From Chinese Press

How to make mines safe

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-06-29 07:53

Most of the mine accidents can be blamed on violation of safety codes by managers. But that doesn't absolve the local supervision departments of the blame, says an article in China Youth Daily. Excerpts:

Facts revealed by the media after the recent mine disaster in Pingdingshan, Henan province, show the mine-owner broke the law by making laborers work even under impending danger.

Pingdingshan is only one example of criminal neglect of norms in pursuance of profit. The media have reported many similar cases in the past few years. The law clearly defines the safety measures to be taken in mines, and mine-owners and managers who do not take them should be made to pay for their actions.

Certain local government departments, however, are also responsible for the accidents because they have failed to identify safety problems in mines, and compel mine-owners and managers to solve them before a tragedy strikes.

Stricter supervision is needed to prevent mine disasters.

(China Daily 06/29/2010 page9)