Environmental Health and Safety provides a variety of services that pertain to clinicians.
Clinical Research Requiring Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) Review and Approval
At WCM, clinical research protocols involving the use of investigational products; Cellular therapy (e.g., CAR-T), Gene therapy or Biological agents (e.g., Vaccines) that resemble a disease-causing microorganism must be reviewed and approved by the IBC prior to enrollment.
Human Gene Therapy involves the deliberate transfer of recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules (DNA, RNA) Trials involving genetically modified organisms or genetic engineering techniques typically fall under this category.
Cellular therapy products and Gene therapy products and Vaccines are regulated by the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) as biological products.
Comprehensive details regarding the WCM IBC and its review process, please visit the official IBC website:
Weill Cornell Medicine Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)
EHS Safety Program Manual
The EHS Safety Program Manual is a collection of safety requirements and resources, including chemical, biological, radiation and fire safety, spill planning and response, pollution prevention and waste disposal, hazardous materials transportation, and general safety.
Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan: The Weill Cornell Medicine Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Control Plan has been developed to help protect workers from the health hazards associated with occupational exposure to pathogenic organisms present in blood and other bodily fluids in accordance with the OSHA implemented regulation, “Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens", CFR 29 Part 1910.1030. More Information
Annual Hospital Training (AHT)
Effective November 2019, Clinical and General Safety training has been revised and incorporated into the Annual Hospital Training (AHT), to provide Joint Commission and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)-required training in one targeted session. Completing the program, developed by the Division of Quality and Patient Safety, ensures that all members of the WCM community are familiar with vital information including bloodborne pathogens, chemical hazard communication, and fire safety. More Information
Exposure and Accident Reporting
All puncture wounds and other exposures to blood and body fluids should be reported immediately so that the exposure can be documented and appropriate preventive measures initiated.
WCM Faculty and Staff: Workforce Health and Safety provides health assessments and post-incident/exposure medical assessments for employees. Workforce Health and Safety is open between 8 a.m and 4 p.m. on business days, and is located in the Payson House basement at 1315 York Avenue.
WCM Students: Student Health Services provides annual health assessments and post-exposure medical assessments for students. Student Health Services is open between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on business days. Report immediately to Student Health Services, located at 230 E 69th Street. More Information
Emergency Medical Assistance for WCM Students, Faculty and Staff: For more severe exposures/injuries, or injuries occurring during nights, weekends or holidays, report immediately to either:
- NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Emergency Room: walk-in entrance is located at 68th Street and York Avenue.
- NYP Emergency Medical Services: call (212) 472-2222 to have emergency medical assistance sent to your location.
Follow up with Workforce Health and Safety or Student Health Services on the next business day.
Emergency Communications
In the event of an emergency, WCM will use the Emergency Notification System (ENS) to send notifications to all students, senior WCM leadership, WCM Emergency Operations Team members and representatives from each department. More information
In addition to the ENS, emergency information providing the operational status of the campus and further instructions is communicated by:
- Emergency Information Hotline, (212) 746-9262
- Emergency Website
- Broadcast Email
Biological Waste Disposal
Information on the proper disposal of biological, regulated medical wastes (red bags, sharps and sharps containers) generated in diagnosis, treatment or immunization of humans can be found here.
Clinical Chemical Waste and Clinical Chemotherapeutic Waste
Collection and disposal of clinical chemical and chemotherapeutic waste must follow the most recent EHS updates and guides to ensure compliance with EPA regulations and the EHS chemical safety program.
Clinical Laboratory Biohazard Risk Assessments
Please contact EHS to request a biohazard risk assessment for a clinical laboratory.
EHS can conduct an infectious agent risk assessment for the laboratory and, based on this review, can develop an appropriate biosafety program that identifies the laboratory’s biosafety level(s) and incorporates the use of biosafety equipment, practices and procedures in accordance with CDC recommendations and guidance.
High Level Disinfection
Resources and annual education to assure quality assurance around high-level disinfection practices are available to all staff that perform and/or supervise high-level disinfection.