:

Weill Cornell Medicine is required to submit Annual Chemical Inventory Reporting of all hazardous chemicals in order to comply with city, state, and federal mandates.

What you need to do:

If you haven’t done so yet, please review and update your chemical inventory in Salute by January 29, 2021.

To comply with this year’s annual chemical inventory, simply:

1. review your inventory in Salute for accuracy,
2. make changes as needed, and
3. change the Inventory Status from Requires Update to Complete once you are done.

 For step-by-step instructions on viewing and managing your chemical inventory, please visit the EHS website.

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.

The NYC Fire Department (FDNY) will resume conducting annual laboratory inspections starting Friday, July 10, 2020. Inspections had previously been on hold during the height of the pandemic.

 These inspections will occur weekly on Fridays, and the FDNY can issue violation(s) to the laboratory for any issues that they observe. While the exact locations of the weekly inspections are unannounced, personnel can prepare their laboratories by reviewing the EHS Update on FDNY Laboratory Requirements and Common Violations. 

In addition to preparing the laboratories, staff must ensure that at least one C-14 holder is present while the lab is in operation to avoid receiving a violation. Eligible laboratory staff can obtain a C-14 Certificate of Fitness by completing the EHS provided training and passing a competency exam required by FDNY. For more information, please review the C-14 Application Checklist.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact your Safety Advisor or the EHS office at 646-962-7233 or ehs@med.cornell.edu.

Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans. 

Watch this short video to find out more.

Who this message is for:

Laboratory Supervisors, Designated Laboratory Safety Coordinators, Chemical Owners

 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, the new web-based EHS management system. 

What you need to do:

Review and update your chemical inventory in Salute by January 17, 2020. Your inventory in Salute is based on your last inventory in ChemTracker, the previous platform, and any updates you have made since Salute launched, so all you need to do is enter any changes since the last record. 

To update your Chemical Inventory:

1. Sign-in to Salute at https://wcmc.salutesafety.com 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. 
   Please note: some line items in the inventory may appear with a chemical name of “N/A”. These are legacy entries from the migration of ChemTracker data into the new Salute inventory system. Please do not delete these items from your inventory. EHS is working with Salute to reconcile these data entries.
5. When you are finished, use the Status drop-down menu to change the Inventory Status to Complete. 

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.

The NYC Fire Department (FDNY) will conduct an off-hours laboratory inspection on Saturday, October 19, 2019. 

While the inspection will mainly focus on the presence of an FDNY C-14 Certificate of Fitness (COF) holder when someone is working in the laboratory, the FDNY can issue violation(s) to the laboratory for any issues that they observe during the inspection. The FDNY requires that a C-14 certificate holder be present in the laboratory at all times when the laboratory is in operation.  

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact your Safety Advisor or the EHS office at 646-962-7233 or ehs@med.cornell.edu.

The NYC Fire Department (FDNY) will conduct an off-hours laboratory inspection on Saturday, September 14, 2019.

While the inspection will mainly focus on the presence of an FDNY C-14 Certificate of Fitness (COF) holder when someone is working in the laboratory, the FDNY can issue violation(s) to the laboratory for any issues that they observe during the inspection. The FDNY requires that a C-14 certificate holder be present in the laboratory at all times when the laboratory is in operation.  

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact your Safety Advisor or the EHS office at 646-962-7233 or ehs@med.cornell.edu.

WCM is rolling out the Minus 80 monitoring system to the Belfer Research Building. Minus 80 is a cloud-based monitoring system that provides users with real-time information and sends customizable alerts via text, phone or email about the status of their freezers and refrigerators. Probes can be purchased or leased. Click here for more information.

Due to the recent acquisition of the ChemTracker Chemical Inventory System by BioRAFT at the end of 2018, Weill Cornell Medicine will be navigating away from the use of ChemTracker to manage chemical inventories. As of 2019, you will no longer be able to access or edit your inventory using ChemTracker.

A new inventory management system will be launched in the coming weeks. In an effort to minimize the burden to laboratories during this transition, Environmental Health and Safety is currently working to upload your most recent chemical inventory record from ChemTracker into the new platform.

Prior to the new system going live, manually keep track of major changes to your lab inventory. We will keep you posted regarding when you will be able to access the new inventory system.

We appreciate your cooperation during this transition period. Please contact us at 646-962-7233 or ehs@med.cornell.edu with any questions.

As every year, Weill Cornell Medicine must submit an Annual Chemical Inventory report of all hazardous chemicals on campus including type, quantity, and storage/use location; to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations. 

