6709.12_30
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FOREST SERVICE HANDBOOK
NORTHERN REGION (REGION 1)
MISSOULA, MT
FSH 6709.12 – SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAM HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 30 – ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION AND REPORTING
Supplement No.: 6709.12-2011-1
Effective Date: February 15, 2011
Duration: Effective until superseded or removed
Approved: PAUL BRADFORD FOR:
LESLIE A.C. WELDON
Regional Forester
Date Approved: 02/15/2011
Posting Instructions: 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. The last supplement to
this Handbook was 6709.12-2010-1, to chapter 30.
New Document(s):
6709.12_30
17 Pages
Superseded Document(s) by
Issuance Number and
Effective Date
6709.12-2010-1 (03/21/2010)
15 Pages
Digest:
32.1 – Updates contacts, names, phone numbers, and events for emergency notification.
32.1 – Exhibits 1 through 8 – Updates direction.
34.2 – Updates Regional Authority.
35.2 – Adds Initial Procedures for Forests, Grasslands, and Districts.
NORTHERN REGION SUPPLEMENT 6709.12-2011-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 02/15/2011
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
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FSH 6709.12 - SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAM HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 30 – ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION AND REPORTING
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 because of 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. The unit charged with the vehicle accident normally receives credit for the
mileage logged by the driver as well.
32 – ACCIDENT NOTIFICATION
32.1 – Notification Criteria and Process
Report all vehicle accidents occurring in a municipality IMMEDIATELY to the local police
department. This includes accidents involving only Forest Service vehicles. Vehicle accidents
involving injury, death, or property damage in excess of the following amounts require that a
written accident report be filled out and submitted to the county sheriff’s office or the nearest
State police office:
Idaho
When a vehicle is towed, injury requiring medical attention away from the
scene, a ticket was issued or a police report made, and there is no dollar amount.
Montana
$400 or more (verbal notification required when $250 or more).
North Dakota
$1,000 or more.
South Dakota
$500 or more vehicle damage/$1,000 or more total property damage.
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.
1. Fatality/Injury/Illness Notification. In the event of a fatality, injury, or illness (as
outlined in 32.1 – exhibit 01 in parent text) of an employee or enrollee; or one or more private
citizens die or death is likely as a result of a Forest Service activity; or three or more employees,
enrollees, and/or private citizens are hospitalized, Fire Shelter Deployment, Fire Entrapment, in
notification will be given “IMMEDIATELY” to the Regional Safety and Health Manager,
Deputy Regional Forester and local LEI Patrol Captain. In the event Regional staff cannot be
reached, contact the Regional Incident Dispatcher.
NORTHERN REGION SUPPLEMENT 6709.12-2011-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 02/15/2011
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
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FSH 6709.12 - SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAM HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 30 – ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION AND REPORTING
Fatality/Injury/Illness Notification
Name/Title
David Goodin,
Regional Safety &
Health Manager
Jane Cottrell,
Deputy Regional
Forester
Leslie Weldon,
Regional Forester
Office Phone
Cell Phone
406-329-3237
406-544-3597
Regional
Incident
Dispatcher
406-329-4880
406-329-3311
406-214-2458
406-329-4880
406-329-3312
406-241-8748
406-329-4880
2. Aircraft Accidents. Report all aircraft accidents to the Regional Aviation Safety
Officer, Regional Safety and Health Manager and local LEI Patrol Captain.
If the Regional Aviation Officer cannot be reached, contact the Regional Incident Dispatcher:
Title
Gary Boyd
Regional Aviation
Safety Manager
Office Phone
406-329-3235
Cell Phone
406-370-9707
For every Forest Service accident in which the potential for claims against the federal
government exists, two independent yet coordinated investigations will be performed in most
incidents. LEI will investigate for legal and claims purposes; and the Office of Safety and
Occupational Health (OSOH) will investigate for accident prevention purposes.
3. Notification Criteria and Process. Required notifications and investigation levels,
based on event severity, are set forth in the following exhibits 01 through 08.
NORTHERN REGION SUPPLEMENT 6709.12-2011-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 02/15/2011
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
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FSH 6709.12 - SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAM HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 30 – ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION AND REPORTING
32.1 – Exhibit 01
NON FIRE-RELATED
OCCUPATIONAL INJURY/ILLNESS
EVENT
Minor injury or illness.
NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS AND
INVESTIGATION
Subunit head, through the work supervisor
Forest Safety and Health Manager
Severe injury or illness – including
broken bones, eye injuries, poisoning,
burns, chemical contamination or DART
cases (Days away from work and
temporary assignment) or hospitalization
of less than 3 individuals
Serious injury or illness – requiring
hospitalization of 3 individuals or
Occupational Fatality (or likely death) to
Forest Service employee or enrollee
Chainsaw/Crosscut incidents
LOCAL UNIT INVESTIGATES
 Subunit head (District Ranger)
 Forest Supervisor
 Forest Safety and Health Manager
 LOCAL UNIT INVESTIGATES
 Cases of more than15 days away from work
or reassignment greater than 20 days and any
employee life-flighted for injuries contact the
Regional Deputy Forester and Regional
Safety & Health Manager
 Forest Supervisor
 Forest Safety and Health Manager
 IMMEDIATE notification of the Regional
Safety & Health Manager and Deputy
Regional Forester
 LEI Patrol Captain
 NSAI INVESTIGATES
 Subunit head, through the work supervisor
 Forest Safety and Health Manager
 Forest Chainsaw/Crosscut Coordinator
 Cases of more than one day away from work
or reassignment and OSHA Recordable,
more than First Aid injuries contact the
Regional Chainsaw/Crosscut Coordinator
 INVESTIGATE AS APPROPRIATE
NORTHERN REGION SUPPLEMENT 6709.12-2011-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 02/15/2011
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
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FSH 6709.12 - SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAM HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 30 – ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION AND REPORTING
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 AND
INVESTIGATION
 LEI Patrol Captain
 Forest Safety and Health Manager
 LEI HAS THE LEAD ON
INVESTIGATION, WORKING WITH
FOREST/GRASSLANDS
 LEI Patrol Captain
 Forest Supervisor
 Forest Safety and Health Manager
 IMMEDIATE notification of the Regional
Safety & Health Manager and Deputy
Regional Forester
 LEI HAS THE LEAD ON
INVESTIGATION, WORKING WITH
DAHSO AND RSH ON
FOREST/GRASSLANDS
 LEI Patrol Captain
 Subunit head (District Ranger)
 Forest Supervisor
 Forest Safety and Health Manager
 IMMEDIATE notification of the Regional
Safety & Health Manager and Deputy
Regional Forester if over $250,000 dollars
 LEI HAS THE LEAD ON
INVESTIGATION, WORKING WITH
FOREST/GRASSLANDS
NORTHERN REGION SUPPLEMENT 6709.12-2011-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 02/15/2011
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
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FSH 6709.12 - SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAM HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 30 – ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION AND REPORTING
32.1 – Exhibit 03
FIRE/ALL RISK INCIDENTS/ACCIDENTS
EVENT
NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS AND
INVESTIGATION
Entrapment – a situation where personnel
 Forest Supervisor
are unexpectedly caught in a fire
 Forest Safety and Health Manager
behavior-related, life-threatening position
 IMMEDIATE notification of the Regional
where planned escape routes or safety
Safety & Health Manager and Deputy
zones are absent, inadequate, or
Regional Forester, and Regional Director of
compromised. Entrapment may or may
FAA through Regional Incident Dispatch
not include deployment of a fire shelter
 LEI Patrol Captain
for its intended purpose.
 NATIONAL SAI, NSAI, and LLR
INVESTIGATES (depending on severity)
Fire Shelter Deployment – the removing
 Forest Supervisor
of a fire shelter from its case and using it
 Forest Safety and Health Manager
as protection against fire. The fire shelter
 IMMEDIATE notification of the Regional
deployment may or may not be
Safety & Health Manager and Deputy
associated with entrapment. Any time a
Regional Forester, and Regional Director of
fire shelter is deployed (other than for
FAA through Regional Incident Dispatch
training purposes); regardless of
 LEI Patrol Captain
circumstances
 NATIONAL SAI, NSAI, and LLR
INVESTIGATES (depending on severity)
Serious Wildland Fire Accident – an
 Subunit head (District Ranger)
unplanned event or series of events that
 Forest Supervisor
results in death, injury, occupational
 Forest Safety and Health Manager
illness, or damage to, or loss of,
 IMMEDIATE notification of the Regional
equipment or property wildland fire
Safety & Health Manager and Deputy
operations, or a serious accident involves
Regional Forester, and Regional Director of
any of the following:
FAA through Regional Incident Dispatch
 One or more fatalities
 LEI Patrol Captain
 Three or more personnel who are
 NATIONAL SAI INVESTIGATES
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 Serious Accident
Investigation
NORTHERN REGION SUPPLEMENT 6709.12-2011-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 02/15/2011
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
