FOREST SERVICE HANDBOOK
NORTHERN REGION (R1)
MISSOULA, MONTANA
R1 FSH 6709.12 - SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAM
HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 30 - ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION AND
REPORTING
Supplement No.: R1 6709.12-2015-1
Effective Date 7/15/2015
Duration: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
Approved: Leanne M. Marten, Regional Forester
Date Approved: 7/15/2015
Posting Instructions: Handbook supplements are numbered consecutively by Handbook
number and calendar year. Post by document; remove the entire document and replace it with
this supplement. Retain this transmittal as the first page(s) of this document.
Last Change: 6709.12-2014-1 (4/25/2014)
New Document: 6709.12_30, 15 Pages
Superseded Document(s): 6709.12-2012-2 (06/22/2012)
Digest:
32.1 – Updates contacts, names, phone numbers, and events for emergency notification, and
makes minor editorial changes.
32.2- Updates notification criteria and processes related to reporting to OSHA.
33- Updates the process and procedures for reviews and analyzing mishaps.
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R1 FSH 6709.12 - SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAM HANDBOOK
Chapter 30 - ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION AND REPORTING
Supplement No.:R1 6709.12-2015-1 - Effective Date: 7/17/2015
31 – ACCOUNTABILITY
31.1 – Chargeable Injuries, Illness, and Fatalities
Personal Injuries and Illnesses: Personal injuries and illnesses requiring the establishment of
an Office of Worker’s Compensation (OWCP) case are charged to the home unit due to the
administrative process imposed by the OWCP.
Vehicle Accidents: The home unit is charged with vehicle accidents occuring at any location so
long as the employee remains under administrative control of the home unit. If, however, the
administrative control of the employee shifts to other than the home unit, the vehicle accident is
charged to that unit.
32 – ACCIDENT NOTIFICATION
32.1 – Notification Criteria and Process Vehicle
Immediately report all vehicle accidents occurring in a municipality to the local police
department. This includes accidents involving only Forest Service vehicles. All vehicle
incidents shall be reported into the eSafety database (SF91) with documentation. If the civil
authority elects not to investigate the accident, the employee involved in the accident is
responsible for filing all report forms in accordance with the particular state, county, and city
laws. All vehicle accident investigations and claims with employees and the public will be
handled by LEI (Law Enforcement and Investigations).
32.2-Notification Criteria and Process injuries and illness
Fatality/Injury/Illness Notification. Under the revised rule, (CFR 1904.39) notification to OSHA of
work-related fatality as a result of a Forest Service activity shall be reported within eight hours,
and work-related in-patient hospitalizations of one employee, amputations or loss of an eye
within 24 hours. Units shall report to the Regional Safety and Health Office immediately and the
notification will be completed by the Regional Safety and Occupation Health Director to OSHA.
Regional Forester and Deputy Regional Foresters shall be given notification.
Notification of LEI and Regional Safety and Health Office is required if one or more private
citizens die or death is likely as a result of activity on National Forests and Grasslands.
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R1 FSH 6709.12 - SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAM HANDBOOK
Chapter 30 - ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION AND REPORTING
Supplement No.:R1 6709.12-2015-1 - Effective Date: 7/17/2015
Fatality/Injury/Illness Notification
NAME/ TITLE
OFFICE PHONE
CELL PHONE
David Goodin,
Regional Safety &
Occupation Health Director
Dave Schmid
Deputy Regional
Forester
Jane Darnell
Deputy Regional Forester
(DASHO)
Leanne Marten
Regional Forester
Tim Walther
Law Enforcement
406-329-3237
406-544-3597
Regional
Incident
Dispatcher
406-329-4880
406-329-3311
406-273-8573
406-329-4880
406-329-3317
406-830-0386
406-329-4880
406-329-3315
406-317-3097
406-329-4880
406-329-3114
406-670-7984
406-670-7984
1. Aircraft Accidents. Report all aircraft accidents to the Regional Aviation Safety
Manager, Regional Safety and Health Director, and the local LEI Patrol Captain.
Title
Gary Boyd
Regional Aviation Safety
Manager
Office Phone
406-329-3235
Cell Phone
406-370-9707
If the Regional Aviation Manager cannot be reached, contact the Forest Aviation Manger:
For every Forest Service accident in which the potential for claims against the federal
government exists, two independent yet coordinated investigations will be performed. LEI will
investigate for legal and claims purposes; and the Office of Safety and Occupational Health
(OSOH) will investigate for accident prevention and learning purposes.
2. Notification Criteria and Process. Required notifications and investigation levels,
based on event severity, are set forth in the following exhibits 01 through 08.
