thin king

Mind the platform gaps 

This is a cautionary warning that SMRT commuters would be very familiar with. This is because the gaps between the trains and the platforms at some of the stations are big enough for commuters legs to slip through. Obviously a mishap like this is very hurtful, resulting in a leg being crushed or even severed. Thus this warning is always sounded whenever the train is arriving at those stations, 

Despite this constant warning, commuters still have their legs slipping through the gaps. Carelessness is always with us and accidents should be expected as long as the gaps exist. Narrowing of the gaps at some of the stations as reported in the press did not totally eliminate such accidents. And no matter how narrow the gaps the chances of legs slipping through remain possible. Commuters do not have standard leg sizes. 

And as prevention may not be totally possible, preparedness for rescue operations must therefore be attended to with the utmost urgency. The image of a commuter with their leg in the gap down to their thigh certainly makes any onlooker cringe. What if the coach sways and tilts. If the coach can remain stationary, rescue can take its time. Otherwise some way must be made to make the coach stay still until rescue personnel arrive. One way to do this is to insert wedges in the gap immediately. These wedges would prevent the gap from narrowing but only remain wider should the coach sways or tilts. By chance the gap may because of the wedges become wider to allow the leg to be freed by itself. 

Wedges can be made for ready use at suitable locations along the platforms.