Many of us who teach and write in the area of “research law” area are far more familiar with the regulations protecting human subjects of research than the more general safety of those who conduct research. We, and our students,…
This could have a real impact on research if the Principal Investigator is viewed as the employer than the University and could be indicted for n accident.
I have seen some really nasty accidents in labs – hot phenol spills, fluorine gas release, explosions. We had to call in the bomb squad to remove a kilogram of picric acid which had gone to dryness. If it had fallen off the shelf it would have taken out the wall and anyone nearby.
Labs are dangerous places. If the professor is held responsible, then things would change a lot. Four and a hlaf years in prison could result in a big change in how professors treat and train lab personnel.