The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, is stepping up legislation on work safety.
The draft Law on Work Safety was submitted for the third reviewat the 28th meeting of the Ninth National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee.
Li Boyong, vice-chairman of the NPC Law Committee, reported theamendment of work safety law.
The Standing Committee, during its last review, noted that improvements in work safety should be supported by more investment.
Li said that to prevent major accidents and to improve work safety, investment must be increased.
The draft also proposes to pursue legal liabilities in the use of out-dated techniques or equipment that endangered safety.
The draft also urged better protection measures and better training for work staff.
Fatal accidents related to work safety have become the number one cause of accidental deaths of Chinese workers.
The draft also stated that workers who violate work safety rules should be punished accordingly. Where a major accident happens and a crime is constituted, criminal liabilities shall be pursued according to relevant provisions of the criminal code.
The trade unions are also entitled to the right to supervise safety facilities and conditions on construction projects, according to the draft.