China to blacklist firms with poor work safety management

BEIJING - China will blacklist firms with poor work safety records and restrict their business, the country's work safety watchdog said Monday.

Enterprises with records of major work safety accidents or with more than ten deaths within one year, or those which have attempted to conceal their safety record, or that have failed to improve conditions after rectification orders, have their work safety permits suspended or revoked and other illegal activities will be put on the blacklist, according to the State Administration of Work Safety (SAWS).

The government will restrict the firms' expansion through restricting their land use and financing.

The SAWS will release a blacklist before the 20th day of each quarter and will conduct random checks on blacklisted firms at least once each half year. The blacklist will expire after one year but the term will be extended to three years if the firm goes on the blacklist again.

A nationwide work safety check from August to December will cover all regions and sectors.