SMRT concludes investigation into accident that led to the death of two staff

Critical safety procedures were not followed when the accident which led to the death of two SMRT maintenance staff members happened, SMRT said on Monday (April 25^th) after completing its investigations into the mishap near Pasir Ris MRT Station on March 22^nd, reported The Straits Times. 

The investigations found that the deaths of Nasrulhudin Najumudin, 26, and Muhammad Asyraf Ahmad Buhari, 24, could have been avoided had safety measures been put into place. The Accident Review Panel concluded that while existing safety protection mechanisms are adequate, and current operating procedures continue to be relevant and applicable, they can be improved for greater clarity and ease of ground implementation.

Before a work team is allowed onto the track, protection measures must be taken. This includes setting the speed limit on the affected track sector to 0km/h so that no train can enter on automated mode, and deploying watchmen to look out for approaching trains. The panel determined that these vital safety protection measures were not taken. It also said that the effectiveness of such protection before entry into the work site was not ensured as required under existing procedures, directly causing the accident.

In a released statement, the rail operator said that it "deeply regrets" the failure to put into place safety procedures that led to the two deaths. "SMRT Trains has taken immediate steps to ensure stricter enforcement of procedures, strengthened system ownership and control across levels and work teams, and tightened supervision within teams to prevent a recurrence," it said, adding that it was "comprehensively reviewing" all safety structures, processes and compliance.