China’s work safety improves in the first half this year

The State Information Office has held a press conference this morning. The Director of State Administration of Work Safety, Yang Dongliang, said China's workplaces appear to have become safer in the first half of this year. There were sharp declines in serious accidents and resulting deaths.

"From January to May this year, the number of major work accidents dropped 33 percent year on year in the first quarter, while the death toll from those accidents dived 42.6 percent. In total there are 16 major severe accidents till May 20. The number of coal mine accidents dropped 19 percent in the same period and their death toll dropped 37.9 percent," said Yang Dongliang, director of the State Administration of Work Safety.

Yang says this improvement follows intensified efforts to ensure work safety, in sectors including coal mining, transport, and the production of dangerous chemicals and fireworks. But he warns serious challenges remain.

The director called for more efforts to make coal mines safer in 50 key counties, to implement safety measures for production of dangerous chemicals and fireworks, and to intensify pipeline and transport safety.

Lawmakers are also addressing the issue. For the first time, the NPC Standing Committee deliberated a draft amendment to the workplace safety law at its bimonthly session this February. Lawmakers called for a clear definition and division of liabilities concerning workplace safety.

The bill holds that the employer bears the first and foremost responsibility to protect workplace safety. The bill increases fines for a number of types of malpractice. Some lawmakers argued the law should also resort to criminal prosecution.