My colleagues and I have investigated more than a thousand fatal and catastrophic accidents, mostly in the manufacturing and extractive industries, including some in industrial labs. We also represent staff and
faculty is several universities and colleges, so we are familiar with the safety issues in academic labs. Paul is right that the facts of each case are unique, and the matrix of causes and contributing factors is complex. However, the assignment of responsibility
is far more simple. Employers are responsible for ensuring a safe workplace. Period. That means identifying the hazards; ensuring that those hazards are addressed through adequate controls including, but not limited to, supplying PPE; and providing suitable
training that goes beyond mere procedures and conveys a deep understanding of safety. The responsibility is the same whether it's the University of California or ExxonMobil. It's true whether the employee is a chemical worker or a graduate assistant. Professor
Harran and the Regents failed to live up to their responsibilities. They were properly charged.
Further, it's accurate but misleading to say that the charges were dismissed. The charges were due to be dismissed if Prof. Harran completed the steps required by the plea agreement. To his credit, he did so
early. The judge then fulfilled the State's part of the agreement. That in no way exonerates Prof. Harran or the University.
Our own investigations are about causation and prevention, not guilt. We believe in accountability, and we support civil and criminal penalties where they are appropriate - as I would argue they are here. But
that's not our goal. The real issue is how we prevent such tragedies in the future. And from what I seen, academic labs have a ways to go. I don't know any industrial lab director who would claim that he or she is not responsible for safety. PIs are equally
responsible. We won't make progress where they don't acknowledge it.
Mike Wright
Michael J. Wright
Director of Health, Safety and Environment
United Steelworkers
412-562-2580 office
412-370-0105 cell
"My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we=E2=80™ll change the world."
Jack Layton
Oh, if only it were so simple! Why do more and more people seem to believe that things are black or white? This tragedy has been investigated so thoroughly BECAUSE
it is a very complex and unique situation. The result is not "right" or "wrong" but the sum of multiple considerations. It is overly simplistic to say that "PIs are always responsible" or to state that they should never be. The next event will be different
(and hopefully less tragic) but there will be a whole new set of considerations, another set of lawyers.... and so it goes. We can either study each event in depth and with consideration of all the arguments, or just hope that others will do so, but I do
not buy that we can or should weigh in with unconsidered generalizations.
