Health and Safety Procedures

Safety, Chemical Hygiene, and Environmental Compliance

Department safety, chemical hygiene and environmental compliance programs are coordinated by the safety manager. These programs include chemical inventory and surplus management, periodic inspections of all laboratories, shops and other facilities; mandatory safety orientations for new members of the department and continuing training programs.

A library of laboratory health and safety references can be found in 121 Baker Laboratory.

A faculty safety committee serves the department chair in an advisory capacity and proposes policies for faculty review. Each principal investigator is responsible for safety within the research group and appoints a group safety representative (GSR). The GSR acts as a liaison to the safety manager and committee, and assists the PI in implementing safe practices.

Procedures and policies specific to the department can be found on the Chemistry Department Safety Blog.

Additional safety information can be found on the Physical Sciences Complex blog site.

New User Orientation, Keys and Card Access

Individuals seeking access to department spaces must complete the CULEARN course “PSCFM 7010-WBT-2017.09.01 – Physical Sciences Complex Orientation”. This course is an on-line survey that will guide prospective users through the training and safety assessments necessary to work safely in the laboratories or offices within the complex. The survey and safety assessment must be completed with assistance from your supervisor or lab group safety representative (GSR). A list of the current GSR’s, can be found here.
Based responses to questions in the survey, the user will be provided a list of required training that must be completed prior to beginning work. Once the survey has been completed, a notification will be sent to the department’s Learning Group Administrator (LGA) who will verify the user’s training.
Users who are requesting keys or key-card access to spaces must provide a completed request form to the key administrator in order to obtain keys or card access.
Explore available training opportunities through CU LEARN.

Waste Chemicals

Federal, state and university regulations require that all waste chemicals generated in the Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology be disposed of properly. The primary responsibility for waste disposal lies with the generator of the waste. Chemicals that may be disposed of in the trash or down the drain are listed in the waste disposal section of the Chemical Hygiene Plan. Properly packaged, identified and labeled waste chemicals not eligible for drain or trash disposal will be picked up by Cornell Environmental Health and Safety. Research groups generating significant quantities of waste are on a weekly pickup schedule; others should complete this form to request a pickup. Information concerning waste disposal is available from EH&S, 607-255-8200.