SMRT Trains fined $240,000 over accident that killed technical officer
SINGAPORE – Rail operator SMRT Trains was fined $240,000 on May 5 over an accident at Bishan Depot in March 2020 that killed one of its technical officers.
The company was convicted of an offence under the Workplace Safety and Health Act, as it had failed to take reasonable measures to ensure its employees' safety at the depot in Bishan Road.
On March 23, 2020, Mr Muhammad Afiq Senawi, 30, and a colleague were using a hydraulic press machine (HPM) to replace some train-related components.
Mr Afiq had placed a component into the machine, and activated the piston to carry out the task.
However, he had failed to remove a similar older component. Due to a pressure build-up, a spacer rod that weighed nearly 3kg flew out of the machine, broke through the fencing gate near the machine, and struck his face.
Mr Afiq was rushed to Tan Tock Seng Hospital, where he died of face and chest injuries at around 10.15am that day.
Coroner Christopher Goh later ruled his death to be an unfortunate misadventure.
Among other things, an investigation later revealed that SMRT Trains had failed to install a pressure gauge for the HPM after dismantling it for repairs.
On May 5, Ministry of Manpower prosecutor Kimberly Boo told the court that the spacer rod had not been secured to any other component, adding: 'There was thus a hazard of the spacer rod displacing from its position and shooting out during operations.'
She also said that a maintenance work record dated June 11, 2018, stated that the hydraulic pressure gauge was damaged.
As a result, there was no indication of the pressure of the HPM available when it was in operation.
The damage was reported to an engineering maintenance manager, who instructed for the gauge to be dismantled. However, he later overlooked its reinstallation.
Another work record dated Dec 16 that year stated that the pressure gauge was sent for calibration.
Court documents stated that the most recent maintenance of the HPM prior to the tragedy was carried out on Jan 2, 2020. The gauge was still not installed then.
Ms Boo said: '(SMRT Trains) had failed to ensure that a pressure gauge, which was a safety measure identified in the HPM operation manual, was installed for the HPM. Once the activating lever was pulled by the operator, the piston would continually move downwards to generate a downward push motion.
'Even though HPM operators were not required to monitor the exact pressure involved in the operation, the presence of a pressure gauge would provide an indication to operators on whether the force applied in any installation or removal had increased disproportionately.'
SMRT Trains had also failed to limit the pressure setting of the HPM, which would reduce operators' exposure to a force far beyond what was necessary for its intended use, thus lowering the risks of harm the operators are exposed to.
SMRT Trains was charged in court in 2023.
Shaffiq Alkhatib is The Straits Times' court correspondent, covering mainly criminal cases heard at the State Courts.
Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Paper
2 days ago
- New Paper
Motorcyclist, 54, taken to hospital after collision with bus in Bukit Panjang
A motorcyclist was taken to hospital after an accident with a bus in Bukit Panjang on the afternoon of Aug 15. Responding to queries from The Straits Times, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) and the police said they were alerted to the traffic accident at the junction of Bukit Panjang Road and Jelebu Road at about 2.20pm on Aug 15. A 54-year-old male motorcyclist was taken conscious to Tan Tock Seng Hospital, the authorities said. The bus driver, a 54-year-old female, is assisting with investigations, police said. Photos posted on Singapore Roads Facebook page showed the aftermath of the accident. A green motorcycle resting on its side can be seen in front of a green bus bearing the SMRT logo. The front bumpers of the bus appear to be dented, and the windscreen of the bus appears to be cracked. The motorcycle also appears to be damaged. Debris can also be seen spread on the road at the accident site. The Straits Times has contacted SMRT for more information. Police investigations are ongoing.
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Straits Times
Motorcyclist taken to hospital after accident with bus in Bukit Panjang
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox SCDF and the police were alerted to the accident at the junction of Bukit Panjang Road and Jelebu Road at about 2.20pm on Aug 15. SINGAPORE - A motorcyclist was taken to hospital after an accident with a bus in Bukit Panjang on the afternoon of Aug 15 . Responding to queries from The Straits Times, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) and the police said they were alerted to the traffic accident at the junction of Bukit Panjang Road and Jelebu Road at about 2.20pm on Aug 15 . A 54-year-old male motorcyclist was taken conscious to Tan Tock Seng Hospital, the authorities said. The bus driver, a 54-year-old female , is assisting with investigations, police said. Photos posted on Singapore Roads Facebook page showed the aftermath of the accident. A green motorcycle resting on its side can be seen in front of a green bus bearing the SMRT logo. The front bumpers of the bus appear to be dented, and the windscreen of the bus appears to be cracked. The motorcycle also appears to be damaged. Debris can also be seen spread on the road at the accident site. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Ong Beng Seng fined $30k in case linked to ex-minister Iswaran after judge cites judicial mercy Singapore Why was Ong Beng Seng fined instead of jailed? Key points from the case Asia Sun Haiyan, ex-China ambassador to S'pore, detained for questioning: Sources Singapore Father of 4 among S'poreans arrested in CNB raids; drugs worth over $128k seized Life Online travel agencies Klook and make debut at Natas Travel Fair Singapore Jail for drink-driving cop in hit-and-run accident; victim suffered multiple fractures The Straits Times has contacted SMRT for more information. Police investigations are ongoing.
Independent Singapore
08-08-2025
- Independent Singapore
SMRT apologises after cross-border bus accidentally enters motorcycle lane at JB checkpoint
SINGAPORE: SMRT has issued a public apology after one of its cross-border buses travelling from Johor Bahru to Singapore mistakenly entered the motorcycle lane at the Johor Bahru checkpoint and struck a height restriction pole. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday evening, came to light after photos and videos began circulating online on Thursday (Aug 7). In the footage, the SMRT service 170 bus is seen stationary in front of a height limit pole, unable to proceed further. Motorcyclists, caught behind the stuck vehicle, had to move around the bus to continue their journey. The bus appeared to have entered the motorcycle lane while moving through the Johor Bahru checkpoint on its way back to Singapore. In a statement, an SMRT spokesperson confirmed the incident, 'Our bus driver accidentally drove into the motorcycle lane at the Johor checkpoint and unfortunately collided with the height restriction pole. Fortunately, the driver and passengers on board are safe and sound.' SMRT extended its apologies to all commuters and motorcyclists affected by the mishap. The representative said, 'We sincerely apologize to the commuters and motorcyclists affected. We are currently assisting the Malaysian police in their investigation.' No injuries were reported and Malaysian authorities are currently investigating the incident. () => { const trigger = if ('IntersectionObserver' in window && trigger) { const observer = new IntersectionObserver((entries, observer) => { => { if ( { lazyLoader(); // You should define lazyLoader() elsewhere or inline here // Run once } }); }, { rootMargin: '800px', threshold: 0.1 }); } else { // Fallback setTimeout(lazyLoader, 3000); } });
