
SMRT Trains fined $240,000 over accident that killed technical officer
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 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.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


AsiaOne
a day ago
- AsiaOne
Company director fined for collecting $112k in kickbacks from migrant workers, Singapore News
A company director has been convicted for his involvement in a scheme that collected a total of $112,400 in kickbacks from migrant workers in December 2020. Loo Kim Huat, a 68-year-old Singaporean, was fined $90,000 and a penalty order of $42,000 on Thursday (July 24) after pleading guilty to six charges under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA). Twelve other charges were taken into consideration for his sentencing, said the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) in a press release. The ministry said Loo was the director and group head for conservancy at WIS Holdings, which manages Weishen Industrial Services — a company that provides estate cleaning and maintenance services for town councils. He had conspired with four individuals, which included Lim Choong Seng, a former site manager at Weishen, two conservancy workers, Kabir Mohammad Humayun and Robel, and Kamaruzzaman, an employment agent based in Bangladesh. In 2020, Loo and the four individuals collected amounts ranging from $900 to $7,000 from 18 workers of Weishen as a condition for renewing their work passes. Loo and Lim would provide positive feedback to Weishen's human resources department for only the foreign employees who had paid the kickbacks and help get their work passes renewed, reported The Straits Times. MOM said that Loo has paid a total of $83,050 as restitution to the affected migrant workers. Of the 18 workers who were affected, nine have returned home, while the remaining nine are working in Singapore, with three employed at Weishen. Lim was convicted in August 2024 and was sentenced to a fine of $84,000 while Kabir's case is still pending before the court, said MOM. "Collecting employment kickbacks from migrant workers is a serious offence, and the Ministry of Manpower will not hesitate to take enforcement action against such unlawful acts," the ministry said. Those convicted will face a fine of up to $30,000, a jail term of up to two years, or both. Migrant workers who suspect that they are being asked to give kickbacks can seek help by calling MOM at 6438 5122 or the Migrant Workers' Centre at 6536 2692. The ministry also urged members of the public who are aware of suspicious employment activities, or who know of persons who contravene the EFMA, to report the matter via MOM's website. All information will be kept strictly confidential, it said. [[nid:720463]]

Straits Times
2 days ago
- Straits Times
Man charged after he allegedly sold to customer items relating to e-cigarettes worth over $1.3k
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Nicholas Tan Jia Biao, 31, was handed nine charges for offences including selling and being in possession of such products. SINGAPORE – A man appeared in a district court on July 24 after he allegedly sold to another person multiple items relating to e-cigarettes worth more than $1,300 in total. Nicholas Tan Jia Biao, 31, was handed nine charges for offences including selling and being in possession of such products. Between September and October 2024, the Singaporean allegedly offered for sale 34 sets of e-cigarette devices and at least five e-cigarette pods. He was at the Citadines Balestier Singapore hotel shortly before 9.50pm on Oct 2, 2024 when he allegedly sold three e-cigarette pods worth $300 to a customer. He is accused of selling four more pods and an e-cigarette device, worth $480 in total, to the same person at the same hotel at around 5.20am the next day. That afternoon, Tan allegedly bought 10 e-cigarette pods for $1,000 from an unknown seller via messaging platform Telegram. Tan was at the hotel at around 11pm on Oct 3, 2024 when he allegedly sold four of such pods and two e-cigarette devices, worth $535 in total, to the same customer. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Live: Thai-Cambodia border clash Asia At least 2 Thai civilians killed as Thai and Cambodian militaries clash at disputed border Singapore Boy, 15, charged after being caught with vapes 5 times; ordered to stay 2 years in S'pore Boys' Home Business MOM probing work injury claim flagged by late Sumo Salad boss Jane Lee: MOS Dinesh Business New tie-up offers insurance savings for SMEs committed to workers' health and well-being Singapore What's key to a good life? Most Singapore residents choose emotional and mental well-being Singapore Over 2 years' jail for man who worked with wife to cheat her then-boyfriend of $220k Asia South Korea police raid offices of BTS' agency Hybe over share probe He is also said to have two sets of e-cigarette devices in his possession shortly before 4.50am the next day. Tan's case has been adjourned to Aug 14. Possessing, using or buying vapes carries a maximum fine of $2,000. Anyone who distributes, imports or sells vapes and their components can be jailed for up to six months and fined up to $10,000. Those found in possession of or using pods containing etomidate can be jailed for up to two years and fined up to $10,000. Those who need help to quit vaping can join the Health Promotion Board's I Quit programme by calling the QuitLine on 1800-438-2000. Participants need not worry about being prosecuted, as it does not presume they use or have used vaping products. But those caught using or possessing such items will be prosecuted. If you have a story to share about vapes, e-mail us at stnewsdesk@ From July 21, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has extended the operating hours for its hotline to report vaping-related offences. The hotline now operates from 9am to 9pm daily, including on public holidays. The HSA has also launched a new online portal to report vaping-related offences at