Supervisors of all locations storing and/or using hazardous chemicals must review their chemical inventory in the web-based ChemTracker Chemical Inventory System; and submit to EHS the Annual Chemical Inventory Submission form, available on the EHS website.

This process must be completed by December 15, 2018, to allow EHS enough time to submit the regulatory reports. For more information, please click here.

If you have any questions or need assistance with your ChemTracker account, please contact us at 646-962-7233 or chemtracker@med.cornell.edu.

Weill Cornell Medicine’s annual campus security and fire safety report is now available. This report is required by federal law and contains policy statements and crime statistics for the school. The policy statements address the school’s policies, procedures, and programs concerning safety and security, for example, policies for responding to emergency situations and sexual offenses.

Three years’ worth of statistics are included for certain types of crimes that were reported to have occurred on campus, in or on off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by the school and on public property within or immediately adjacent to the campus.

This report is available online at the WCM Student Life website.  You may also request a paper copy from the Office of Student Affairs.

We are constantly reviewing our training and safety programs to identify gaps or areas that need development, and the feedback we receive from faculty, students, and staff is essential to measure our performance and find ways to improve our services.

Please take a moment to complete the Environmental Health and Safety Customer Satisfaction Survey. You can keep survey answers will remain confidential if you wish, or you can provide your contact information if you would like us to reach you. 

Click here to complete the EHS Customer Satisfaction Survey

Weill Cornell Medicine is introducing a new refrigerator and freezer monitoring system in the 1300 York Avenue Complex. Minus 80 is a cloud-based monitoring system that provides users with real-time information and alerts about the status of their freezers and refrigerators. Users can access the Minus 80 platform via computer or mobile; and set up custom alarms and notifications via text, phone, or email. Click here for more information.

All our onsite training and certification programs now have new sessions available for 2018. Please visit our Instructor-Led Training Schedule page for more information.

We are pleased to welcome you to the new website for Environmental Health and Safety at Weill Cornell Medicine, now on the new WCM’s branding scheme and content management platform.

Our new site still contains all of EHS forms, manuals, and documentation. You may use the menu bar near the top of the page, or the search icon in the top right corner to find the resources you need or explore our content.

We will be revising our content as well as adding new features in the near future; please check back frequently for updates.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at ehs@weill.cornell.edu or call 646-962-7233.

It is important to learn from accidents and near misses. This “Lessons Learned” section of the EHS website has been created to document accidents that have occurred on our campus or at other similar institutions. The documents provide a brief description of the incident, the root cause(s), and what has been learned.

EHS introduces a new Incident Tracking System! This system is designed to track EHS-related service requests and incidents for Weill Cornell Medical College. This new system offers a number of enhancements: emailing users with updates, allowing them to view the current status of their tickets, and providing general, improved departmental oversight. Learn about our new way of recording incidents including ergonomic assessments, waste management issues, fire safety training and more. Start using the system today.

EHS has posted an Electrical Safety Manual, intended to prevent exposure to hazardous electrical conditions and ensure compliance with the regulatory requirements applicable to electrical systems. This program is designed to provide guidance protect the Weill Cornell Medical College (WCMC) community from electrical hazards and ensure that any energized electrical work is performed in a safe manner by qualified electrical workers, who are appropriately trained and provided with safe work procedures, personal protective equipment, and other safety controls.

This one-page informational document, which can be used as a poster, provides an overview of safe work, handling, containment, and disposal practices for biological materials in Weill Cornell Medical College laboratories. Utilize it in conjunction with the more detailed information provided in the EHS Program Manuals and Updates.

Laboratory coats are a critical component to worker protection in both laboratory and clinical/patient-care areas. WCMC Purchasing has established a service agreement with Unitex Textile Services to provide and launder laboratory coats. Laboratory coats are tagged and bar-coded to identify ownership, increase auditing efficiencies, and reduce lost or missing garments.

All tools, equipment, and machinery must be inspected regularly in accordance with manufacturer guidelines and all applicable regulations to protect users from physical hazards. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandates that employees be protected against accidental injury by hazardous or potentially hazardous equipment by using accident prevention tags to communicate hazards until they can be eliminated.

As part of the Weill Cornell Medical College (WCMC) Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Program Manual, a Building Design Guidelines program has been established. All new construction and renovation projects must follow the design guidelines in this document. These guidelines will be updated on regular basis; the newest version may be found on the EHS website or by requesting a copy from EHS. Project Managers must ensure the newest version of the program is used at the beginning of every project.

Safeguards are essential for protecting workers from needless and preventable machinery-related injuries.

Pathological waste consists of recognizable human-derived tissue, organs and body parts as well as vertebrate animal-derived tissue, organs and body parts used in research.