EHS biosafety personnel provide guidance and assistance in implementing biosafety programs, and review safety procedures in accordance with Weill Cornell Medicine safety programs and the requirements of federal, state and local agencies.
Principal investigators and laboratory personnel should consult the 
Research Biosafety Manual for guidance on the safe conduct of biomedical research.
COVID-19 Research Biosafety Resources
To help support laboratories conducting COVID-19 related research, EHS has prepared the following biosafety resources (please note that you will need to log in with your CWID and password to access):
- SARS-CoV-Lab Contamination Prevention Guide
- Biosafety Considerations for Handling SARS-CoV-2 Patient Samples
- Previous Work Experience Form
- BSL-2 Enhanced Trainee Checklist
- BSL-2 Virology Training Checklist
- BSL-2 Enhanced SOP Template
- Approved Sample Inactivation Procedure(s)
- SARS-CoV-2 and IBC requirements under the NIH Guidelines
- American Biological Safety Association Considerations for Handling Potential SARS-CoV-2 Samples
- American Biological Safety Association- SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 TOOLBOX
- WRG Lab Registration Guide
If you have any questions or need assistance with the guidance in these resources, please contact us at 646-962-7233 or ehs@med.cornell.edu.
Other Resources
The Weill Cornell Medicine Research Biosafety Manual is based on the following publications:
- CDC/NIH: Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) 6th Edition
- NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules
- Arthropod Containment Guidelines (Version 3.2)
- WHO Laboratory Biosafety Manual 4th Edition (2020)
All research and clinical laboratory staff working with human cells and tissues are required to follow the policies and guidelines established by the WCMC Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan in accordance with the:
All research involving the potential use of select agents and toxins must first be approved by Environmental Health and Safety and the Institutional Biosafety Committee. If you intend to start select agent work, please contact EHS.
Shipping and receiving animals and animal-derived materials, infectious or biohazardous agents, biological toxins and genetically modified organisms may require the approval of both domestic and foreign federal agencies. Regulations that govern the transfer of biological materials help to minimize or eliminate the possible threats to public health and agriculture. Please refer to the Biological Material and Dry Ice Shipment Manual for guidance and training requirements.
Weill Cornell Medicine biological spill planning and response guidelines have been prepared to assist personnel in determining the necessary steps to respond to a biological spill properly.
The WCM Waste Disposal Manual provides guidance and details on proper handling and disposal of biological waste/Regulated Medical Waste (RMW), in accordance with federal, state and local regulations.
Related Links
- EHS- Good Microbiological Practices Poster
- Animal Disease Information: Technical Fact Sheets
- NSF Biosafety Cabinetry Program
- CDC Lab Training (Virtual Reality) VR: Biosafety Cabinet Edition
- Pathogen Safety Data Sheets and Risk Assessment (Public Health Agency of Canada)
- Working with Human, NHP and Other Mammalian Cells and Tissues
- CDC Etiologic Agent Import Permit Program
- Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) 6th Edition
- USAMRMC Researcher Resources
- NYP Infection Prevention & Control Manual
- NYP High-Level Disinfection
- NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules
- Novel and Exceptional Technology and Research Advisory Committee
- DEC - Guidance for Regulated Medical Waste Treatment, Storage, Containment, Transport and Disposal
- DOH - Managing Regulated Medical Waste
- Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
- Biotechnology Permits (USDA)
- NIH Flow Cytometry Interest Group (FCIG)
- Commercial Invoice/Itemized List of Contents