China has increased health checks of construction projects to
protect workers against occupational diseases.
The Ministry of Health on Wednesday issued a regulation on the
classification of occupational disease risks at construction
projects.
According to the regulation, construction projects must undergo
an evaluation of occupational disease risks before projects can
start. Any construction projects failing to meet the requirements
will be punished, the notice said. The penalties will range from
fines of 500,000 yuan (62,500 U.S. dollars) to a complete
shutdown.
Health departments at all levels must strictly carry out the
checkup procedure, the notice said.
More than 200 million Chinese people suffer from occupational
diseases, including pneumoconiosis. Pneumoconiosis, also called
black lung disease, is a respiratory illness caused by inhaling
mineral dust and is common amongst miners. It accounts for 80
percent of all occupational diseases in China with more than 20,000
new patients every year.
According to a report from the Health Ministry on occupational
diseases, coal miners suffer most from work-related diseases,
followed by workers from the chemical industry, metallurgical
industry, power industry and building materials industry.
(Xinhua News Agency October 19, 2006)