Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) is responsible for developing, maintaining, and promoting policies, procedures and programs necessary to maintain a safe and healthy environment for students, faculty, staff and the visiting public; to work with other Medical Center entities to protect the College against losses; and to ensure that College operations are in compliance with Federal, New York State and New York City environmental health and safety codes and regulations.

In addition EHS provides services in support of the College's teaching, research and clinical mission. It coordinates the provision programs and services to reduce safety, health and environmental risks to the Weill Cornell Medical College in a manner consistent with fiscal and environmental stewardship.

It takes appropriate steps to ensure that problems that are identified are timely resolved. It coordinates reviews by and responses to external agencies many of which have the authority to cite, impose civil penalties, restrict or rescind operations, or remove or disapprove accreditation. It serves as Biological and Chemical Safety Office by coordinating a comprehensive College biosafety and chemical safety program. It provides an emergency response for the College to situations that may include the handling of hazardous materials and/or exposure to fire scenes.