Businesses in the Weifang Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone are taking steps to apply advanced technologies to the manufacturing process to promote safe production and support business growth.

The move is in response to the State Administration of Work Safety's requirement to replace manpower with advanced machines to reduce the risk of accidents and promote safety as well as economic profits.

Major manufacturing businesses in the zone, such as Weifang Special Steel Group and commercial vehicle developer and producer Foton Shandong Multifunction Plant, have reported significant progress in the upgrading of their safety management systems.

"Science and technology are the primary productive forces. They are also critical forces in promoting safe production," said Yu Guangfu, general manager of WSSG. "We invested 56 million yuan ($8.12 million) in 2015 to upgrade key production technology in the steel and iron-making processes. The automatic technology application rate reached 100 percent in key production processes."

WSSG has seen productivity increase by 17 percent and the number of workers decrease by 11 percent in the past two years. It also has lowered its production costs and accident occurrence rate, Yu said.

"We have fully recognized the benefits that advanced technologies can bring to our business," Yu said.

The upgraded system has reduced workers' concern for safety and allowed them to pay more attention to enhancing productivity.

"I have witnessed many accidents. We have fewer safety concerns after WSSG installed the new equipment," said Wu Yungang, a 50-year-old production line technician with WSSG, who has worked for the company for 26 years.

Foton Shandong Multifunction Plant, also in the zone, is another pioneer in work hazard management. Various automated technologies, such as robotic arms and electromagnetic powered logistical systems, are used to reduce the workers' load and accidents.

Foton installed 28 painting robots with an investment of 55 million yuan in 2015 to reduce the number of workers in their vehicle painting workshops. Those robots not only helped to significantly reduce the rate of occupational hazards, but also helped the company to increase average net profits per capita by 10 percent, according to Foton.

"High-tech not only secures workers' health, but also supports business growth," said Tao Zhonghua, head of the plant.

Local authorities are sparing no effort to encourage businesses to strengthen safety management with advanced technology. The Administration of Work Safety in the zone has hired 62 safety management professionals to provide support to local businesses.

Zuo Qiwei, a metallurgical engineering doctorate degree holder in the zone who is working with the Administration of Work Safety in the zone, is responsible for giving guidelines to companies in the technology and management upgrade process. He has given suggestions to 14 companies including Weifang Futai Machinery Co and Weifang Junze Machinery Co to support the improvement of their productivity and product quality.

"We must always make safety the top priority in daily production. Businesses need to apply more advanced technology to production and management to provide a comfortable and safe working environment for employees," said Yao Kezeng, director of the Administration of Work Safety in the zone.

Zhuang Jian contributed to this story.

(China Daily 03/07/2017 page12)