NANCHANG, April 22 (Xinhua) -- An investigation into a fatal suffocation incident at a biopharmaceutical company in Nanchang, capital city of east China's Jiangxi Province, has identified the incident as "a major workplace safety liability accident," local emergency response authorities said on Wednesday.
A suffocation incident occurred at the biopharmaceutical company, Jiangxi Longlife Bio-pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., on Dec. 31 last year, resulting in three deaths and three injuries.
The investigation concluded that the accident was a major workplace safety liability accident caused by the company's failure to fulfill its primary safety responsibilities and to curb risks. At the mechanical level, an air compressor malfunction caused the pneumatic valve control system to shut down. Consequently, nitrogen gas leaked back into the breathing pipeline, ultimately triggering the accident.
The investigation task force said that the actions of those responsible may constitute criminal offenses and recommended that the case be transferred to judicial authorities for further legal action. Twelve local officials with suspected derelictions will be handed over to disciplinary and supervisory authorities for further investigation.
Investigators also recommended administrative penalties for the company and other responsible entities, as well as responsible people including the company's legal representative. ■
