6730
Page 1 of 4
FOREST SERVICE MANUAL
ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION (REGION 2)
DENVER, CO
FSM 6700 –SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAM
CHAPTER 6730 – ACCIDENT REPORTING AND INVESTIGATION
Supplement No.: 6700-2006-1
Effective Date: May 5, 2006
Duration: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
Approved: RICK D. CABLES
Regional Forester
Date Approved: 04/21/2006
Posting Instructions: Supplements are numbered consecutively by Title and calendar year.
Post by document; remove entire document and replace it with this supplement. Retain this
transmittal as the first page(s) of this document. The last supplement to this title was 6700-20051 to FSM 6700 Zero Code.
New Document(s):
6730
4 Pages
Superseded Document(s) by
Issuance Number and
Effective Date
6730 (Supplement 6700-2004-3, 7/12/2004)
4 Page
Digest:
6731.3 – Revises the first paragraph to be consistent with notification process.
6732.1 – Exhibit 01 – Updates names and contact numbers in the notification flow chart.
R2 SUPPLEMENT 6700-2006-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 05/05/2004
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
6730
Page 2 of 4
FSM 6700 – SAFETY AND HEALTH
CHAPTER 6730 – ACCIDENT REPORTING AND INVESTIGATION
6731.3 – Region, Station, and Area Investigations
The Deputy Regional Forester for Operations is delegated authority to investigate all serious
accidents involving employees, enrollees, or contractors which result in death or hospitalization
for other than observation, of three or more persons or if the Forest Service causes the accident.
The Regional Office shall initiate the investigation, regardless of organizational level responsible
for the final investigation report.
Deputy Regional Forester for Operations shall appoint a Team Leader for regional investigations
and together with the Team Leader and the Regional Safety Manager select the remaining
members of a Regional Accident Investigation Team. If the Washington Office or the Regional
Office elects not to investigate, the Deputy shall delegate responsibility for the investigation to
the Forest. The Forest Supervisor shall conduct the investigation in accordance with provisions
in this FSM, FSH 6709.12 chapter 30, the 2005 Accident Investigation Guide, and FSM 5720 if
aircraft is involved. Except to the extent necessary to protect life, ensure evidence at the accident
scene is undisturbed and protected until an accident investigator or team has examined the site.
For most investigations, investigation team membership should not exceed five members,
including the Team Leader.
1. Team Leader; who may be a Staff Director, Forest Supervisor, or Deputy Regional
Forester.
2. Regional Safety and Health Manager.
3. Technical specialists, advisors, program managers from the functional area or if
appropriate, other subject matter experts.
4. Representative from the unit where the accident occurred.
5. Other non-team members may include, Public Information Officers, other government
or public agency liaison person(s), such as U.S. Department of Labor, or Occupational Safety
and Health Administration (OSHA) representative.
Team Leader is authorized to release limited accident information through Communication and
Legislative Affairs Office. On completion of the investigation, Team Leader will submit an
original and three copies of the accident investigation report to the line officer requesting the
investigation.
6732.1 – Notification
Report accidents immediately and begin the investigation promptly. Unit line officers should
provide as much information about the accident as possible (FSH 6709.12, sec. 32.2):
R2 SUPPLEMENT 6700-2006-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 05/05/2004
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
6730
Page 3 of 4
FSM 6700 – SAFETY AND HEALTH
CHAPTER 6730 – ACCIDENT REPORTING AND INVESTIGATION
1. Unit line officer shall preserve the accident site and ensure evidence at the accident
scene is undisturbed and protected until an accident investigator or team has examined the site.
Begin the investigation as follows:
a. First priority at the scene is to rescue survivors. Then take appropriate measures
(place guard if necessary) to protect the accident site. Disturb only as necessary to
remove injured or deceased person(s).
b. Photograph and/or document evidence which must be moved.
c. Preserve and protect any ephemeral evidence, such as tire and foot impressions,
fluids, and so forth.
d. Identify witnesses and start securing witness statements.
