Work safety is a matter that bears on the overall situation of economic development and social harmony and the security of people’s lives and property. For a long term, Chinese government and corporations have been working hard on improving work safety so that the national situation of work safety remains stable development. However, at present accidents still occur frequently and heavily, even some serious accidents occur. It becomes a big issue to reinforce emergency management and capability and prevent from the accidents, implement emergency rescue rapidly, scientifically and effectively, which is also a common issue faced by all the world.

    The Chinese government attaches great importance to the work of emergency management at workplaces. It incorporates the strengthening of emergency management, so as to better prevent and dispose of public emergencies into the strategic plan for building a harmonious society. On Nov.1 2007, “Contingency Law to Emergencies” was issued, and the work of emergency management has been on its legal track. Accidents is one important aspect of public emergencies, and Chinese government has given higher priority to workplace emergency management and rescue. “The Eleventh Five-Year Program for Work Safety” emphasized “improving safety level”, “strengthening emergency system construction”, and identified “construction of national, provincial and municipal workplace emergency management centers and national, regional and other backbone emergency rescue systems” as a major project of public service. “The Eleventh Five-Year Program for Work Safety” and “National Plan for Emergency System Construction to Public Emergencies during Eleventh Five-Year Program” set the detailed goals of work safety in the key industries by 2010, and put forward specific requirements for building workplace emergency management systems.

    Thanks to the combined efforts of all the localities, departments, institutions and social stakeholders, China has made some achievements in workplace emergency management, the emergency system and mechanism have further improved, the emergency platform and personnel building have reinforced, the emergency plan system has initially formed, the emergency training, education and drilling have been widely developed, the regulation standard building has initially effected, the capability to respond to and dispose of accidents and disasters has increased, as well as the rescue effect has greatly improved. Especially in 2008, under the lead of the Party and State Council, Chinese people joined together to fight against the snow storm in South China and the serious earthquake in Sichuan Province, which obtained a great success and ensured the success of Beijing Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. On the response to serious disasters and important events, the work safety supervision system and emergency rescue team have made a great contribution. At the same time of getting big achievements, we recognized that it was still serious for China’s work safety situation, the work of emergency management still has a long gap to meet the request of realizing the scientific development and harmonious society, as well as the request of all people. The main problems are the distemperedness of workplace emergency management system and mechanism, the unperfect of emergency rescue team, and the weakness of emergency capability. We are eager to make a wide exchange and cooperation on workplace emergency management with relevant countries, regions and international organizations, to share the experience and fruits, to improve emergency capability and promote the construction of harmonious society and world together.

    The theme of the forum and exhibition is “Reinforce Emergency Management and Capability for A Safe Development”. It aims to bring together the wisdom of the elites and experts worldwide in search of good solutions to emergency management and rescue, which may help avoid occurrence of accidents and disasters and minimize loss of lives and property. It also aims to explore theories, share experiences, exchange techniques and promote cooperation, so as to improve the capacity in emergency management and protect the safety and health of the people. On the foundation of success of the 1st China International Forum on Workplace Emergency Management and Rescue & China International Workplace Emergency Technology and Equipment Exhibition in 2007, with the active support and participation of relevant ministries and commissions, overseas governments, international organizations, corporations and social bodies, State Administration of Work Safety has the confidence and capacity to well organize the 2nd China International Forum on Workplace Emergency Management and Emergency Rescue Technology & Equipment Exhibition. The successful organizing of the conference and exhibition will actively contribute to developing workplace emergency management efforts and advancing emergency rescue techniques in China and the world.