According to a July 22 notice, China State Administration of Work Safety (SAWS) requires local work safety administrations to include inspections on workplace emergency management in the inspection framework for enforcement of Work Safety Law.
In the list of top concerns are enterprises involved in manufacturing, operating, storing and using hazardous chemicals, which are subject to administrative licensing under State Council Decree 591.
Based on the sample checklist annexed to the notice, the detailed annual inspection plans will be made by local work safety administrations, targeting 7 main aspects:
Organizational system on emergency management within the entity
Emergency response/rescue team
Emergency response equipment and supplies
Implementation of contingency plan management provisions
Emergency response rehearsal
Training on emergency management
Response to accidents
Inspection types vary from risk-based inspection to random inspection, uninformed inspection, special investigation, etc. Non-compliance may incur an order for immediate rectification, administrative penalties or other enforcement measures, as well as negative public relations due to media exposure.