Over 33,800 Chinese died in workplace accidents in six months
By IANSFriday, July 23, 2010
BEIJING - Workplace accidents have left 33,876 people dead in China in the first half of this year, Xinhua reported Friday quoting the country’s work safety watchdog.
The number of deaths in workplace accidents was 4,174 less than in 2009, an 11-percent year-on-year drop, the State Administration of Work Safety said.
There were about 187 deaths daily in the first half of 2010.
The State Council issued a circular Friday urging the local governments to improve their safety supervision, particularly in mines, transportation and construction industries.
“Although the number of workplace accidents is decreasing year-on-year, the situation remains very grave,” said the circular, which was posted on the central government’s website.
State-owned mine officials and private mine owners must work underground with miners and those who fail will be fined, the circular said.
Also, all mines must use appropriate safety equipment, including position locating systems and emergency telecommunication devices for miners working underground, it said.
Additionally, the Chinese government is to create national rescue teams in coal-producing regions with the support of the central budget, said the circular.
