How SMRT Cultivated Positive Safety Mind-Set and Improved MRT Safety

1. How SMRT Cultivated Positive Safety Mind-Set and Improved MRT Safety A good transportation system gets people from one location to another quickly, affordably, and safely. According to a survey, the percentage of people who said they were satisfied with Singapore’s mass rapid transit (MRT)is 97.6 percent. Commuters believe that MRT’s safety and security, waiting time, reliability, service information, bus interchange or bus stop or MRT station accessibility, comfort, travel time, and customer service are good and that’s why they are satisfied with the public transportation system. This all comes down to the efforts taken by transport operators like SMRT Corporation and the Land Transport Authority. SMRT, the leading multi-modal transport operator in Singapore, believes in operational and service excellence. Safety is its top priority. The company involves all levels of management and employees in creating a safe environment for its employees, commuters, and other stakeholders. Here is how SMRT cultivated a positive safety mindset. 1. To drive safety through both top-down and bottom-up approaches, SMRT has appointed employees with specific safety roles. These employees are equipped with the necessary knowledge, skills, and qualifications. 2. The company has launched e-learning services for employees on various safety topics, such as human factors, depot safety, track access safety, track safety, fire safety, and hearing protection. 3. It organises annual Safety & Security Day, Trains Safety & Security Forum, and Roads Safety & Security Forum to promote cross-learning among employees. 4. 97% of SMRT’s road and train employees participated in the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council’s Culture SAFE Perception Survey. 5. SMRT started Project Magnify in 2020 to reinforce our commitment to safety and security. The project also focuses on raising awareness, and remind staff members to work safely. 6. SMRT employees actively participate in multiple Kaizen projects with the aim to improve safety at the workplace. One such example is the creation of the Speed Tester for Train Traction Control Unit (TCU) Blower by SMRT’s Rolling Stock maintenance team for which the team received Gold Award at the WSH Innovation Awards 2019 for Logistics & Transport Sector. 7. SMRT has started other security projects to address security vulnerabilities in the transportation system including Project Viking, Project Hawkeye, and the electronic keypress system. 8. SMRT organises public safety road shows “We Care About Your Journey” to raise awareness on the safe use of facilities. It has also started various public education videos on safety and security to better engage with commuters. SMRT CEO, Neo Kian Hong, said: “We are determined to create a Zero Safety Incident operating environment by strengthening our safety systems and processes.” He further added,“For example, Division Safety Officers have been appointed to assist all divisions in the planning and execution of their safety efforts and ensure tighter safety-operation integration across divisions.”

2. For SMRT’s various safety and security efforts, the company has received awards like the Safe Rail Line of the Year – Certificate of Excellence for the North-South Line. Most Innovative/Effective Safety Programme by a Public Transport Operator for SMRT’s Buses Professional Learning and Training Management System (PROLEARN) Analytics. Conclusion As a public transport operator, SMRT puts efforts into continuous improvement of safety and security in the public transport system. The company has been successful in cultivating a positive safety mindset among employees. They proactively contribute to improving the safety and security of the public transportation system and the workplace.