2. In the event of a hazardous material or chemical spill take the following actions:
a. If possible, secure the spill area by signing, roping off, and so forth. Do not place
employees in danger.
b. Call the local Law Enforcement, Public Safety, or Sheriffs Office, and if possible,
describe any labels or signs that may indicate type of material or chemical spilled.
3. In addition to the accident reporting and notification requirements outlined in FSM
6732.11 and FSH 6709.12, chapter 30, report the following to the Regional Safety and Health
Manager:
a. Accidental property damage of $100,000 or more, excluding forest fire damage to
resources.
b. Release of reportable quantity of hazardous substances into the environment.
4. Fatality/Injury/Illness Notification. District Rangers, Forest Supervisors and Regional
Office Directors, or designated person, shall immediately notify the Regional Safety & Health
Manager or the first person available on the following flow chart to report; a fatality of an
employee, enrollee or contractor; or if one or more private citizens die or death is likely, as a
result of a Forest Service activity; or if three or more employees, enrollees, contractor employees
are hospitalized.
First person contacted on the flow chart shall inform the Office of Safety and Occupational
Health in the Washington Office at 202-401-4470 of the accident and provide as much
information as possible (See FSM 6732.11).
R2 SUPPLEMENT 6700-2006-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 05/05/2004
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
6730
Page 4 of 4
FSM 6700 – SAFETY AND HEALTH
CHAPTER 6730 – ACCIDENT REPORTING AND INVESTIGATION
6732.1 – Exhibit 01
Region 2 Accident/Injury/Fatality Notification Flow Chart
Report deaths
immediately to RF; for
employee, enrollee, or
contractor (Citizen if
result of a FS activity),
or if three or more
people are hospitalized
Contact the first person on
the list. If the first person
is not available, go to the
next.
All accidents/injuries/fatalities are reported
to the immediate line officer and the Forest
Safety Manager.
If unsure whether an
accident or injury
should be reported,
contact your
Regional Safety &
Occupational Health
Manager.
District Rangers, Forest Supervisors,
R.O. Directors or designated person will
start notification process
If the incident is Fire Operations related…
If the incident is aircraft related…
Non-Fire or Non-Aircraft
Fire Operations
Ted Moore
Fire Safety Mngr
(O) 303-275-5336
(C) 720-560-9705
(H) 720-963-4040
Carlos Pinto
Regional Safety Manager
(O) 303-275-5312
(C) 303-619-5617
Carlos Pinto
Regional Safety Manager
(O) 303-275-5312
(C) 303-619-5617
Aircraft Operations
Kent Hamilton
Acting Aviation Sfty Mgr
(O) 303-275-5711
(C) 720-635-2994
Roger Pigeon
BHNF Safety Mngr
(O) 605-673-9346
(C) 605-441-0011
(H) 605-673-3922
Ted Moore
Fire Safety Mngr
(O) 303-275-5336
(C) 720-560-9705
(H) 720-963-4040
Greg Griffith
Greg Griffith
Deputy Regional Forester,
Operations, DASHO
(O) 303-275-5449
(C) 720-272-8857
Deputy Regional Forester,
Operations, DASHO
(O) 303-275-5449
(C) 720-272-8857
Rick Cables
Jeff Scussel
WO Fire Ops Safety
(O) 208-387-5102
(C) 406-370-0296
Regional Forester
(O) 303-275-5450
(C) 303-884-8133
Greg Griffith
Deputy Regional Forester,
Operations, DASHO
(O) 303-275-5449
(C) 720-272-8857
Dick King
WO Occupational Safety
(O) 202-401-4470
(C) 202-253-2782
Revised 4/14/06
Carlos Pinto
Regional Safety Manager
(O) 303-275-5312
(C) 303-619-5617
Ron Hanks
WO Aviation Safety
(O) 208-387-5607
(C) 208-850-5357