The State Administration of Work Safety, or SAWS, has released new policies to improve coal mine safety and security. The measures announced Tuesday morning will officially be implemented on October 7th.

According to the new regulations, mine owners, managing officials, and deputy chief engineers are required to work underground at least five times every month, with each shift lasting as long as those of miners. Employees will have the privilege of refusing to work without being accompanied by officials.

Meanwhile, authorities can not dismiss them, or cut their salaries. If an accident occurs without officials underground, the coal mine will be fined up to 5 million yuan, and the individuals in charge will be fined 80 percent of their previous year's salary at most. For the most critical accidents, the mines in question will be shut down, and the owners will be banned from managing coal mines.

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