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This article has been assessed not ready for publication.Please see the review comments on the collaboration page. When these things have been done, and the article is ready to be reviewed and fact-checked, Submit for review?Template:Assistant/submit/formSingapore: SMRT Corporation dismisses eight employees, disciplines five more, over maintenance record falsification in tunnel flooding incidentSubmit for review by changing the |
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Please see the review comments on the collaboration page. When these things have been done, and the article is ready to be reviewed and fact-checked, Submit for review?Template:Assistant/submit/formSingapore: SMRT Corporation dismisses eight employees, disciplines five more, over maintenance record falsification in tunnel flooding incidentSubmit for review by changing the |
Monday, November 27, 2017
Singapore rail operator SMRT Corporation announced in a statement on Monday that it has terminated eight employees and implemented disciplinary measures against five more, after finding them responsible for falsifying the company’s anti-flooding system maintenance records. The sanctions come in the wake of an investigation by the company into the flooding of a tunnel on its North South Line (NSL) on October 7, which disrupted train service for more than 250,000 passengers.
SMRT’s investigation was prompted by water in the NSL’s Mass Rapid Transit tunnels between Bishan and Braddell stations, which led to flooding where the water was reportedly up to 30cm (about a foot) or more. The disruptions affected 13 stations on the NSL and lasted for about 20 hours, during which time SMRT employed bus services to provide commuters with transport along the affected stretches of the line.
Following the incident, while the cause of the pump and switch failure was not determined, owing to some of their components being functional in the aftermath, SMRT later determined that since last December, maintenance for the its Bishan portal sump pump system was improperly conducted. Additionally, the company found that in March and June of this year, there was a failure to properly conduct the quarterly maintenance cited in its manual, despite the fact that said maintenance was recorded as having been done and signed off on.
Due to the results of its investigation, SMRT stated that it will introduce new measures to prevent a recurrence, including improving its processes for maintenance and supervisory checks, and having checks be verified by an independent third party. SMRT has also stated that it is cooperating with the Land Transport Authority through the formation of a joint readiness inspection team to independently and systematically audit and monitor maintenance and asset replacement.
According to The Straits Times, the employees who were dismissed included “one senior executive, two managers and five technical staff”. The technical staff came from a work team who falsified records concerning pump maintenance, while the managers and senior executive were in charge of ensuring that the system was properly maintained.
Additionally, following SMRT’s investigation, vice-president Ng Tek Poo was demoted, and two senior management executives were subject to disciplinary measured undisclosed by the company. On Ng and the two senior management executives who were found to be culpable but remained with the company, SMRT stated that they were disciplined “according to our internal disciplinary framework for failing to exercise the due care and diligence expected of them in relation to the maintenance of the pumps”.
Two employees, vice-president Tay Tien Seng and senior manager Ivan Kok resigned before SMRT concluded its investigation. SMRT cited Tay and Kok, stating that they “failed to exercise sufficient supervision during the period when the falsification of the pump maintenance records occurred”. On their resignations, SMRT stated, “As they are no longer with the company, SMRT reserves its right to pursue legal action against them as may be appropriate”.
Tay had previously received a SkillsFuture fellowship last August, reported by The Straits Times as being issued to “exemplary Singaporeans and employers” to recognize “skills mastery in their respective fields as well as personal commitment to mentorship and the skills development of others”.
Responding to the disciplinary measures employed by SMRT, the National Transportation Workers’ Union (NTWU) stated that it “does not condone any action or inaction by workers that could cause harm to fellow workers and commuters or damage the operations of our public transport system”.
Melvin Yong, NTWU’s executive secretary, had this to say, “NTWU will support disciplinary actions executed by SMRT that are fairly and consistently applied to all workers concerned. […] On our part, NTWU is in contact with affected union members. We will assist them to find alternative employment and where necessary, provide financial assistance.”