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Laboratory Operations Continuity

Cornell Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) provides comprehensive guidance for maintaining safe and sustainable research and teaching laboratory operations during periods of transition or disruption. Whether due to public health concerns, labor actions, or institutional decisions, laboratory safety remains the top priority.

This guide helps research and teaching laboratory supervisors assess, plan, and implement safety measures while adapting to changing circumstances.

Preplanning for Safety Before a Work Stoppage

Before a work stoppage proactive safety measures should be taken to ensure that laboratories remain secure and compliant.

Essential Safety Tasks

  • Ensure gloveboxes have sufficient inert gas to prevent contamination.
  • Check cryogen storage dewars and ensure liquid nitrogen levels are sufficient.
  • Test chemicals that can form peroxides—alert EHS for disposal if needed.
  • Submit hazardous waste pickup requests for chemical, biological, and radiological waste.
  • Test and flush all eyewash stations to maintain emergency readiness.
  • Ensure door signs (HASP) are updated with current personnel contact information.
  • Reduce orders of perishable research materials to prevent unnecessary waste and accumulation of hazardous materials.
  • Inform EHS if storage or containment issues could create hazardous conditions.
  • Plan for reduced lab activity and reassign critical safety tasks accordingly.

Should Your Lab Continue, Reduce, or Ramp Down Operations?

Research and teaching laboratories must determine whether to continue full operations, reduce activity, or ramp down. This decision should be made with a safety-first approach based on the following considerations:

Decision Matrix for Lab Operations

CategoryContinue Operations ✅Reduce Activity ⚠️Ramp Down ❌
Animal/Plant CareRequired for welfare & regulatory compliance.Reduce breeding or non-essential experiments.Minimal care only, as per IACUC/CARE guidance.
Time-Sensitive ExperimentsEssential for ongoing research; pausing would cause significant data loss.Slow down non-critical processes.Postpone experiments that can be safely restarted later.
Chemicals & Hazardous MaterialsUse only if safety supervision is maintained and personnel are properly trained.Minimize use; ensure proper labeling and secure storage.Secure all hazardous materials, update chemical inventory, and discontinue use.
High-Risk Equipment & ProceduresContinue only with trained personnel and proper oversight.Limit to essential work; delay high-risk operations where possible.Shut down and secure equipment; deactivate energy sources where needed.
Teaching LabsMust continue if required for coursework, with instructor-led safety oversight.Consider remote adaptations or modified schedules.Cancel or reschedule if in-person learning is not required.
Research Data & Digital SecurityContinue active data collection and backups.Ensure secure access controls; restrict new non-essential data collection.Backup all data, secure sensitive records, and restrict lab access.

🔗 Laboratory Shutdown and Ramp-Down Checklist

Additional Safety & Compliance Considerations

  • Ensure backup personnel, including temporary staff, have completed:
    • EHS safety training
    • ORIA (Office of Research Integrity & Assurance) requirements which include research compliance training before assuming safety-critical tasks
    • Facility-specific or hands-on lab-specific training
  • In addition to training, personnel may need to be formally added to protocols for:
    • IBC (Institutional Biosafety Committee)
    • IACUC (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee)
    • IRB (Institutional Review Board)
    • Radiation Safety Committee
    • Other relevant SOPs or research protocols
  • Greenhouse & Plant Care-Specific Guidance:
    • Researchers using Cornell AES Greenhouse or Growth Chamber facilities must promptly communicate any change in plans or contact personnel to their AES supervisor and plant care teams. This ensures proper support and continued care of research materials.
    • New staff involved in plant care must review the Cornell AES Greenhouse and Growth Chamber Use Policy, which outlines expectations and responsibilities.
    • Faculty and staff, including backup personnel who will be in research greenhouse/field spaces must have current Federal Worker Protection Standard training. Training is offered weekly.
  • Security & Risk Compliance:
    • In some cases, where a security risk assessment is needed, changes may take up to 90 days for approval.
    • If new personnel require clearance or restricted area access, initiate approvals as early as possible to avoid delays.

Supply Chain & Ordering Disruptions

Research operations depend on reliable access to materials and supplies. Plan ahead, but follow safety-first principles when managing lab inventory.

Best Practices for Lab Orders

  • Order essential materials early, but do not stockpile hazardous chemicals, biologicals, or radiologicals.
  • Verify lead times with suppliers for critical research materials.
  • Coordinate gas deliveries with Airgas in advance—confirm alternate delivery plans if needed.
  • Maintain records of incoming shipments and expected delays.

What to Avoid

  • 🚫 Do not over-order perishable or hazardous materials—excess inventory increases safety risks.
  • 🚫 Avoid unnecessary purchases of compressed gases, cryogens, or volatile reagents.
  • 🚫 Do not store excess chemicals in non-designated or unauthorized storage areas.
  • 🚫 Never exceed Maximum Allowable Quantities (MAQ) for flammable or hazardous materials.

🔗 Chemical & Hazardous Materials Inventory Guidelines

Working Alone and Safety Monitoring

Whenever possible, laboratory personnel should avoid working alone when conducting research, especially when experiments involve hazardous substances and procedures. Please see the university 🔗 Guidelines for Working Alone Safely

  • Expect fewer personnel in the lab or field and plan accordingly.
  • Define acceptable vs. high-risk tasks—prohibit high-hazard work alone.
  • Use the RAVE Guardian Safety Timer System:
    • Set a timer when working in labs.
    • Include location details in timer notes.
    • Ensure Guardians know response procedures.

Role of Unit Facility Directors

  • Ensure utilities and lab services remain operational.
  • Monitor and report safety concerns to EHS.
  • Encourage departments to update laboratory signage and safety plans.
  • Conduct periodic safety walkthroughs and report maintenance issues.
  • Maintain normal security protocols for academic spaces.

Resources and Support

Environment, Health and Safety is available through askEHS@cornell.edu 

For questions about your research or teaching animals, please contact the Center for Animal Resources and Education care@cornell.edu 

Safety Oversight Committees

Maintain communication with relevant committees for protocol changes. If personnel roles change, amend protocols:

Emergency Contacts

  • Emergency: 📞 911
  • Cornell Police: 📞 607-255-1111
  • Environment, Health and Safety (EHS): 📞 607-255-8200
  • CARE Pager: 📞 1-800-349-2456