Hmmmm... this is interesting.
For a lot of us in academia, we don't have the authority nor the backing to do anything but train. Once I do that and it is documented - I am basically done. That being said, it is still very frustrating when you see blatant disregard of common safety regulations. Sometimes I feel like I am hitting my head against a very rough brick wall.
To some extent, I can see Russ's point that this may be "heavy handed", but maybe the underlining message will work?
Vivian Longacre
Instructional Support Technician
Chemistry & Biochemistry
Cal Poly State University
San Luis Obispo, CA
From: "Mary Beth Christine Koza" <MBKoza**At_Symbol_Here**EHS.UNC.EDU>
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2013 1:30:51 PM
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Judge denies three Harran defense motions
I agree with that statement.
-----Original Message-----
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU] On Behalf Of William Hoyt
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2013 4:21 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Judge denies three Harran defense motions
Wouldn't a conviction make all PIs, not just most, safer?
-----Original Message-----
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU] On Behalf Of Russell Vernon
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2013 10:41 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Judge denies three Harran defense motions
Assuming this case ends up with a conviction that stands on appeal, I expect a large brain drain out of California...
We have the ONLY state of which I am aware with a law that criminalizes failure to follow occupational health & safety code...
-Russ
Russell Vernon, Ph.D.
Director
Environmental Health & Safety
University of California, Riverside
900 University Ave
Riverside, CA 92521
www.ehs.ucr.edu
russell.vernon**At_Symbol_Here**ucr.edu
Direct (951) 827-5119
Admin (951) 827-5528
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-----Original Message-----
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU] On Behalf Of Ralph B. Stuart
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2013 4:27 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Judge denies three Harran defense motions
http://cenblog.org/the-safety-zone/
A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge today denied three defense motions that could have dismissed a criminal case against University of California, Los Angeles, chemistry professor Patrick Harran. With the rulings going against the defense, the case moves closer to trial. The judge set the next court date for Oct. 3. Harran could go to trial within 60 days of that date.
Harran faces four felony charges of violating the state labor code. The charges stem from the death of research assistant Sheharbano (Sheri) Sangji after a 2008 fire in Harran's lab. In November and December, 2012, Judge Lisa B. Lench heard testimony in a preliminary hearing on the case. She ruled in April that there was sufficient evidence to send the case to trial. After the preliminary hearing, the case was sent to Judge George G. Lomeli for trial.
Before today's hearing, Harran's attorneys submitted three motions: one asking the judge for a so-called Franks hearing, another called a demurrer, and a third to dismiss the charges based on lack of probable cause. The district attorney's office replied to each motion, and the defense then responded in writing to those replies.
More at the site above...
- Ralph
Ralph Stuart CIH
Chemical Hygiene Officer
Department of Environmental Health and Safety Cornell University
rstuart**At_Symbol_Here**cornell.edu
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805.756.2483
