Beijing, Sep 18 (IANS): In a bid to ensure safer amusement rides for public, the Chinese authorities have decided to stiffen security measures by holding the companies accountable for their equipment and machinery's quality.

The country's leading quality watchdog -- General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine -- Tuesday unveiled a set of rules to improve supervision of large amusement rides, such as roller coasters, Xinhua reported.

The new regulations, to be effective from Jan 1, 2014, will hold the companies manufacturing, installing, renovating or repairing large rides as liable for the quality of equipment and machinery.

While making the operating companies responsible for the safety of the rides, the new rules also require the operators to apply to inspection authorities for regular safety checks in a timely manner.

It also makes it mandatory for the operators to make emergency response plans for each ride and hold an emergency rescue drill at least once a year.

The rides refer to those with a designed speed or two metres per second or quicker, or those at heights of no less than two metres, according to the rules.

On Sunday, three people were seriously hurt after being thrown out of a spinning machine in an amusement park in Shaanxi province's Xi'an city in northwest China.