Workplace accidents in China from January to September improved compared with the same period from last year, according to statistics released Thursday by State Administration of Work Safety (SAWS).

The number of injury accidents was 607,429, causing 98,809 fatalities during the first three quarters, a decrease of 123,699 accidents or 16.92 percent and a decline of 245 fatalities or 0.25 percent from the same period in 2003.

  • Accidents that occurred in industrial, mining and commercial and trading sectors were reduced by 12.4 percent; fatalities in these sectors were 8.04 percent lower than last year.

  • Coal mines: 8 percent less fatal accidents; 13.17 percent fewer fatalities.

  • Metallic and non-metallic mines: a decrease in fatal accidents of 6.13 percent; 4.54 percent fewer fatalities.

  • Dangerous chemicals: 35.03 percent fewer fatal accidents; 28.23 percent less fatalities.

  • Fire: accidents increased 4.76 percent; fatalities were up 15.55 percent.

  • Road traffic: accidents decreased 24.69 percent; fatalities increased 2.33 percent.

  • Railway transport: 2.1 percent less accidents; 3.0 percent fewer fatalities.