Following are information and services that Environmental Health and Safety provides to the laboratorians:
Laboratory Safety Registration (LSR)
As required by WCM Laboratory Safety Policy, Principal Investigators are required to register their laboratories with the Environmental Health and Safety (EHS).
At WCM, Laboratory Safety Registration is not based on particular grant, project, contract, or cooperative agreement. Rather it is based on all the characteristics of the research performed in the lab by the Principal Investigators and theirs research fellows/lab members.
The Laboratory Safety Registration is composed of four parts:
- Research Safety Checklist, known as EHS Registration
- Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) Laboratory Registration (IBC Registration)
- Radiation Safety Committee (RSC) Non-Human Use Application (RSC Registration)
- Laboratory Roster
EHS Registration, IBC Registration and Laboratory Roster are applicable to all WCM Principal Investigators.
RSC Registration is applicable to WCM Principal Investigators conducting work with radioactive materials.
EHS Research Safety Checklist
The EHS Research Safety Checklist (EHS Registration) serves two important functions: (1) risk assessment for the institution which to identify and address various hazards in research, and (2) provide principal investigators with a comprehensive checklist tool for recognizing hazards and compliance issues in research.
The EHS Research Safety Checklist (EHS Registration) submission and review process takes place in the Research Safety Module within the Weill Research Getaway (also known as WRG-RS).
To initiate a new Research Safety Checklist (EHS Registration) contact Environmental Health and Safety at ehs@med.cornell.edu or (646) 962-7233.
EHS Safety Program Manual
The EHS Safety Program Manual is a collection of resources for individuals working in research laboratories. The manual includes chemical, biological, radiation and fire safety, spill planning and response, pollution prevention and waste disposal, hazardous material transportation, and general safety.
Laboratory Safety Trainings
Any person who works in a laboratory must receive laboratory safety training to become knowledgeable about potential hazards in the laboratory. Other specialized safety training programs must also be completed for those who conduct specialized work activities. Register for Training
Exposure and Accident Reporting
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 418 East 71st Street, Suite 21. 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. Map
- NYP Emergency Medical Services: call (212) 472-2222 to have emergency medical assistance sent to your location.
- In either case, be sure to 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-WCMC
- Emergency Website
- Broadcast Email
Emergency Response
This section includes a one-page Exposure and Spill Response Sign that can be posted in the laboratory near a phone. The guide provides a quick reference on actions to be taken in the event of an exposure or hazardous material spill. More detailed spill response information can be found in:
- Biological Spill Planning and Response
- Chemical Spill Planning and Response
- Radioactive Material Emergency Procedures
High Hazard Operating Procedures
All laboratory personnel who work with high hazard chemicals must be familiar with the types of hazards associated with those substances, and be competent in the safe handling and use procedures identified in the HHOP.
Laboratory Coats and Personal Protective Equipment
In order to protect against accidental spill or contact, lab coats must be worn when working in the laboratory. In addition, the laboratory personnel must wear the appropriate types and sizes of personnel protective equipment based on their laboratory hazards. Additional information regarding lab coat and laundry service is available here.
Health and Safety Door Sign Program
The health and safety door sign program has been developed to provide staff, visitors and emergency responders with pertinent information including hazard warnings, laboratory access restrictions and emergency contact information. If the laboratory does not have the door sign or it needs to be updated, please contact your Safety Advisor.
Chemical Inventory
Due to the regulatory requirements, all laboratories are required to maintain a complete inventory of all chemicals in the online Chemical Inventory System. EHS is available to help implement the system in your area. More Information
Chemical Storage
The proper segregation and storage of chemical reagents is an important safety measure because the accidental mixing of incompatible chemicals may cause fires, explosions or the production of toxic gases. More Information
Safety Data Sheets
Every laboratory is required to maintain Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) for all chemicals in their laboratory, which are readily accessible to the laboratory personnel. The SDS provides information to the laboratory personnel on the chemical make-up, use, storage, handling, emergency procedures and potential health effects related to a hazardous material during routine operation or in the event of accident.
Waste Disposal
Due to the regulatory requirements, all waste generated in laboratories, including chemical, biological, recyclable and radioactive, must be properly managed by laboratory personnel (“generators”) within their work areas prior to collection and/or disposal. The waste disposal collection request form can be found here.
Biological Safety Cabinets
Biological safety cabinets (BSC) are among the most effective, as well as the most commonly used primary containment devices in laboratories working with infectious agents. Laboratory personnel must be trained in the proper use of the BSC. Laboratories are responsible for annual third-party certifications of their biosafety cabinets. A list of biosafety cabinet certifiers is available here.
Chemical Hoods
Chemical hoods are the primary engineering control to protect laboratory personnel from volatile, airborne chemical hazards. EHS conducts annual inspections to confirm that chemical hoods are functioning properly. Laboratory personnel must confirm that chemical hoods are working properly prior to use, and contact EHS immediately whenever the chemical hood is not operating properly.
Surplus Chemical Storage
The New York Fire Department (FDNY) limits the amount of flammable liquid use and laboratory storage of flammable liquids. In order to maintain FDNY storage limits, the principle investigators and manager/supervisors can request temporary storage of excess flammable liquids with EHS.