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Chapter 30 - ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION AND REPORTING
Supplement No.:R1 6709.12-2015-1 - Effective Date: 7/17/2015
32.1 – Exhibit 01
ALL EMPLOYEE
OCCUPATIONAL INJURY/ILLNESS
EVENT
Minor injury or illness. (First Aid)
NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Subunit head, through the work supervisor
District/Forest/Grassland Line Officer notify
Forest/Grassland Safety and Health Manager
Severe injury or illness – beyond first aid.
(Days away from work and temporary
assignment) OSHA Recordable.
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Subunit head (District Ranger)
Forest Supervisor
Forest Safety and Health Manager
Local Unit Reviews- Learning: May request
assistance or have RO S&H lead.
Serious injury or illness – requiring
hospitalization or occupational fatality (or
likely death) to Forest Service employee.
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District Line Officer/Forest Supervisor
Forest/Grassland Safety and Health Manager
Notification with-in 8 to 24 hours of the Regional
Safety & Health Director and Deputy Regional
Forester
LEI Patrol Captain
Regional or National Review Learning and/or
Investigations.
Regional Forester to notify WO.
Subunit head, through the work supervisor
Forest Safety and Health Manager
Forest Chainsaw/Crosscut Coordinator
Local Unit Reviews Learning and/or
investigations, May request assistance or have
RO S&H lead.
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
Chainsaw/Crosscut incidents
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Chapter 30 - ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION AND REPORTING
Supplement No.:R1 6709.12-2015-1 - Effective Date: 7/17/2015
32.1 – Exhibit 02
PUBLIC-RELATED INJURY/ILLNESS
EVENT
Serious injury or illness – requiring
hospitalization individuals (PUBLIC)
Fatality (or likely death) – one or more
private citizens dies (PUBLIC)
Property – destroy or damage of (PUBLIC)
NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
 LEI Patrol Captain
 Forest/Grasslands Safety and Health Manager
 LEI has lead on investigation working with Line
Officer.
 LEI Patrol Captain
 Forest Supervisor
 Forest Safety and Health Manager
 Notification with-in 24 hours of the Regional
Safety & Health Director and Deputy Regional
Forester
 LEI has lead on investigation working with Line
Officer.
 Regional S&H to notify WO.
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LEI Patrol Captain
Subunit head (District Ranger)
Forest Supervisor
Forest Safety and Health Manager
Notification with-in 24 hours of the Regional
Safety & Health Manager and Deputy Regional
Forester if over $150,000 dollars
LEI has lead on investigation working with Line
Officer.
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Chapter 30 - ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION AND REPORTING
Supplement No.:R1 6709.12-2015-1 - Effective Date: 7/17/2015
32.1 – Exhibit 03
FIRE/ALL RISK INCIDENTS/ACCIDENTS
EVENT
Entrapment – a situation where personnel
are unexpectedly caught in a fire behaviorrelated, life-threatening position where
planned escape routes or safety zones are
absent, inadequate, or compromised.
Entrapment may or may not include
deployment of a fire shelter for its intended
purpose.
Fire Shelter Deployment – the removing of a
fire shelter from its case and using it as
protection against fire. The fire shelter
deployment may or may not be associated
with entrapment. Any time a fire shelter is
deployed (other than for training purposes);
regardless of circumstances
NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
 Forest Supervisor/District Ranger
 Forest Safety and Health Manager
 Notification with-in 24 hours of the Regional
Safety & Health Director and Deputy Regional
Forester.
 Regional Director of Fire and Aviation
 Regional or National Review and Learning
(depending on severity)
 Regional Forester notify WO.
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Serious Wildland Fire Accident – an
unplanned event or series of events that
results in death, injury, occupational illness,
or damage to, or loss of, equipment or
property wildland fire operations, or a
serious accident involves any of the
following:
 One or more fatalities
 Employee who is inpatient
hospitalized as a direct result of, or
in support of, wildland fire
operations
 Property or equipment damage of
$100,000 or more
 Consequences that the Designated
Agency Safety and Health Official
(DASHO) judges to warrant
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Forest Supervisor
Forest Safety and Health Manager
Notification with-in 24 hours of the Regional
Safety & Health Director and Deputy Regional
Forester.
Regional Director of Fire and Aviation
Regional or National Learning (depending on
severity)
Regional Forester notify WO.
Subunit head (District Ranger)
Forest Supervisor
Forest Safety and Health Manager
Notification with-in8 or 24 hours of the Regional
Safety & Health Director and Deputy Regional
Forester
Regional Director of Fire and Aviation
LEI Patrol Captain
Regional or National Learning Review
Regional Forester notify WO.
