Govt tightens safety rules for worksites

Tougher safety regulations for worksites will come into force tomorrow in a bid to cut the number of major accidents caused by sub-standard machinery and equipment.

The Regulation on Safety Supervision for Special Equipment, first implemented in 2003, has been revised to tighten measures and also maps out the procedures for government probes into incidents, which are now divided into four categories.

It states the "most serious accidents" - 30 deaths, at least 100 injuries or a financial loss of more than 100 million yuan ($14 million) - will be investigated directly by the State Council, while local governments will assist and help victims get compensation from insurance firms.