Following a UCLA laboratory fire that resulted in the death of a research assistant, laboratory procedures are undergoing an investigation led by the Division of Occupational Safety and Health, said Phil Hampton, a university spokesman.
The chemical fire occurred on Dec. 29, 2008 while the UCLA research assistant, 22-year-old Sheharbano Sangji was working with the highly flammable compound t-butyl lithium. The fire ignited when the stopper of her syringe came undone.
Sangji was left with second- and third-degree burns on more than 40 percent of her body, and she died from subsequent complications on January 16.
The Division of Occupational Safety and Health, also known as Cal/OSHA, investigates whenever a serious accident in the work place occurs in the state, Hampton said in an e-mailed statement. He said UCLA officials notified the organization on the day of Sangji’s accident.
“Until OSHA completes the investigation, it is not appropriate to talk about the details of the events leading up to the tragic death of Sheri,” Hampton said.
Patrick Harran, a professor of chemistry and biochemistry, runs the research laboratory where the accident leading to Sangji’s death occurred.
Though unable to respond to specific questioning, Harran said in the statement that he is heartbroken over Sangji’s death.
He added, “Sheri’s death is a tragedy that has left her friends, colleagues and coworkers here in our department devastated.”
Following Sangji’s death, Chancellor Gene Block sent an e-mail to the UCLA community detailing the implementation of new safety inspection procedures by the UCLA Office of Environment Health & Safety.
Block emphasized UCLA’s commitment to the safety of students, faculty and staff who work in campus labs, and Hampton said in the statement that UCLA has made a number of changes following the lab safety program review.