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Chapter 30 - ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION AND REPORTING
Supplement No.:R1 6709.12-2015-1 - Effective Date: 7/17/2015
32.1 – Exhibit 04
AIRCRAFT INCIDENTS/ACCIDENTS
EVENT
Aircraft accidents and incidents – Forest
Service and contract to Forest Service
Aircraft accidents and incidents – non
Forest Service – other Agencies not
working on Forest Service projects at the
time, for example Fish and Game, USGS
Private aircraft accidents on National
Forests and Grasslands
NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
 Forest Supervisor
 Forest Safety and Health Manager
 Notification of the Regional Aviation Safety
Manger, Regional Safety & Health Director and
Deputy Regional Forester
 LEI Patrol Captain, LEI for claims investigation
 All aviation incidents will be investigated by NTSB
and USFS will be a party to these incidents
investigations.
 Regional Forester notify WO.
 Forest Supervisor
 Forest Safety and Health Manager
 Notification with-in 24 hours of the Regional
Aviation Safety Manager, Regional Safety & Health
Manager and Deputy Regional Forester
 LEI Patrol Captain
 These aviation accidents will be done by FAA or
NTSB
 Regional S&H notify WO.
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Forest Supervisor
Forest Safety and Health Manager
Notification with-in 24 hours of the Regional
Aviation Safety Manger, Regional Safety & Health
Director and Deputy Regional Forester
LEI Patrol Captain
These aviation accidents will be done by FAA or
NTSB
Regional S&H notify WO.
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R1 FSH 6709.12 - SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAM HANDBOOK
Chapter 30 - ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION AND REPORTING
Supplement No.:R1 6709.12-2015-1 - Effective Date: 7/17/2015
32.1 – Exhibit 05
MOTOR VEHICLE – PACK & RIDING STOCK ACCIDENTS/INCIDENTS
EVENT
Total damage up to $1,000 – as a result of
a motor vehicle accident involving a
Government owned, leased, or rented
motor vehicle (includes private vehicle on
official use)
Total damage in excess of $1,000 – as a
result of a motor vehicle accident involving
a Government owned, leased, or rented
motor vehicle (includes private vehicle on
official use)
Injury of pack and/or riding stock –
involving a Government owned, leased, or
rented vehicle in a work related incident
Death of pack and/or riding stock –
involving a Government owned leased, or
rented vehicle in a work related incident
NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
 Subunit head (District Ranger)
 Forest Supervisor
 Forest Safety and Health Manager
 Forest Fleet
 LEI Patrol Captain
 LEI and Local Unit Reviews
 Subunit head (District Ranger)
 Forest Supervisor
 Forest Safety and Health Manager
 Forest Fleet
 LEI Patrol Captain
 LEI and Local Unit Reviews
 Subunit head (District Ranger)
 Forest Supervisor
 Forest Safety and Health Manager
 LEI Patrol Captain
 Local Unit Reviews
 Subunit head (District Ranger)
 Forest Supervisor
 Forest Safety and Health Manager
 LEI Patrol Captain
 Regional Safety & Health Director
 Local Unit Reviews for Learning and investigations
-May request assistance from RO S&H.
