Head of Rostechnadzor (the state environmental and technological safety watchdog) Konstantin Pulikovskiy believes obsolete equipment in all branches of industry is the greatest man-caused threat facing Russia at the moment. Equipment owners are generally trying to prolong its life beyond reasonable limits, which results in accidents and human casualties, reports Rostechnadzor’s press officer in Ural Federal District.

'How does one find the golden mean that allows one to both make a profit and comply with the safety regulations? This golden mean lies in the presence of the state surveillance authority, so it’s crucial that its status should only gain importance, especially now that a lot of public property is being privatized. Unfortunately, no such efforts are being made at the moment, but I’m hopeful things will change,’ Mr. Pulikovskiy says.