New guidelines to try to prevent chemical accidents are being launched in the coming weeks in Shanghai.

 

The Shanghai Safety Code of the Dangerous Chemicals Administration will come into effect on April 1.

 

Yesterday, the Shanghai municipality's spokesperson Jiao Yang said: "Although there have been no severe accidents caused by the improper use or storing of extremely dangerous chemicals here, our government should improve dangerous chemicals' administration in consideration of serious accidents in other cities."

 

Zhang Zhongyu, vice-director of Shanghai Municipal Legislative Affairs Office, which is engaged in drafting the safety code, added that highly dangerous chemicals include civil explosive products, radioactive and nuclear items, natural gas and gasoline, and poisonous products.

 

Zhang said the new regulations would better protect the residents in the populous and industry-condensed city.

 

He said: "The safety code includes six chapters with 59 items, concerning the responsibilities of the local government, manufacturing, purchasing and transporting companies."

 

Fei Wenting, an official of the office, said details covered all the working processes manufacturing, storing, utilizing, purchasing, transporting and disposing.

 

Zhang said those companies producing and storing such chemicals will be required to have an around-the-clock monitoring system and special explosion-preventing facilities built on their sites.

 

Much of the code relates to the safe transporting of items.

 

Zhang revealed that companies which transport dangerous chemicals must accept regular safety checks under the code by the local government.

 

They will only be able to operate after they have obtained special licenses from related departments covered by the new regulations.

 

The local government will also tighten the administration on such chemicals entering the city, via both land and water. One item of the new regulation prohibits dangerous chemicals being transported along Huangpu River and other inner river networks in Shanghai.

 

(China Daily February 23, 2006)