UPTE Fights for Lab Safety In Wake of Young Chemist's Death

Sheri Sangji was 23 years old, a bright, talented young woman with twinkling brown eyes and a joyful spirit. A science enthusiast who dreamed of being a lawyer, she took a job in a UCLA biochemistry lab while applying to law schools.

On Dec. 29, 2008, a chemical spill engulfed Sangji in flames, badly burning nearly half her body. She died 18 excruciating days later. She is one of more than 5,000 workers in the United States who are killed or fatally injured on the job every year.

Sangji, who was a member of UPTE-CWA Local 9119, was transferring a flammable chemical from one container to another when it spilled and ignited her clothing.

After months of investigations, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health faulted UCLA for failing to properly train Sangji or ensure that she was wearing protective clothing. Cal-OSHA fined the university $31,875.

For UPTE-CWA, that is only the beginning. The local is calling for an overhaul of safety and health standards and of the university's attitude toward them.

"This horrible incident has propelled UPTE to tackle safety and health concerns with renewed vigor to ensure that another such accident never happens," UPTE-CWA President Jelger Kalmijn said in a message to members. "Many researchers don't have adequate training about the huge diversity of hazardous materials they work with. Many are not provided with adequate safety measures and protective equipment. Our members often work alongside students, visiting researchers and others who have even less training and knowledge about workplace hazards."

In the wake of the tragedy, UPTE-CWA created a safety and health committee. Members met with a UCLA vice chancellor and afterwards the school appointed a lab worker represented by UPTE to the campus Lab Safety Committee.

"We have had significant input on policy review and a new policy," said Rita Kern, a member of the UPTE safety and health committee. "We are pushing forward, demanding improvements and compliance, in spite of faculty resistance."

Kern said the committee has reviewed stacks of reports, supported Sangji's family in contesting the university's appeal to Cal-OSHA, is training people on how to file Cal-OSHA complaints and has attended Cal-OSHA meetings and lab inspections.

In April, committee members represented Sangji in the Los Angeles Workers' Memorial Day parade. In January, they will hold a memorial marking the anniversary of her death.

"We are determined and committed to making sure no one forgets Sheri and the tragedy of her avoidable death," Kern said. "Toward that end we keep working to create a safety culture at UCLA and hold the university accountable for its responsibility to provide a safe workplace for all employees."

Photo Caption: While working at a bio-chemistry lab at UCLA, Sheri Sangji died following a chemical spill that produced a horrific fire.