Environmental Health and Safety

FAQ

Can equipment or furniture be stored in a corridor, and what are the restrictions?

Generally, items should not be stored in corridors. Certain equipment (lab refrigerators, metal enclosed file cabinets, etc.) may be stored in approved corridors under the following conditions:

  1. All items in any particular corridor are placed along one side of the corridor only, with the other side kept clear for emergency evacuation.
  2. An 18-inch clearance, from the top of any storage to the ceiling, to prevent interfering with the sprinkler system operation, is maintained.
  3. Do not block fire exits or entrance doors.
  4. A clearance of three feet around all safety showers is maintained.
  5. A minimum corridor width of 44 inches at any point for occupant movement/evacuation is maintained
  6. No work with any stored chemical or biological material is allowed.

For further clarification, please review the PDF icon EHS Corridor Safety and Emergency Egress Update.

During the winter my work area gets cold; can I use a space heater?

Space heaters are not allowed at WCM. For more information, please read the Engineering & Maintenance Space and Temperature Setpoint Standard.

There is a safety shower in the corridor outside my work area. Can I store equipment next to the safety shower, and are there any requirements I need to consider?

Generally, safety showers should be accessible and visible from all vantage points. There should be a clear path to the shower and adequate clearance around the shower. A sign identifying the shower should be posted conspicuously, and visible from all vantage points. Based on these criteria, the following can serve as a guideline for storage in the vicinity of a safety shower:

  • A minimum clearance of three feet should be maintained around the safety shower.
  • Items stored should not present an obstruction to access or shower operation.
  • Stored items should not block or obscure the safety shower signage from any vantage point.

Can we use electrical extension cords in our work area and run them through a cable organizer to prevent people from tripping over wires?

EHS discourages the use of electrical extension cords as a general practice. Extension cords expose occupants to additional shock hazards as an additional point of contact where electrical plugs can come loose from the extension cord. Additionally, the connector point is on the floor where water can come in contact with the extension cord. We also discourage the use of flexible cable organizers because wires can be worn or deteriorate over time as occupants walk on the conduit. Because the wires are hidden, worn electrical wires can go unnoticed and cause an electrical short which can lead to a fire. The best solution is to contact Facilities to conduct a survey, properly evaluate your power needs, and engineer a solution.

My lab is looking to purchase an industrial tool (e.g. drill press, bench grinder). Is safety information available for this type of equipment?

EHS has developed the PDF icon Physical Hazards of Machinery and Equipment Update to address safety concerns with this type of equipment. This update details the hazards in working with this type of equipment, and provides safe work practices, guarding requirements, and guidance on inspection and training.

What are the storage requirements for acetylene and oxygen compressed gas cylinders on a construction site?

Except when in use, oxygen cylinders must be separated from fuel-gas cylinders or combustible materials (especially oil or grease), by a minimum distance of 20 feet (6.1 meters) or by a noncombustible barrier at least five feet (1.5 meters) high with a fire-resistance rating of at least one-half hour. Store cylinders upright and secure them with a chain, strap or cable to a stationary building support (e.g., structural beam). Regulators must be removed and valve protection caps in place and secured whenever cylinders are not in use.

Inside of buildings, cylinders must be stored in a well-protected, well-ventilated, dry location. Compressed gas cylinders are to be stored in assigned places away from elevators, stairs, or gangways. Assigned storage places shall be located where cylinders will not be knocked over or damaged by passing or falling objects, or subject to tampering by unauthorized persons. Cylinders shall not be kept in unventilated enclosures such as lockers or cupboards.

What should I do if I see dust coming from the construction areas into corridors or other areas?

Contractors are required to provide dust barriers to contain construction dust inside the work area. Sometimes, even with precautions in place, dust gets outside the work site into adjacent occupied areas. If you notice dirt or dust coming from a construction area, please contact EHS to report the condition. EHS will conduct an assessment of the condition and follow up with the contractor representatives and WCMC project manager to ensure the issue is resolved.

What is ASHRAE 110 fume hood certification and who can provide ASHRAE 110 certification?

ASHRAE 110 is a quantitative method of certifying laboratory fume hood capture efficiency. As per the EHS laboratory design specifications, all newly installed fume hoods must be ASHRAE-110-certified by a third party vendor. For your convenience, several vendors are listed below.

Laboratory Safety Services

Laboratory Safety Services provides ASHRAE 110 fume hood certification and biological safety cabinet certification for the college.

Contact

Susan LaPointe
6 Maple Court
Butler, NJ 07405
Phone: (973) 283-1900
Fax: (973) 283-1960
smlapointe@optonline.net

ENV Services (formerly MRL Laboratories)

ENV Services provides discount services to WCMC for ASHRAE 110 fume hood certification and biological safety cabinet certification.

Contact

Larry Hafkin or Ron Benoit
(800) 292-5255
www.envservices.com

TSS

TSS provides discount services to WCMC for ASHRAE 110 fume hood certification and biological safety cabinet certification.

Contact

John Dalto
(866) 536-5656
www.techsafety.com

Why do I see construction workers wearing hard hats, safety glasses and yellow vests as well as fall protection full body harnesses throughout WCM construction sites?

These are OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) required PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and PFP (Personal Fall Protection) standards for the protection of workers. More importantly, WCM requires workers working within our facilities to be safe and protected from injury, as we have required these workers be trained to be observant of the safety policies and standards set forth for projects. Trainings include OSHA 10-Hour, FDNY certificates of fitness, scaffold safety cards and HAZWOPER, among others. A safe worker creates a safe environment for pedestrians, staff and patients walking adjacent to WCM construction locations

Contact Us

Go to the staff directory for individual contacts within EHS. You may also use the Weill Cornell Medicine online directory to search for faculty and staff.

Create an EHS Incident

 

Weill Cornell Medicine Environmental Health and Safety 1300 York Avenue
Room LC006 New York, NY 10065 Phone: (646) 962-7233 Fax: (646) 962-0288