SMRT director charged for fatal accident involving 2 SMRT employees

The Attorney-General’s Chambers has charged SMRT Trains Ltd and two of its employees following the fatal accident that took place on 22 March 2016 along the MRT tracks between Tampines Station and Pasir Ris Station.

On the morning of 22 March 2016, an MRT train travelling from Tampines Station to Pasir Ris Station collided into and killed two SMRT employees, Nasrulhudin Bin Najumudin and Muhammad Asyraf Bin Ahmad Buhari. The two deceased persons were part of a work party of 15 SMRT employees led by the officer-in-charge, Lim Say Heng (“Lim”), to carry out
inspection works on the MRT tracks.

Investigations have been conducted by the Police and the Ministry of Manpower. On 1 December 2016 SMRT Trains Ltd and one of its senior officers, the Director of Control Operations, Mr Teo Wee Kiat (“Teo”), have been charged under the Workplace Safety and Health Act (Cap 354A, 2009 Rev Ed) (“WSHA”) for failing to take necessary measures to ensure the safety of SMRT’s employees. Lim has been charged with causing death by a negligent act under the Penal Code (Cap 224, 2008 Rev Ed).

Investigations are still ongoing to determine if any other individuals may be liable for workplace safety lapses in connection with the tragic incident on 22 March 2016.