Deadly fire sparks work safety concerns

One week, three fires

The fire is the third major work safety accident to occur in northeast China in the past week and one of the most deadly in recent years.

On Sunday, an oil tank explosion in neighboring Liaoning province left two people dead and another two missing.

A tank containing diesel oil residue exploded around 2:20 pm at a PetroChina outlet in the port city of Dalian, causing a nearby tank to burst into flames.

Two explosions were heard at an oil refinery in Dalian in Northeast China in the afternoon of June 2, 2013. After the blasts, heavy black smoke was seen billowing into the sky. [Liu Debin / Asianewsphoto]

Although environmental authorities said nearby seawater has not been polluted, some residential communities were affected by fumes. Oil barriers have been erected in waters near the factory as a precaution and the local government has advised nearby residents to close their windows.

In Heilongjiang province, located north of Jilin, a fire raged through a large grain storage center last Friday, causing tremendous economic losses, although no casualties were reported.

The blaze, which occurred in Huayuan Township in Lindian County, was first spotted at one barn around 1:15 pm. Strong winds and high temperatures helped it eventually spread to another 80 barns.

It is estimated that about 1,000 tonnes of grain were consumed in the fire.

An investigation has shown that sparks from a broken wire ignited reed mats and sacks near the barn, triggering the fire.

On Monday, nine people, including the barn's manager, were charged with criminal negligence.

Work safety challenges

Enterprises' willingness to flout work safety laws, as well as the negligence of local work safety supervisors, have led to frequent industrial accidents in China, particularly in the country's mining industry.

The government has taken stricter measures to improve safety at workplaces, lowering casualties over the years. However, heavy fatalities from accidents like the fire in Jilin indicate that the outlook for workplace safety remains bleak.

President Xi Jinping vowed last Friday to deepen a national safety campaign, adding that safety is a basic requirement for people's happiness and health, as well as for national development.

At a Friday conference for "Safe China," a national campaign to ensure civilian and national security, Xi called for more efforts to solve "deep-rooted" safety issues in a systematic, integrated and lawful manner to ensure people's livelihoods, social order and the country's long-term stability.

However, observers say China has a long way to go to ensure work safety.

The sprawling expansion of cities has brought more plants closer to the residential areas, posing safety hazards to the populace. In addition, the development of China's work safety measures has lagged behind the growth of its economy.

To avoid more tragedies, experts said safety rules must be followed strictly. In the meantime, workplace supervision must be fully carried out in order to protect workers' lives, experts said.

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