China reports fewer workplace accidents in first 3 quarters

BEIJING, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- China posted sound workplace safety records in the first three quarters, with the number of both accidents and casualties dropping from a year earlier, according to the Ministry of Emergency Management.

From January to September, the number of production-related accidents fell 20.3 percent year on year while the death toll declined 18.5 percent from the previous year, the ministry said.

In the first nine months, most industries in China reported fewer workplace accidents, including sectors of coal mining, fireworks making and construction.

The government will give priority to preventing severe accidents, continuing efforts on supervision and strengthening crackdowns on violations, the ministry added.