Laboratory Orientation

The laboratory training programs apply to all researchers including postdoctoral trainees.

Laboratory Safety (Required for all) 

Laboratory Safety training meets researchers' training needs and combines the former Lab Chemical Safety and Disposal (Chemical Hygiene Plan) and Bloodborne Pathogens trainings into one session. This training is in compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Bloodborne Pathogens and Laboratory Standards and Environmental Protection Agency hazard waste disposal regulations. Participation is required on an annual basis under OSHA regulations for all laboratory workers including: graduate students, medical students, principal investigators, physicians, post-doctoral fellows and lab technicians.

Training Frequency

Researchers are required to complete Laboratory Safety training on an annual basis (365 days). Training records are available to confirm who has completed the EHS Laboratory Safety training with the past 12 months. Laboratory Safety training may be completed as follows:

  • Attend instructor-led Laboratory Safety training session
  • Coordinate a small group training session in the laboratory (contact EHS)
  • Complete online Laboratory Safety initial or annual refresher training as instructed below. To complete online Laboratory Safety refresher training, the researcher must have attended an initial Laboratory Safety training session.

Training Registration

Laboratory Safety training registration is administered via the Weill Training Management System (WTMS). This is inclusive of instructor-led and web-based trainings.

Additonal information on the WTMS registration process

WCM Students, Faculty, and Staff Training Registration via WTMS

C-14 Laboratory Certificate of Fitness (FDNY) 

In New York City, whenever a laboratory is in operation, a C-14 Laboratory Certificate of Fitness holder must be present. This is a Fire Department of New York (FDNY) requirement. Laboratories for each principal investigator must have a sufficient number of staff with C-14 Laboratory Certificates of Fitness to provide coverage for all times when the laboratory is in operation. We therefore encourage all postdoctoral trainees to become C-14 certified.

Training Frequency

C-14 Laboratory Certificate of Fitness training is a one-time training requirement, as long as renewals are properly maintained. C-14s that have expired may require the training to be repeated. C-14 Laboratory Certificates of Fitness may be completed as follows:

 Additional Information and Materials

 

Other specialized safety training programs must also be completed for those who conduct the following specialized work activities: 

Radiation Safety

Radiation Safety Training is required by the NYC Department of Health for all researchers and laboratory personnel handling radioactive materials, as well as those operating radiation-producing equipment.

Radiation Safety Certification Training

Researchers using radioactive materials in the laboratory must become certified by completing the Radiation Safety Certification Course before using these materials. The course provides an introduction to the fundamentals of handling radioactive materials within the context of a biological/chemical laboratory. Certificates are site specific and do not transfer to or from other institutions.

Training Frequency

A Radiation Safety Certificate is obtained once. To maintain the certificate, refresher training must be taken annually.

Radiation Safety Refresher Training

Researchers who are certified radiation users or who work in close proximity to radioactive materials are required to complete a one hour radiation safety refresher training. Refresher training is available online (see instructions below) or in person. To sign-up for in-person refresher training, please review the Instructor-led Training Schedule and use the Training Registration Form.

Training Frequency

Radiation Safety Refresher training must be completed on an annual basis (365 days). Training records are available to confirm who has completed the EHS Radiation Safety training within the past 12 months.

Radiation Safety Training Registration

Radiation Safety training is administered via the Weill Training Management System (WTMS). This is inclusive of instructor-led and web-based trainings.

Additional information on the WTMS registration process

WCM Students, Faculty, and Staff Training Registration via WTMS

 

Irradiator Training

Researchers requiring use of WCMC irradiators must complete radiation safety and operational instruction. The radiation safety review provides an introduction to the fundamentals of radiation safety and the operational training provides instructions on accessing and operating the unit.

Email ehs@med.cornell.edu to initiate the clearance and training process.

Training Frequency

Access to the irradiator is granted upon completion of operational training and clearance and is valid throughout the time spent at WCMC. Please note that clearance may take a few weeks. Escorted access to the irradiator can also be provided during the approval process.

Biological Material and Dry Ice Shipments

Biological Material and Dry Ice Shipments training for safe handling and shipping of biological materials and dry ice in compliance with regulatory agencies. The training includes general awareness and familiarization (video), function-specific training and security awareness. Participation is required once every two years for all employees, graduate students, medical students, principal investigators, physicians, nurses, technicians and post-doctoral fellows who are:

  • Packaging
  • Preparing shipping documents
  • Shipping or transporting biological materials, patient specimens, and/or dry ice

Training Frequency

Biological Material and Dry Ice Shipments training is required every two (2) years. Training records are available to confirm who has completed the EHS Biological Material and Dry Ice Shipments training with the past 24 months. Biological Material and Dry Ice Shipments training may be completed as follows: 

Training Registration

Biological Material and Dry Ice Shipments training registration is administered via the Weill Training Management System (WTMS).

Additional information on the WTMS registration process

WCM Students, Faculty, and Staff Training Registration via WTMS

 

Research Involving Animals

All new WCM Animal Users regardless of their role in the animal use project MUST complete the IACUC mandated New Investigator Orientation Curriculum. This curriculum consists of 3 online modules (Orientation Module I, II, III) and a facility tour (Orientation Module IV).

Access to the vivarium can be granted once the animal user is listed on an approved IACUC protocol, has obtained Medical Clearance for animal facility access and has completed the three online modules.

The IACUC requires that all new animal users attend a facility tour (Orientation Module IV) within the first 30 days of gaining access to the animal facility. Failure to do so will result in withdrawal of access and revocation of animal use privileges.

Depending on the nature of the IACUC-approved protocol, additional training may be required as follows:

  • RARC Rodent Survival Surgery
  • RARC Rodent Hands-On Training
  • RARC Hazardous Materials Animal User Safety Training
  • Large Animal Orientation
  • Nonhuman Primate Safety Orientation
  • Zebrafish Animal User Orientation Curriculum

Facility tours can be scheduled by contacting the EQA service at rarceqa@med.cornell.edu.

Begin the new Investigator Orientation Curriculum

 

G-97 Cryogenic Liquids Certificate of Fitness (FDNY) 

G-97 Cryogenic Liquids Certificate of Fitness (FDNY) training is part of a New York City Fire Department (FDNY) certification for supervising the storage, handling and use of cryogenic liquids for amounts that are over the FDNY permit threshold (e.g. 60 gallons). The G-97 applies to cryogenic liquids NOT stored or used in a FDNY-permitted laboratory with C-14 CoF holder. If cryogenic liquids are stored or used in a FDNY-permitted laboratory, only the C-14 CoF is required. Please contact EHS to assess if the G-97 is required. This training is offered upon request. To schedule an assessment or training, contact EHS.