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Chapter 30 - ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION AND REPORTING
Supplement No.:R1 6709.12-2015-1 - Effective Date: 7/17/2015
32.1 – Exhibit 06
ACCIDENTAL PROPERTY DAMAGE
EVENT
Damage of $350 to $1,000 to Government
property
Damage in excess of $1,000 to less than
$100,000 to Government property
Property damage, excluding forest fires, of
$100,000 or more
NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
 Subunit Manager (District Ranger)
 LEI Patrol Captain
 Local Unit with LEI for claims
 Subunit Manager (District Ranger)
 Forest Safety and Health Manager
 Forest Supervisor
 LEI Patrol Captain
 Local Unit with LEI for claims
 Subunit Manager (District Ranger)
 Forest Safety and Health Manager
 Regional Safety & Health Director
 Deputy Regional Forester
 LEI Patrol Captain
 Regional Review and/or LEI for claims
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R1 FSH 6709.12 - SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAM HANDBOOK
Chapter 30 - ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION AND REPORTING
Supplement No.:R1 6709.12-2015-1 - Effective Date: 7/17/2015
32.1 – Exhibit 07
CONTRACTORS ACCIDENTAL INCIDENTS
EVENT
Damage of property – involving a
Government owned, lease, or rented
vehicle in a work related incident
Severe injury or illness – including broken
bones, eye injuries, poisoning, burns,
chemical contamination or hospitalization
Serious injury or illness – requiring
hospitalization of individual or Fatality of
a Contractor on Forest Service project
NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
 Subunit Manager (District Ranger)
 Subunit Contracting Officer
 Forest Supervisor
 Forest Safety and Health Manager
 LEI Patrol Captain
 Local Unit Reviews as necessary, LEI for claims
 Subunit Manager (District Ranger)
 Subunit Contracting Officer
 Forest Supervisor
 Forest Safety and Health Manager
 LEI Patrol Captain
 Local Unit Reviews as necessary, LEI for claims
 Subunit Manager (District Ranger)
 Subunit Contracting Officer
 Forest Supervisor
 Forest Safety and Health Manager
 LEI Patrol Captain
 Notification with-in 24 hours of the Regional
Safety & Health Director and Deputy Regional
Forester
 Regional S&H to notify WO
 Company to notify OSHA
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Chapter 30 - ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION AND REPORTING
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32.1 – Exhibit 08
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS/PESTICIDE ACCIDENT
EVENT
Release of a reportable quantity of a
hazardous substance into the
environment. Fire, breakage, spillage, or
suspected contamination from a shipment
material. Release of a reportable quantity
of a hazardous substance into the
environment
Accidental dumping or spillage of 5 gallons
of pesticide concentrate or mix. Adverse
effects of pesticide use on humans, fish,
birds, wildlife, farm animals, trees and
crops, homes, and other components of
the environment
NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
 Subunit Manager (District Ranger)
 Forest Supervisor
 Forest Safety and Health Manager
 LEI Patrol Captain
 Notify RO Engineering, Hazardous Materials
(HazMat) Coordinator and Regional Health &
Safety Director.
 Local Unit
 LEI lead on claims
 Subunit Manager (District Ranger)
 Forest Safety and Health Manager
 Forest Supervisor
 Regional Health & Safety Director
 Regional S&PF Pesticide Coordinator
 Regional Hazardous Materials Coordinator
 LEI Patrol Captain
 Local Unit Reviews and Regional S&PF Pesticide
Coordinator
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33– REVIEW AND ANALYZING MISHAPS procedures
33.1– Initial Procedures
Reviews shall be conducted for all incidents, mishaps or accidents, regardless of severity,
require some degree of review. The depth of the review may vary depending on the nature of
the incident. Every mishap shall be analyzed, reviewed or investigated to the extent necessary
to determine the facts, conditions, and background factors. In order to provide necessary
documentation and reveal factual information to be applied as appropriate preventative
measures. Each Forest/Grasslands/District within the Northern Region shall conduct mishap
reviews, unless the incident or accident meets specific criteria requiring a Chief’s or Regional
team. The Unit may contact their Forest/Grasslands Safety Manager or Regional Safety and
Occupational Health Director for assistance.
All incident or accident forms( CA-1 for personal injuries and CA-2 for illnesses) shall be entered
into the eSafety database by the employee or capable employee and then reviewed by their
supervisor. The Forest/Grasslands Safety Manager shall complete the final review.
Documentation shall be reviewed within ten days from the incident by the Safety Manager.
Accurate data on treatment(s), days off, and light duty must be recorded and updated to
maintain a current OSHA log. All mishap/accident reviews, analysis and investigations shall be
downloaded into the eSafety program by the unit Safety Manager.
Supervisor and employees’ shall to forward all Office of Worker’s Compensation Program
(OWCP) claims and other cases involving costs immediately to the Albuquerque Service Center
(ASC).
Unit Line Officers and Safety Managers shall be notified of mishaps and accidents occurring on
all-risk incidents. Incident Teams assigned to units shall follow the delegation of authority and
notify appropriate unit personnel.
33.2 – Multiagency Investigations
Joint reviews and investigations will be conducted for multijurisdictional accidents. Such
reviews shall be administered by all agencies involved with the accident. The degree of Forest
Service participation shall depend on the circumstances of the accident. The Regional Office of
Safety and Health shall coordinate with the involved Forest Service unit, the appropriate
Washington Office staffs, and other agency headquarters (FSM 6731.5). Accidents involving
more than one agency will require a collaboratively developed delegation of authority that is
signed by each of the respective agencies. (Reference USDA Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) 04/20/2015)
33.3 – Chief’s Office (CRP) Coordinated Response Protocol Team
A Chief’s Office CRP team may review any incident or mishap/accident. Accidents involving
single and multiple employee fatalities or hospitalization of three or more employees, and
aircraft accidents shall be done by the Chief’s Office unless the Regional Forester and Chief
make the decision to allow the region to review the mishap.
