LAUSR

Abstract The problem of work safety greatly affects many parts of the world, especially developing countries such as China. The release of the Thirteenth Five-Year Guideline for National Economic and Social Development in March 2016 marked the beginning of China’s Thirteenth Five-Year Plan (13th FYP) period (2016–2020). Work safety continues to be a national priority. Since the release, a newly important work safety policy, namely the 13th FYP for Work Safety has been announced on February 3, 2017 in accordance with the Thirteenth Five-Year Guideline for National Economic and Social Development. What is the current status, what are new challenges and future tasks of work safety during China’s 13th FYP period? The two key objectives of this paper are: (1) to analyze the current status of work safety in China, and (2) to introduce the new challenges and future tasks during China’s 13th FYP period briefly. Firstly, a statistical analysis of accidents and occupational diseases in recent years in China was carried out, and a brief introduction to safety management on the national level in China has been given to analyze the work safety status in the whole of China. Secondly, combining with the demand for economic and social development in China, and according to the suggestions in the 13th FYP for Work Safety and the current status of work safety in China, the new challenges and future tasks of work safety during China’s 13th FYP period are also introduced. This study can promote the cooperation and exchange of knowledge on work safety between China and other countries to provide evidence-based services for work safety.