SMRT and two employees charged over fatal train accident in March

THE Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) on Thursday charged SMRT Trains and two of its employees over an accident in March this year in which two SMRT employees were killed.

SMRT Trains and one of its senior officers, director of control operations Teo Wee Kiat, have been charged under the Workplace Safety and Health Act for failing to take necessary measures to ensure the safety of employees.

Another employee, Lim Say Heng, has been charged with causing death by a negligent act under the Penal Code.

On the morning of March 22, 2016, an MRT train travelling from Tampines station to Pasir Ris station collided into and killed the two SMRT employees, Nasrulhudin Bin Najumudin and Muhammad Asyraf Bin Ahmad Buhari.

The two were part of a work party of 15 led by Mr Lim, who was the officer-in-charge. The team was carrying out inspection works on the MRT tracks.

The investigations have been conducted by the police and the Ministry of Manpower, and are still ongoing to determine if any other people may be liable for workplace safety lapses in connection with what the AGC called a "tragic incident".

Responding to this, the National Transport Workers' Union released a media statement, saying it will continue to work closely with its member, Mr Lim, to provide him and his family support, and to ensure that he is fairly represented.

"We will also continue to gather feedback from our workers, and work with the relevant agencies, stakeholders in the industry to provide a safe working environment for our workers," it said.

"Whilst we cannot comment on any ongoing legal proceedings, the union maintains that it is important to allow due process to take its course and all facts to be revealed before drawing any conclusions."

Mr Teo, being at a director level, is not represented by the union.

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