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FOREST SERVICE MANUAL
ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION (REGION 2)
DENVER, CO
FSM 6700 –SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAM
CHAPTER 6730 – ACCIDENT REPORTING AND INVESTIGATION
Supplement No.: 6700-2007- 2
Effective Date: 06/08/2007
Duration: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
Approved: GREG GRIFFITH
Regional Forester
Date Approved: 06/01/2007
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 6700-20061 to FSM 6700 Zero Code.
New Document(s):
6730
4 Pages
Superseded Document(s) by
Issuance Number and
Effective Date
6730 (Supplement 6700-2006-1, 5/5/2006)
4 Pages
Digest:
6731.3 – Minor update for accuracy and consistency.
6732.1 – Minor update for accuracy and consistency.
6732.1 – Exhibit 01 – Updates contact names and phone numbers in the notification flow chart.
R2 SUPPLEMENT 6700-2007-2
EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/08/2007
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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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 serious
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.
For most investigations, investigation team membership should not exceed five members,
including the Team Leader.
1. Team Leader; who may be a Regional Office Staff Director, Forest Supervisor or
Deputy, or a Deputy Regional Forester.
2. Investigator/Forest Safety Manager trained in serious accident investigation.
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. Non-team members may include, Regional Safety Manager, Public Information
Officers, Law Enforcement Officers, and other government public agency liaison person(s), such
as U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration representatives.
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 serious 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 6700-2007-2
EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/08/2007
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSM 6700 – SAFETY AND HEALTH
CHAPTER 6730 – ACCIDENT REPORTING AND INVESTIGATION
1. Except to the extent necessary to assist and remove injured or deceased persons, the
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. Place a
guard to secure and protect the site as necessary. Begin the investigation as follows:
a. Photograph and/or document evidence which must be moved.
b. Preserve and protect any ephemeral evidence, such as tire and foot impressions,
fluids, and so forth.
c. Identify witnesses and begin 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 Sheriff 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 6700-2007-2
EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/08/2007
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSM 6700 – SAFETY AND HEALTH
CHAPTER 6730 – ACCIDENT REPORTING AND INVESTIGATION
6732.1 – Exhibit 01
Region 2 Serious 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.
Report all serious
accidents/injuries/fatalities to the line
officer and the Forest Safety Manager.
If unsure whether a
serious accident or
injury should be
reported, contact
your Forest or
Regional Safety &
Occupational Health
Manager.
District Rangers, Forest Supervisors,
R.O. Directors or designated person will
start serious accident notification
process
If the incident is Fire Operations related…
If the incident is aircraft related…
Non-Fire or Non-Aircraft
Fire Operations
Ted Moore
R2 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
Ivan Pupulidy
R2 Aviation Sfty Mgr
(O) 303-275-5711
(C) 720-480-0495
Roger Pigeon
BHNF Safety Mngr
(O) 605-673-9346
(C) 605-441-0011
(H) 605-673-3922
Ted Moore
R2 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
Larry Sutton
WO Fire Ops Safety
(O) 208-387-5970
(C) 208-559-5130
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
Allison Good
Acting WO Occ Safety
(O) 202-205-2934
(C) 202-360-9768
Revised 5/18/07
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