Rules for Supervision over Safety in Coal Mines IssuedTo increase the safety in coal mines as well as regulate the supervision over safety in coal mines, China's State Council has issued a regulation concerning safety in coal mines.As of December 1, individuals who fail to give a timely report of coal mine accidents, make up the scene of an accident or interfere in or reject an investigation into the accidents will be dealt with according to law, and even may hold criminal liability, says the regulation signed by Premier Zhu Rongji on November 7. Offices for supervision over safety in coal mines that are independent from the administration of the coal mines shall be founded, stipulates the regulation, noting that the offices should present regular reports on safety status in the coal mines to the national or regional coal mine safety administrations twice a month. The regulation lays down that the supervisor has the right to order the coal mine to eliminate hidden dangers, even to immediately close down the coal mine in some emergent cases. The supervision office is also responsible for inspecting facilities for coal mining, such as equipment, apparatuses, instruments, labor insurance articles and ensuring that they are in line with the national standards or the standards of the mining industry. The regulation, comprising five chapters and 50 articles, was enacted in line with relevant provisions of the Coal Law and the Mineral Resources Law. |
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