SMRT INVESTIGATIONS HINTED THAT SUPERVISOR MIGHT BE NEGLIGENT

“On the day of the accident, a joint engineering team comprising six Signal staff (including four trainees) and nine Permanent Way staff (including two trainees) were tasked to examine a signaling condition monitoring device along the tracks near Pasir Ris MRT Station,” said SMRT.

“The device had earlier registered a warning of a possible fault that could affect train service. The engineering team made their way to the device in single file along the maintenance walkway. As they approached the device, the Signal team, led by the supervisor, stepped onto the track before protection measures were implemented.

“The supervisor narrowly avoided being hit by the oncoming train, but Nasrulhudin and Muhammad Asyraf, who were second and third in line, were unable to react in time.”

Some of protection measures that must be applied before workers are allowed on the track include setting the speed limit on the affected track sector to 0 km/h so that no train can enter on automated mode, watchmen deployed to look out for approaching trains and provide early warning to the work team.

Other factors identified as areas for improvement listed out by SMRT included track access management controls, communication protocols and track vigilance by various parties.

SMRT said the investigations were completed following a review by an Accident Review Panel and has been submitted to the Ministry of Manpower, the Singapore Police Force and the Land Transport Authority.

SMRT investigation said "while existing protection mechanisms are adequate, and current operating procedures continue to be relevant and applicable, these can be improved for greater clarity and ease of ground implementation".

“SMRT deeply regrets that the failure to apply a vital safety procedure led to the tragic accident on 22 March 2016,” and they are "comprehensively reviewing all its safety structures, processes and compliance".