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
Independent Singapore
a day ago
- Independent Singapore
SMRT issues notice of offence to teen suspected of vaping KPods on board MRT train
SISINGAPORE: SMRT has confirmed that it has issued a notice of offence to a 17-year-old passenger after he was spotted behaving erratically, in an incident believed to be linked to the use of Kpods. A video going viral online shows the teenager, wearing white, sitting before getting up to alight at the next stop. The youth stood up using a handrail, visibly twitching and moving in a stiff, unnatural manner. As he approached the carriage door, he suddenly collapsed backward, hitting the floor with a thud. Passengers can be heard shouting in concern, with some attempting to assist him. The teenager appeared unresponsive to their attempts to help and sat dazed and twitching on the floor, before leaving the train. SMRT staff at the station, having been alerted to the incident, identified the teen and handed him over to the authorities. SMRT has since issued a notice of offence to the youth for breaching subway regulations. In a statement, SMRT said it takes such cases seriously and urged the public to report any suspicious behaviour immediately. See also Humping Trans Cab video goes viral The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) later confirmed that e-cigarettes and cartridges were found in the teenager's possession. He is currently assisting in ongoing investigations. Netizens reacting to the viral video online speculate that the boy may have been vaping 'Kpods' or the etomidate substance, which is reportedly linked to hallucinations, disorientation, and involuntary body movements. Authorities reiterated that possession, use, or sale of e-cigarettes is illegal in Singapore, and warned that violators face serious penalties. HSA has stepped up its enforcement activities against vaping. The public is encouraged to report suspected e-cigarette offences via an extended hotline—6684 2036 or 6684 2037—which now operates daily from 9am to 9pm, including on public holidays. Reports can also be submitted online. Investigations are ongoing. () => { 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); } });
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Straits Times
2024 EWL breakdown could have been prevented with better coordination: SMRT CEO
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox SMRT will work more closely with the Land Transport Authority and equipment manufacturers during fleet and systems renewals. SINGAPORE – The six-day disruption to train services on the East-West Line (EWL) in September 2024 could have been prevented with better coordination among all parties involved, said SMRT group chief executive Ngien Hoon Ping on July 31. Setting out the rail operator's view of the breakdown – one of Singapore's worst so far, affecting 2.6 million passengers – Mr Ngien said the right lessons need to be learnt so that the same mistakes are not made again. This means working more closely with the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and equipment manufacturers during fleet and systems renewals. 'We need robust, forward-looking life-cycle planning, clear roles and responsibilities, and much tighter cross-agency collaboration moving forward,' said Mr Ngien during a press conference on the latest financial results for SMRT's train division. On July 31, SMRT said the 2024 EWL breakdown has prompted 'deeper reflections' on the challenges of operating rail assets beyond their intended lifespan. Noting that MRT trains in Singapore are designed to be operated for 30 years, the operator called for a structured framework to manage ageing trains, suggesting that LTA issue a formal certificate to rail operators if such trains are used beyond their intended lifespans. Such certificates are already issued for new trains before they enter service. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore No entry: ICA to bar high-risk, undesirable travellers from boarding S'pore-bound ships, flights Singapore 5 foreign women suspected of trafficking 27kg of cocaine nabbed in Changi Airport Singapore Over half of job applications by retrenched Jetstar Asia staff led to offers or interviews: CEO Singapore Fallen tree branch damages two Yishun flats, showering one home owner in shattered glass Singapore Man accused of raping woman who hired him to fix lights in her flat claims she made first move Singapore Jail for ex-employee of agency under MOH who corruptly obtained $18k trip from 2 men Singapore ICJ's climate ruling may spur scrutiny of S'pore carbon tax, firms' climate action plans Singapore 'Switching careers just as I became a dad was risky, but I had to do it for my family' The process involves checks by the train manufacturer and an independent assessor to ensure all safety specifications are met. The 2024 EWL disruption was traced to a faulty part on a 37-year-old, first-generation Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) train , which caused extensive damage to 2.55km of track and trackside equipment as it was being withdrawn from service. Investigations found that SMRT had extended the interval between overhauls for the KHI fleet without a detailed engineering and risk assessment. However, LTA did not review the extension either, nor did it require SMRT to seek its approval. SMRT, meanwhile, has cited repeated delays to the delivery of new replacement trains that would have allowed it to retire the faulty train earlier. The new trains were ordered by LTA in 2018, two years after the authority took over ownership of SMRT's rail assets under a revised financing model. Under this model, LTA makes decisions regarding upgrading and asset replacement. The new trains were meant to arrive from 2021, in time for the KHI trains to be decommissioned. But