China's work securities supervisor has urged local authorities
to overhaul fireworks factories in a circular addressing an
accident earlier this month.
The blast at a firecracker plant in central Hunan province on
Nov. 10 killed 10 people and destroyed two workshops out of four at
the plant.
Preliminary investigation found the cause of the accident to be
highly dangerous, banned work procedures.
The circular instructed local authorities to check on
malpractices in firecracker factories immediately. Such practices
include gathering too many people in a workshop, loading excessive
explosive powder and mixing highly dangerous procedures in
low-level safety workshops.
Factories that are found to be breaking the rules must stop
operating until their operations are approved by local authorities.
Facilities that commit major violations could have their licenses
revoked.
(Xinhua News Agency November 21, 2007)