Bulletin of typical workplace accidents in Shanghai, July 2024

Overview

In July 2024, there were 33 fatal workplace accidents in Shanghai with 33 deaths.

Some Accidents in July

On July 1, an accident happened at the Baoshan Road Station of the Metro Line 3/4. During the renovation project, an operator from Shanghai Haizhi Construction Engineering Co., Ltd. was removing the cover of a cable tray. The individual had an electric shock and died.

On July 14, an accident happened at the workshop of Shanghai Jintongxing Glass Co., Ltd. at No.669 Qinwan Road. An operator was driving a forklift to transport a product shelf loaded with glass sheets. The shelf suddenly fell off and fallen glass sheets killed the individual.

On July 23, an accident happened at Shanghai Yaobo Glass Product Co., Ltd. at Building 1, Lane 3581, Huqingping Road. An operator was moving glass sheets when they unexpectedly fell, resulting in the individual's death.

On July 29, an accident happened at the Shanghai Yancheng Metal Material Co., Ltd. at No.23 Bugang Road. A truck driver was offloading steel pipes. The pipes slipped off, hit and killed the driver.

On July 29, an accident happened at Shanghai Xihe Industrial Co., Ltd. at No.695 Yuantai Road. N. When an operator was fixing a machine tool, the individual had an electric shock and died.

Workplace Accidents in Previous Julys

“2022.7.12” Machinery Injury Accident of Shanghai Jinxian Stage Engineering and Design Co., Ltd.

Summary of the accident：

At about 2 pm, July 12, 2022, an accident happened at the No.6 studio at No.4221 Longwu Road, Minhang District. After the shooting of a program ended, the operators from Shanghai Jinxian Stage Engineering and Design Co., Ltd. began to dismantle a steel structure. While an operator was using a lift table to reach a high place, his neck was stuck between the lift table and a beam of the steel structure. He died in a hospital after rescuing attempts failed.

Direct cause:

The victim Li Yifeng was the job site manager from Jinxian Stage. He failed to adhere to the standard operating procedure for using a lift table. During the table’s movement, he failed to maintain a safe distance between his head and the beam, leading to the accident.

Indirect cause：

1. Jinxian Stage has not developed a comprehensive system to hold everyone responsible for work safety. It neglected to provide adequate safety education and training for its operators, and lacked proper job site safety management.

2. Shanghai Film, Radio & TV Production Ltd. (FRTP) failed to fulfill its safety management responsibilities for contractors and lacked oversight of job site safety.

3. Shanghai Motion Magic Digital Entertainment Inc failed to provide adequate safety training for workers and lacked proper job site safety management.

4. Shanghai Chengsheng Film, TV, Culture and Media Co., Ltd. has not developed a comprehensive system to hold everyone responsible for work safety, failed to update its internal safety rules and guidelines, and neglected to require its tenants to implement safety management and training.

5. Sinosteel Group Shanghai Carbon Works Co., Ltd. failed to fulfill its safety responsibility and lacked coordination and management over its tenants’ work safety.

Punishment for the accident：

Minhang District Emergency Management Bureau imposed administrative penalties upon Jinxian Stage. The administrative office of Minhang District Work Safety Committee held disciplinary meetings with FRTP, Motion Magic, Shanghai Chengsheng and Shanghai Carbon Works.

Recommendations：

1. Jinxian Stage should sincerely learn from this accident, develop a comprehensive work safety responsibility system, strictly implement work safety rules and guidelines, enhance safety training among operators, and intensify supervision at job sites to prevent future accidents.

2. FRTP should improve its safety rules and guidelines, strictly hold everyone accountable for their responsibilities, proactively identify and remove hazards at job sites, strengthen oversight of contractors to prioritize safety.

3. Motion Magic should improve and implement its safety rules and guidelines, provide more effective training for job site workers, enhance on-site supervision to eliminate workplace hazards.

4. Shanghai Chengsheng should develop a comprehensive work safety responsibility system, improve and implement its internal safety rules and guidelines, and enhance its supervision over tenants’ safety management.

Shanghai Carbon Works should fulfill its safety responsibility, strengthen coordination and management over its tenants, promote work safety education, and conduct regular inspections to mitigate hazards.

“2023.7.25” Struck by Object Accident of Shanghai Youdi Auto Parts Factory

Summary of the accident：

At about 2:30 pm, July 25, 2023, an accident happened at the No.2 workshop of Shanghai Youdi Auto Parts Factory at No.660, Gongnong Village, Qingcun Town, Fengxian District. While a group of operators were demolishing an unused attic, a precast floor slab collapsed, striking and killing an operator.

Direct cause:

The operators had removed an excessive number of bricks from the wall, compromising the structural integrity. As a result, the bricks of the load bearing pillars cracked, causing the floor slab to collapse due to insufficient support.

Indirect cause：

1. Inadequate preparations preceded the dismantling process. The operators failed to develop a sound work plan and neglected to implement preventative measures against collapse.

2. There was lack of safety management. The team failed to identify and mitigate safety hazards, and did not set up safety warning signs at the highly dangerous dismantling job site.

3. The team lacked adequate safety training. Prior to the dismantling work, no safety education was provided to the operators, causing a lack of self-protection and safety awareness.

Punishment for the accident：

Fengxian District Emergency Management Bureau imposed administrative penalties upon Youdi Auto Parts and its leader.

Recommendations：

Youdi Auto Parts should thoroughly learn from this accident and amplify its learnings, establish a comprehensive workplace safety responsibility system as well as internal rules and guidelines. It should rigorously enforce safety standards at job sites, implement preventive measures and proactively identify and mitigate hazards.

Before it resumes the dismantling operation, it should develop a sound plan and submit a report to local authorities. It should conduct safety training and briefing for operators as well as assign dedicated safety supervisors. It should fulfill its safety obligations, implement a system to identify and eliminate hazards, enhance job site safety patrols and supervision to prevent future accidents.

Hazard warnings

➤During this season, poisoning and suffocating accidents are more likely to happen. Shanghai’s recent long heatwave and heavy rainfall have increased the potential for the formation of toxic gases and accidents. We must pay special attention during repair and cleanup operations in confined spaces, such as tanks, pipes and basements.

➤We must prioritize safety measures for large entertainment machines. Given the ongoing peak travel season, tourism agencies and scenic spots should fulfill their safety responsibilities by providing safety education for tourists and visitors. Additionally, large entertainment machines must undergo rigorous safety checks, repairs and maintenance. If any malfunctions or abnormalities are detected, these machines must be removed from service until the issue is resolved.

➤We have observed a concerning rise in accidents involving the movement of objects within factories and warehouses. Numerous heavy items, including stones, ceramic tiles, glassware, steel pipes, steel rolls, and irregularly shaped components, pose significant risks of rolling, slipping, or falling. When handling or transporting these objects, workers must prioritize the securement of items, the stability of stacks and their own positioning to avoid being struck by falling objects.

上海市2024年7月份典型事故通报（英文版）