Fine Time for Power Generators That Cover Up Accidents

China’s central government has issued guidelines to power companies about how to manage accidents on the job and penalties for malfeasance. The guidelines seemed aimed at incidents that managers have covered up or ignored reporting to higher authorities. The government will fine power operators 100,000 rmb (S$15,500) to 5 million rmb for accidents. “Power firms will face a fine between 1 million yuan to 5 million yuan if they are found providing false information, covering up accidents, forging and deliberately destroying power accident scene, transferring capital and property, destroying evidence, refusing investigation, committing perjury, or escaping,” according to China Daily.

Officials themselves are exposed to paying personal fines 30 percent to 80 percent of their annual income, implying the government has found it difficult to bring managers to admit accountability in the aftermath of incidents. The fine on managers also extends in the event managers “do not carry out immediate relief work after accidents, delay reports, or are absent without leave during inspection period”.

Source: China Daily