Vice-Premier Wants Safety in Production

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, January 01, 2002

Vice-Premier Wants Safety in Production

Vice-Premier Wu Bangguo stressed Monday that steps need to be taken to curb the occurrence of serious accidents in industrial production.

Vice-Premier Wu Bangguo stressed Monday that steps need to be taken to curb the occurrence of serious accidents in industrial production.

Wu, also chairman of the Committee for Safety in Production under the State Council, said that the overall situation for safety in industrial production has been greatly improved this year.

The number of serious accidents each claiming more than 10 lives dropped 22 percent, and the casualties in serious accidents decreased by 30 percent, compared with 2000, Wu said at the secondplenary meeting of the committee in Beijing.

He said that the number of serious accidents and casualties in coal mines this year fell 38 percent and 31 percent respectively. There were two serious fires, claiming 38 lives, down 77 percent and 92 percent respectively than last year.

This year, the number of fireworks explosions and casualties dropped by 23 percent and 43 percent. There were no serious accidents in the railway and aviation sectors.

Wu said that the improvement is the result of China's strengthened efforts for safety in industrial production. These efforts included the establishment of the Committee for Safety in Production under the State Council, implementation of a series of laws and regulations, and rectification of production of fireworks,road and water transportation, coal mines and dangerous chemicals.

More than 237,000 production and retail sites for explosive substances have been blocked. Nearly 60,000 small coal mines have been shut down in recent years, Wu said.

However, he said that the total number of casualties in variousaccidents increased in 2001 with over 80 percent being traffic accidents. The number of water traffic accidents also increased sharply.

Private industries are the weak point for safety in industrial production. About 74 percent of the serious accidents in industrial and mining entierprises occurred in the private sector,said Wu.

He pointed out that some accidents in industrial production were related to corrupt officials who blocked punishment of those responsible for the accidents.

He stressed that China will focus on the management of coal mines, dangerous chemicals, road and water transportation in 2002,and will close more small workshops and retailers of explosives and fireworks.

Those who are responsible for industrial production accidents will be severely punished according to laws and regulations, he said.

Wu called on all the regions and departments concerned to take responsibility and work out plans as soon as possible to guaranteesafety in industrial production.

He also warned related departments to be on the alert for accidents during the New Year and Spring Festival holidays.

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