In the SMRT war room yesterday morning
DES QUAKE is worried. He looked over the Accident Panel Review report that had been prepared for public consumption and thought, if only this can be changed to incident panel review… But no, this would be stretching things too far. His PR people had told him two deaths can’t be dismissed as an incident.
He wished he could present the findings to a military court which will at least be kept out of the public eye. The SAF would know the importance of protecting the integrity of the defence system. He shook his head, wondering why people were so obsessed with transport issues. Couldn’t they just march home?
He hoped the report made as little sense to others as it did to him. He had asked about the safety lapses and was given three:
a. Someone didn’t set the speed limit on the track sector to 0 km/h, so that trains cannot enter on automated mode. He had asked whose job this was but didn’t get a proper reply. Was it the supervisor who led the team on the tracks? Or the supervisor who told the supervisor to lead the team on the tracks? Whose command was this?
b. Someone didn’t deploy watchmen to look out for on-coming trains. So there was no signaler? No one guarding the perimeter? Who’s the commander or line officer who has to do the deployment?
c. Failing to provide early warning to the team. He wondered why this last one was in because definitely, there was no warning. He was told that better give three and not two reasons.
His staff trooped into the room, looking at their boots. Des Quake barked: “You think this is good enough? People won’t ask for more specifics?’’
The rotund one who kept failing his IPPT tests answered: “If the Hepatitis C outbreak report can be vague, so can our report. Nobody knows who was supposed to do what in the Ministry or SGH or what the specific lapses are anyway. Sama sama with us.’’
The thin one who was always currying favour with him said: “Don’t worry. We’re sure minister will do a Gan Kim Yong and say that there shouldn’t be a blame culture.’’
The tall one saluted and intoned: “We’ll just say protection measures did not kick in before the men got on the tracks. So at least we can say the system is good.’’
Des Quake thought it was odd that a private operator should have such ministerial cover, but Khaw Boon Wan has been good to operators, cheering them on to the 100-day Club.
He remember the tremors that day when he was told of the deaths and how he put his boot in his mouth by saying that SOPs were followed. So now however it’s fudged, SOPs were not followed.
A thought struck him like a bazooka.
“But there was a driver on the train. Why didn’t he see the men? Could he have done something. Also why did the train suddenly switch tracks?’’
Blank looks.
The rotund one who always siam work said: “Sir, best to give less, not more info.’’
The thin one, clearly gunning for his next promotion, said: “We already have a good phrase which says that while existing safety mechanisms are adequate, and current operating procedures continue to be relevant and applicable, these can be improved for greater clarity and ease of ground implementation.’’
The tall one barked: “Sir! It means the system is fine, Sir! But the people are the problem. Sir!’’
He gave the command to fall out. Perhaps, now he can senang diri… But who knows what will happen later in the day. Or night. He can’t be that suay.
Zzzzzz.
Here are Bertha’s past In the SMRT war room posts:
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Featured Image by Sean Chong.
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- Bertha Henson
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