Laboratory Health and Safety

At Mount Sinai, we are dedicated to helping establish healthier, safer, and more productive work environments for laboratory personnel. Our team conducts pre-placement and vivarium medical clearance examinations for laboratory personnel working with research animals, biohazardous materials and organisms, and hazardous chemicals. In collaboration with laboratory managers and staff, we conduct risk assessments as well as develop and implement programs aimed at enhancing overall work quality and safety within laboratories. With unparalleled capability in process design, analysis, and data management, our team can identify organizational solutions to prevent injury and illness. We provide consultation services to determine what your company needs.

Clinical Services

Evaluation and Treatment of Work-related Injuries and Illness

Any laboratory personnel who become ill or injured at work should inform their supervisor and seek medical evaluation. Appointments for an evaluation can be made with one our medical providers by calling 1-888-702-0630. All of our physicians are board certified occupational medicine physicians authorized by the New York State Workers Compensation Board and have expertise in workers’ compensation-related medical cases.

Medical Clearances Examinations

Our board certified occupational medicine physicians conduct pre-placement and vivarium medical clearance examinations for laboratory personnel working with research animals. . Researchers working with animals face several occupational health risks, including allergic reactions, animal-related injuries such as bites or scratches, and noise exposure, as well as exposure to hazardous biological and chemical materials. Consultations, testing, immunizations and exams are specific to laboratory conditions, hazards, and animal species that each researcher encounters.

Occupational Medicine Consultation Services

Our physicians can advise on a variety of occupational health and safety decisions, provide policy and protocol review, and design work environment specific surveillance medical programs. With expertise in reproductive hazards in the workplace, we also review policy and offer recommendations for protective measures related to reproductive and women’s health.

Ergonomic Services

Ergonomics are an important part to maintaining the occupational health and safety of researchers and technicians in the laboratory environment. Our certified ergonomists evaluate laboratory environments and provide recommendations to mitigate risk of future injuries and illnesses. Services include:

• Observation, analysis, and recommendation of ergonomically sound performance of lab tasks, such as:
• • Pipetting
  • Microscopy
  • Operating microtomes and cell counters
  • Working in biosafety cabinets
  • Laboratory bench work
  • Handling animal cages and cage racks
  • Keyboarding on computer workstations
•  Equipment and tool recommendations for minimizing strain
•  Space planning and design for lab renovation projects

Industrial Hygiene

Our industrial hygienists assist with the identification and assessment of exposure risks to physical, biological and chemical hazards, and develop prevention and control systems. They can provide services related to respiratory protection, hearing conservation, laboratory chemical hygiene, hazard communication and confined space, ventilation, as well as dermal, respiratory, and hearing protective equipment fit testing.

Education and Training Services

Education is an important part of keeping workers healthy and safe. Our team of physicians and health and safety specialists conduct educational training for laboratory personnel customized to specific work environments. Topics may include biological hazard safety, hazardous material identification, and general chemical safety.

Call us at 888-702-0630 for a consultation to determine your workplace needs.