33.4 – Region, Station, and Area Investigations
The Regional Forester shall appoint a team for any serious incident or accident that is not being
investigated by the Chief’s Office. This includes single fatalities, serious injuries, high profile
and high risk mishaps or illnesses, major property damage, aircraft incidents, forests or
grasslands in need of assistance and incidents with serious potential not investigated by the
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Chief’s Office or a Washington Office-appointed team (FSM 6704), or is delegated back to the
Region by the Washington Office.
33.5 – Forests and Grasslands
If it is found that criminal activity has taken place, the safety review will report to LEI and meet
with the Line Officer to evaluate the system safety, risk management and latent conditions that
exist at the work site that may have contributed to an incident or mishap/accident.
A course of action should be determined in order to eliminate recurrence risk. Prevention efforts
may be applied at the district, forest or grassland level. Incident or accident investigations shall
be fact-finding, not fault-finding, in order to promote learning and provide preventative measures
to lower recurrence or reducing future accidents.
A copy of the reviews / investigation shall be forwarded to the appropriate Safety and Health
Manager. A Lessons Learned Summary should also be a part of this documentation. The
Safety Manager shall review the case for final signature and place into the eSafety database.
33.5– Responsibilities for Mishap Reviews
1) Line Officers, Staff Officers and Supervisors shall support and ensure:
a) The medical needs of the parties involved in the accident and to the welfare of those
employees affected by the event are attended to.
b) Accidents (injuries, damage to property, equipment and vehicles, etc.) and near-miss
events are reported within established time lines and reviews are conducted to
determine factors, systemic organization weaknesses that could have led up to these
events and seek out opportunities for learning, or organizational improvement. All shall
be documented and included for final review by the Line Officer.
c) Encourages employees to report accidents and near miss events without fear of reprisal
in order to foster an organizational culture of trust and reporting.
d) Safety mishap reviews and analysis of mishaps are not used as the basis for employee
disciplinary action.
e) Leadership engagement and employee involvement are foundational to learning to
prevent future mishaps.
f)
Provide all initial documentation and evidence to the supervisor, fact-finding team
depending on the severity of the mishap, once their reviews commence.
g) Correct any deficiencies/organizational weaknesses identified by the mishap review
2) Regional Safety Director :
a) Recommend learning procedures and team makeup for mishap reviews and when indepth analysis and/or investigation are needed.
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Chapter 30 - ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION AND REPORTING
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b) Facilitate communication of findings and corrective actions to appropriate officials and
affected employees.
c) Assist units in coordinating a Learning Analysis and reviews when appropriate.
d) Communicate with unit Line Officer, Regional Forester staff and unit Safety Manager the
need and improvements of reviews and follow-up to enhance prevention.
e) Set-up briefings and meetings facilitate communication and coordinate with OSHA, other
regions and agencies.
3) Supervisor Responsibilities:
a) Ensure that all accidents involving their employees are entered into eSafety within 72
hours of the event. (Note: If both the injured employee and direct supervisor are on
deployed assignments, such as wildfire, they will make every attempt to work with the
local staff or local Safety Manager to enter the mishap event into eSafety within 72
Hours)
b) In consultation with their line officers and unit safety managers, ensure that all employee
accidents are reviewed / investigated and relevant information is documented (which
shall be attached to the CA1 or CA2 in eSafety) for learning all causes and findings and
to prevent future recurrence.
c) Contact the ASC Workers Comp. Group to arrange for preparation of the Occupational
Workers Compensation Package which is critical for payment of employee medical
costs. This should be done with-in 48 hours.
d) Will not use information contained in safety reports or reviews as the basis for employee
discipline.
4)
Employee Responsibilities:
a) Within 24 hours, report all accidents and near-miss events to their supervisor or other
management official.
b) Contact the ASC Workers Comp Group to arrange for preparation of the Occupational
Workers Compensation Package which is critical for payment of employee medical
costs.
c) Enter accident information into eSafety within 72 hours following an accident.
5) Forest/Unit Safety Managers:
a) Notify the Regional Safety and Health Office and Line Officer of all serious and
significant mishaps/accidents.
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b) Work with Line Officers and employees to report all mishaps, accidents and near-miss
events.
c) Assist Line Officers and supervisors conduct analysis and reviews of all mishaps and
near miss events, upon notification of such events.
d) Assist with attachment of reports into eSafety, and promptly do all reviews in the eSafety
reporting system.
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