China's safety watchdog on Monday released the results of
investigations into the molten aluminium spill in east China's
Shandong Province which killed 16 people and called for intensified
supervision in the metallurgy and non-ferrous metal industries to
prevent such fatal accidents.
According to the circular released by the State Administration
of Work Safety, the container of molten aluminium was designed by
unqualified Shangdong Weiqiao Aluminium Electricity Co. Ltd. with
"serious defects".
The factory was also responsible for the accident because it
failed to establish the product lines in accordance with the
original design and evacuate workers on the scene in time, said the
circular.
The safety watchdog required enterprises engaged in relevant
industries to hire qualified designers for their projects and
arrange construction in strict accordance with plans.
These enterprises should organize special investigations to find
hidden trouble in the work place and supervise the entire
production process, said the circular.
On August 19, the accident occurred as workers gathered for a
morning meeting in an aluminium plant affiliated to the Weiqiao
Pioneering Group Co., Ltd. in Zouping. It killed 16 people and
injured 59 with a direct economic loss estimated to reach over 6.6
million yuan (about US$860,000).
(Xinhua News Agency August 28, 2007)