Officials responsible for delays in reporting work-related accidents could be jailed or lose their jobs under a new law formulated in central China's Henan Province.
The regulation stipulates that all accidents leading to death or injury should be reported to the provincial industrial safety center within 24 hours, severe cases resulting three to nine dead within 12 hours and those with at least 10 dead within six hours.
Work-unit officials who delay reports, hold back or give false information, destroy the accident site or relative evidence would receive administrative or criminal punishment as would government officials responsible.
Henan Province is China's second largest coal producer and frequently suffers mining accidents.
Li Jiucheng, director of the provincial bureau in charge of industrial safety, said delays in reporting accidents in the past directly hindered rescue work and increased the loss of lives and property.
Meanwhile, in order to prevent accidents, possible safety risks in the province have been recorded and officials have been designated to monitor their gradual removal.
(Xinhua News Agency March 3, 2003)