Straits Times
2 days ago
- Straits Times
Over 2 years' jail for man who worked with wife to cheat her then-boyfriend of $220k
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Eric Ong Chee Wei (left) was sentenced to jail for engaging in a conspiracy with his wife, Felicia Tay Bee Ling, to cheat her then-boyfriend of $220,000. SINGAPORE - A man was sentenced to two years and four months' jail on July 24 for engaging in a conspiracy with his wife to cheat her then-boyfriend of $220,000 via a fake property investment scheme. Eric Ong Chee Wei , who has made restitution of $10,000 to the victim, Mr David Tan, was also ordered to pay a compensation of $210,000. Ong, 50, will have to spend an additional 105 days behind bars should he fail to fork out the amount. His wife, Felicia Tay Bee Ling , 49, who had acted on his instructions, was sentenced to two years and a month in jail on July 24. At the time of the offence, Ong did not know that Tay was having an affair with Mr Tan, 48. Mr Tan, however, was aware that Ong was Tay's husband. Ong and Tay had each pleaded guilty to a cheating charge in June . Court documents did not disclose if they are still married to each other. The two offenders were each offered bail of $40,000 on July 24. They are expected to begin serving their sentences on Aug 18. In earlier proceedings, Deputy Public Prosecutor Kiera Yu told the court that Tay was a housewife, while Ong worked as a property agent from 1999 to 2006 before turning to odd jobs. Tay met Mr Tan in 2010, and they started their affair in 2014. Around September 2015, Ong conspired with Tay to deceive Mr Tan into paying supposed 'security deposits' involving the purported purchase of condominium units as investments. In reality, the two offenders knew that there were no such units for sale. Acting on Ong's instructions, Tay told Mr Tan that she had 'investment opportunities' – she could help him buy seven units at Residences @ Emerald Hill from the developer at discounted rates due to the 'poor property market'. She also claimed that the units could be resold at higher prices and promised Mr Tan that each investment would purportedly yield high returns within three months. In reality, six of the units that he was supposedly buying did not exist at all, while the seventh was not available for sale. The prosecutor said that Tay also sent handwritten records of the 'investments' to him, adding: 'However, no official documents on the sale and purchase of the units were ever provided.' Mr Tan had received only screenshots of option-to-purchase (OTP) forms Tay sent him for the seven units. The forms were purportedly issued through a salesperson under real estate company OrangeTee, who did not know that Ong had used the forms to commit cheating. Mr Tan then handed to Tay $220,000 in total as 'security deposits' over seven occasions from September to November 2015. Tay promised Mr Tan that he would receive profits of more than $1.7 million when the units were sold. But around January 2016, Mr Tan sensed that something was amiss when he received no investment returns. He confronted Tay about the matter, but she did not give him any concrete answers. Mr Tan and Tay broke up in March 2017. The victim finally reached out to OrangeTee on Dec 11, 2019, and the company told him that none of the transactions listed on the OTP forms were legitimate. Mr Tan made a police report the next day and officers arrested the two offenders in June 2022.