SMRT worker
who suffered electrical burn had accessed live third
rail
SINGAPORE: An SMRT contractor who suffered an electrical burn
had gone to a sector – where the power had not been switched off –
without first seeking approval, SMRT said.
The incident, which happened on Thursday morning (May 26) at
about 1.50am, took place at Sembawang MRT station.
According to SMRT, three staff along with two contractors were
on the track by the platform of the station to conduct maintenance
work during engineering hours.
“Initial investigations indicate that the maintenance team was
given approval to access a sector of the track, where traction
power had been switched off,” said Mr Patrick Nathan, SMRT’s Vice
President of Corporate Information and Communication.
However, the contractor went to an adjacent sector instead, for
which prior approval had not been sought and where the traction
power had not been switched off.
He then proceeded to use a gauge to measure the height and
distance from the third rail to the running rail at the
unauthorised sector. When the gauge came into contact with the live
third rail, he was jolted by an electrical shock and sustained burn
injuries to his left hand.
The third rail supplies electrical power to trains.
The incident also triggered the circuit breaker at the station
switch room, Mr Nathan said.
The worker, who is in his 20s, was taken to Khoo Teck Puat
Hospital. He has since been discharged, SMRT said.
The latest incident comes after two rail workers were killed
after they were hit by an oncoming train near Pasir Ris MRT Station
on Mar 22. SMRT admitted after the accident that the maintenance
staff had not followed safety procedures.
When asked whether SMRT will review its safety protocols after
the latest incident, the transport operator said it will conduct a
detailed investigation.
“SMRT will continue with more detailed investigations to
determine how existing procedures can be effectively strengthened.
All persons working on SMRT trains and infrastructure must be
supervised and properly safeguarded,” Mr Nathan said.
- CNA/cy