they were delivered only from 2023 onwards. This was one of the factors that LTA took into account when it lowered the fine that SMRT would pay to the Public Transport Fund – to $2.4 million from $3 million – as a penalty for the September 2024 incident. The decision came after SMRT made its final representations on the matter. SMRT chairman Seah Moon Ming said on July 31 that the rail operator was faced with a 'tough choice' over whether to overhaul the old KHI trains, or wait for the new ones made by French company Alstom to arrive. He said MRT trains are usually overhauled after clocking 500,000km, which is about every four years, and the planning for such these works takes place about 1½ years in advance, so that the operator can source for the necessary parts. The KHI trains were last overhauled in 2018. After repeated delays to the new trains, SMRT decided to overhaul the KHI fleet again in 2022, Mr Seah said. But SMRT had trouble procuring spare parts due to global supply chain disruptions during the Covid-19 pandemic. Hence, it could start on modular overhaul works only in December 2023 using the limited parts available. By September 2024, 18 of out of 66 first-generation KHI trains were overhauled. But the faulty train that caused the major disruption that month was not among them. Mr Ngien, who was LTA chief executive from 2016 to 2020, said more proactive and deliberate decisions about the KHI overhaul could have been made earlier if there was better coordination between LTA, the asset owner and SMRT. He also revealed that the new Alstom trains had issues with overheating batteries when they were first delivered in 2023. 'Frankly, it's not reasonable to expect the operator to have a contingency plan to continue to overhaul, just in case, in 2021, the trains (were not delivered). Even so, there must be certain discussions and agreement as to the funding,' Mr Ngien added, noting that SMRT paid for the additional overhauls to the KHI fleet. In its statement on July 31, SMRT lauded the announcement in March that up to $1 billion in additional government funds will be invested over the next five years to improve the management of rail assets here. 'This is a positive step in addressing the challenges Singapore faces in managing train fleet transitions,' it said. SMRT said it also plans to deepen direct engagement with equipment manufacturers, pointing to its partnership with Alstom to accelerate the testing of the new North-South and East-West line (NSEWL) trains being delivered. 'This proactive approach allows potential reliability and interoperability issues to be resolved ahead of full deployment. We remain on track to retire all first-generation KHI trains by end-September 2025,' the operator added. There are 13 KHI trains still operating today, and they are used only during weekday peak hours. Meanwhile, 63 new Alstom trains have entered service on the NSEWL so far, out of the 106 trains on order.
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Straits Times
SMRT's finances hit by 2024 EWL disruption; profit after tax for trains division dips 8%
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Revenue growth was negatively impacted by a loss in income due to the East-West Line (EWL) breakdown in 2024, which affected one in six train trips daily from Sept 25 to 30 that year. SINGAPORE – The costs associated with a major six-day disruption on the East-West Line (EWL ) in September 2024 have weighed on the finances of rail operator SMRT Trains, which posted a 21 per cent decline in earnings and an 8 per cent dip in profit in the most recent financial year. SMRT said on July 31 that its trains division turned a $6.9 million profit after tax in the 12 months ending on March 31, 2025, representing a net profit margin of 0.75 per cent. This is down from $7.5 million in profit after tax during the previous financial year, which translated to a net margin of 0.85 per cent. SMRT, a wholly owned subsidiary of state investment company Temasek, said revenue from its rail operations rose 4 per cent to $918.2 million in the 2024/25 financial year, up from $886.7 million before. This came on the back of higher average fares, which were hiked in December 2024 by 6 per cent, as well as increased ridership on the four MRT lines and one LRT line that it operates. But revenue growth was negatively impacted by a loss in income due to the EWL breakdown in 2024, which affected one in six train trips daily from Sept 25 to 30 that year. For the six days of disruption, SMRT Trains provided free travel to passengers alighting at Jurong East and Buona Vista stations. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia US-Malaysia tariff deal set for Aug 1 after Trump-Anwar phone call Asia Malaysia PM Anwar says Trump to attend Asean Summit in October Multimedia 60 years, 60 items: A National Day game challenge Singapore Underground pipe leak likely reason for water supply issues during Toa Payoh fire: Town council Singapore Driver in 2024 Tampines crash that killed 2 set to plead guilty in October Singapore Jail for SCDF officer who had sexual relationship with 15-year-old girl he met as her CCA instructor Singapore 'Switching careers just as I became a dad was risky, but I had to do it for my family' The rail operator was also hit by the expenses it incurred to provide free bridging bus and shuttle services, as well as to repair extensive damage caused to 2.55km of track and trackside equipment. It was reported that the total cost borne by SMRT exceeded $10 million. This includes the $2.4 million fine that was levied by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) as a penalty for the service disruption. As a result, SMRT Trains' earnings before interest and tax slid to $4.9 million in FY24/25, down from $6.2 million before, the operator noted. Profit was boosted by higher interest