Coal mine accidents are often in the spotlight for their frequency and high death tolls. But work safety issues are not limited to mines and it is not only miners and migrant workers who are affected by work safety issues, although they are often the victims. Work safety issues cover nearly every aspect of our lives from our own homes to social and work environments like pubs and offices. Have you ever thought of the "Spiderman" who cleans your window without any protective measures as you sit in your office? When you use electronic devices, have you considered that workers who assemble them may suffer from occupational diseases?

Officials have discussed various reasons as to why the frequency of accidents in China is the highest in the world. But the point is that we must find a way to eliminate, or at least lessen the frequency of, accidents and make lives safer.

Increased supervision needed

Numerous laws and regulations have been developed in response to the safety situation. For example, Law on Work Safety has been in effect since June 2002. But there is a lack of complete implementation and efficient supervision of the enforcement. Past lessons tell us factory bosses may be reluctant to take action to protect workers because often their main concern is to make money with as little investment as possible. The government and the unions, therefore, should be responsible for supervision. Too often fines are valued more highly than taking effective measures to supervise work safety conditions and personal interests are prioritized over adhering to the law. If this continues, tragedies will inevitably occur again and again.

Enhanced training program required

The deputy director of the State Administration of Work Safety once said, "Studies show that more than 90 percent of work place accidents were caused by human errors." He attributed the errors and accidents to people's lack of work safety awareness and knowledge.

Although I believe the causes cannot be summarized merely as lack of awareness and knowledge, I agree with the director that training of work place safety is of great importance. When we are unable to change the environment we are working in, we have to know how to protect ourselves and minimize the risks involved.

As stressed by the director, an effective nationwide training program of work place safety should be in place immediately to improve workers' knowledge and awareness of safety issues.

Anyway, we have to do something. NOW!

The author is a lecturer of English in Qingdao University of Science and Technology and visiting scholar in School of Journalism and Communication, Tsinghua University.