Student’s death causes outrage

Re “UCLA cited for ‘serious’ violations in fatal lab fire,” May 5

The blatant disregard for safety at UCLA is the standard for too many employers. It’s cheaper to violate workplace safety laws in California than comply.

And why not: OSHA is almost nonexistent, insurance pays only cents on the dollar of a claim and state laws generally prevent an injured worker or their family from suing.

Can somebody please tell me why workplace safety law isn’t a part of the public school curriculum?

Joe Turner

Irvine

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I was appalled when I read about the death of 23-year-old Sheri Sangji.

Her UCLA professor should have been fired, not just reprimanded.

He also should be required to pay the $31,875 fine that Cal/OSHA presented to UCLA. Why should we California taxpayers have to foot the bill to cover UCLA’s fines? It hired a sloppy, careless professor.

And if UCLA can pay millions of dollars to hire football and basketball coaches, it shouldn’t have any problem buying appropriate tools, such as an inert atmosphere glove box for chemistry students working with chemicals like t-butyl lithium.

Thomas Novinson

Ventura