income. Another silver lining was the more than $165 million in savings that SMRT was able to accrue from ground-up staff initiatives to improve productivity and safety. The company said these savings helped to ease the financial pressure. For instance, it was able to save $50 million in electricity costs through initiatives like optimising train energy use using data analytics, though this was offset by higher repair and maintenance costs, said SMRT chairman Seah Moon Ming. LTA's investigations into the 2024 EWL disruption, which involved a faulty part on a 37-year-old first-generation Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) train, found that SMRT had extended the interval between overhauls without a detailed engineering and risk assessment. However, LTA did not review the extension either, and did not require SMRT to seek its approval. SMRT, meanwhile, has cited repeated delays to the delivery of new replacement trains that would have allowed it to retire the faulty train earlier. The new trains were ordered by LTA in 2018, two years after the authority took over ownership of SMRT's rail assets under a revised financing model. They were meant to arrive from 2021 in time for the KHI trains to be decommissioned, but were delivered only from 2023 onwards. SMRT said it decided to overhaul the first-generation KHI trains as a result of these delays, but it pointed to challenges in procuring spare parts due to global supply chain disruptions during the Covid-19 pandemic. These factors were why LTA lowered the fine that SMRT will pay to the Public Transport Fund as a penalty for the September 2024 incident, to $2.4 million from $3 million. This was after SMRT made its final representations on the matter. SMRT said on July 31 that the 2024 EWL breakdown has prompted 'deeper reflections' on the challenges of operating rail assets beyond their intended lifespan. Noting that MRT trains in Singapore are designed to be operated for 30 years, it called for stronger frameworks to manage an ageing fleet of trains. It suggested that LTA issue a formal certificate to train operators confirming that such trains are safe to use beyond their designed lifespans. This is already being done for new trains before they enter service. 'If there was a tighter coordination across all the stakeholders... I think the September 2024 incident could have been prevented,' said SMRT group chief executive Ngien Hoon Ping, who was a former LTA head. 'We need robust, forward-looking, lifecycle planning, clear roles and responsibilities, and much tighter cross-agency collaboration going forward. Because if you don't learn the right lesson... it could happen again,' he added. SMRT said it also plans to deepen direct engagements with equipment manufacturers, pointing to its partnership with French train maker Alstom to accelerate the testing of new EWL and North-South Line (NSL) trains being delivered. 'This proactive approach allows potential reliability and interoperability issues to be resolved ahead of full deployment. We remain on track to retire all first-generation KHI trains by end-September 2025,' the operator added. There are 13 KHI trains still operating, and they are used only during weekday peak hours. In November, SMRT will complete a project dubbed Depot 4.0 to upgrade the 39-year-old Bishan Depot, which will double the depot's train overhaul capacity from two trains to four trains per month. Two years after the first Alstom Movia R151 train (pictured) was deployed on the North-South and East-West lines (NSEWL) in 2023, 61 of the latest seventh-generation MRT trains have now entered service. PHOTO: ST FILE This joint initiative with CRRC Qingdao Sifang will tap the Chinese train manufacturer's expertise, and leverage automation and digital solutions to improve maintenance quality. CRRC Qingdao Sifang has already produced trains for the North-South and East-West lines (NSEWL) and the Thomson-East Coast Line in a joint venture with KHI, and it will supply trains for the upcoming Cross Island Line. SMRT added: 'Depot 4.0 will serve as a model for designing future depots and renewing existing ones, helping to future-proof our train depots against growing demands.' In a joint message on July 31, Mr Seah and Mr Ngien also flagged the need for SMRT to diversify into new business areas. 'MRT fares in Singapore are one of the lowest in the world, while operational costs continue to rise,' they said. In 2024, SMRT restructured its businesses into two pillars: the public transport business comprising SMRT Trains and SMRT Buses; and the 'non-fare' businesses comprising Strides, which offers engineering, digital and mobility services, and Stellar Lifestyle, which manages retail and advertising spaces. Strides has since secured a six-year contract to provide transport services to the Elections Department, and the vehicle maintenance arm of taxi operator Strides Premier has inked deals with the likes of Changi Airport Group and the Republic of Singapore Air Force to service their fleets. An entity called Strides Technologies has also been created to tap the company's engineering nous to sell 'next-generation' rail solutions to the wider industry, including internationally. One example is its Project Overwatch initiative, which uses artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor train services. With the Ministry of Transport (MOT) set to make a major push to deploy autonomous vehicles (AVs) to strengthen the public transport network, SMRT said it has actively advanced its expertise in the field and trained selected bus drivers to have the relevant operational skills. The company said its 2022 investment in self-driving technology company WeRide supports a broader strategy to implement AV shuttles in Singapore. SMRT is exploring launching shuttle services with an AV manufacturer by early 2026.
