ACCIDENT AT MRT VIADUCT (Preventive measures)

Mr Goh Choon Kang asked the Minister for Communications, in view of the accident caused by a five-tonne piling hammer which crashed onto a MRT viaduct near Paya Lebar MRT Station and damaged a moving train on 8th April 1996, what measures will be taken to prevent similar occurrence to ensure the safety of MRT passengers.

The Minister of State for Communications (Mr Goh Chee Wee) (for the Minister for Communications): The accident on 8th April 1996, where a piling vibrohammer fell on the MRT viaduct at Geylang East Avenue 2, happened in spite of the various measures taken to safeguard the safety of the MRT track. These measures include not allowing any encroachment of any part of a crane within 3m from the edge of the viaduct and regulating the movement and operation of cranes, piling equipment, excavators and other mechanical equipment within 10m from the edge of the viaduct.

The Ministry of Labour's (MOL) investigations found that the safety catch of the crane's hook, which held the vibrohammer, was defective. As a result, the shackle of the vibrohammer was dislodged from the crane's hook during the piling of a sheet pile. As the dislodged vibrohammer remained clipped onto the sheet pile, its weight caused the pile to buckle and topple over, resulting in the hammer crashing onto the edge of the MRT viaduct. MOL will be taking action against the contractor for employing a crane hook with a defective safety catch. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) will also be taking action against the crane operator for damaging the MRT viaduct.

As an immediate measure to prevent a recurrence of a similar incident, LTA has requested all developers and contractors whose construction worksites are near MRT viaducts to have a professional engineer to be on site to provide standing supervision for all construction activities. This requirement was announced on 9th April 1996.

On 17th April 1996, after MOL had completed its investigation of the accident, additional preventive measures were introduced for worksites near MRT tracks. These include the following:

(1) Contractors must carry out hazard analysis of the works that may affect the Rapid Transit System's structure and track, and develop a set of safe working procedures to be approved by MOL's Department of Industrial Safety;

(2) Contractors must engage a safety supervisor to supervise the works to ensure that the works are carried out in accordance with the approved safe working procedures; and

(3) To ensure compliance with the work procedures, these sites will be inspected regularly by officers from both the Department of Industrial Safety and LTA.

The Ministry of Communications and the LTA take a serious view of the incident and will do all that is necessary to ensure the safety of commuters. Current regulations already restrict activities within the defined boundaries of 3m, 10m, 40m and 60m from the edge of the viaduct. LTA is reviewing the protection zones for restricted activities.