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FSH 6709.12 - SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAM HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 30 – ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION AND REPORTING
32.1 – Exhibit 03 (continued)
FIRE/ALL RISK INCIDENTS/ACCIDENTS
EVENT
NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS AND
INVESTIGATION
Non-Serious Wildland Fire Accident – an
 Subunit head (District Ranger)
unplanned event or series of events that
 Forest Supervisor
resulted in injury, occupational illness, or
 Forest Safety and Health Manager
damage to or loss of equipment or
 IMMEDIATE notification of the Regional
property to a lesser degree than defined in
Safety & Health Manager and Deputy
“serious wildland fire accident”
Regional Forester, and Regional Director of
FAA through Regional Incident Dispatch
 LEI Patrol Captain
 LOCAL UNIT INVESTIGATES UNLESS
REGIONAL OR NATIONAL LEVEL
ASSUMES THE INVESTIGATION
Fire Incident with Accident – (such as
MVA and so forth) – no entrapment – no
serious injury





Fire Incident – no entrapment, no injury,
but with claims potential (property loss,
and so forth)





Subunit head (District Ranger)
Forest Supervisor
Forest Safety and Health Manager
LEI Patrol Captain
LOCAL UNIT INVESTIGATES UNLESS
REGIONAL OR NATIONAL LEVEL
ASSUMES THE INVESTIGATION
Subunit head (District Ranger)
Forest Supervisor
LEI Patrol Captain
Regional Director of FAA
LEI INVESTIGATES
NORTHERN REGION SUPPLEMENT 6709.12-2011-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 02/15/2011
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
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FSH 6709.12 - SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAM HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 30 – ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION AND REPORTING
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
Forest/Grasslands
Private aircraft accidents on National
Forest/Grasslands
NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS AND
INVESTIGATION
 Forest Supervisor
 Forest Safety and Health Manager
 IMMEDIATE notification of the Regional
Aviation Safety Officer, Regional Safety &
Health Manager and Deputy Regional Forester
 LEI Patrol Captain, LEI for claims
investigation
 ALL AVIATION ACCIDENTS WILL BE
INVESTIGATED BY NTSB AND FS WILL
BE A PARTY TO THESE
INVESTIGATIONS
 Forest Supervisor
 Forest Safety and Health Manager
 IMMEDIATE notification of the Regional
Aviation Safety Officer, Regional Safety &
Health Manager and Deputy Regional Forester
 LEI Patrol Captain
 AVIATION ACCIDENTS WILL BE
INVESTIGATED BY NTSB or FAA
 Forest Supervisor
 Forest Safety and Health Manager
 IMMEDIATE notification of the Regional
Aviation Safety Officer, Regional Safety &
Health Manager and Deputy Regional Forester
 LEI Patrol Captain
 AVIATION ACCIDENTS WILL BE
INVESTIGATED BY NTSB or FAA
 Forest Supervisor
 Forest Safety and Health Manager
 IMMEDIATE notification of the Regional
Aviation Safety Officer, Regional Safety &
Health Manager and Deputy Regional Forester
 LEI Patrol Captain
 AVIATION ACCIDENTS WILL BE
INVESTIGATED BY NTSB or FAA
NORTHERN REGION SUPPLEMENT 6709.12-2011-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 02/15/2011
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
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CHAPTER 30 – ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION AND REPORTING
32.1 – Exhibit 05
MOTOR VEHICLE – PACK & RIDING STOCK ACCIDENTS/INCIDENTS
EVENT
NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS AND
INVESTIGATION
Total damage up to $1,000 – as a result
 Subunit head (District Ranger)
of a motor vehicle accident involving a
 Forest Supervisor
Government owned, leased, or rented
 Forest Safety and Health Manager
motor vehicle (includes private vehicle
 Forest Fleet
on official use)
 LEI Patrol Captain
 LEI and LOCAL UNIT INVESTIGATES
Total damage in excess of $1,000 – as a
 Subunit head (District Ranger)
result of a motor vehicle accident
 Forest Supervisor
involving a Government owned, leased,
 Forest Safety and Health Manager
or rented motor vehicle (includes
 Forest Fleet
private vehicle on official use)
 LEI Patrol Captain
 Regional Fleet Manager
 LEI and LOCAL UNIT INVESTIGATES
Injury of pack and/or riding stock –
 Subunit head (District Ranger)
involving a Government owned, leased,
 Forest Supervisor
or rented vehicle in a work related
 Forest Safety and Health Manager
incident
 LEI Patrol Captain
 LOCAL UNIT INVESTIGATES
Death of pack and/or riding stock –
 Subunit head (District Ranger)
involving a Government owned leased,
 Forest Supervisor
or rented vehicle in a work related
 Forest Safety and Health Manager
incident
 LEI Patrol Captain
 Regional Safety & Health Manager
 Deputy Regional Forester
 LEI and LOCAL UNIT INVESTIGATES
NORTHERN REGION SUPPLEMENT 6709.12-2011-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 02/15/2011
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
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CHAPTER 30 – ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION AND REPORTING
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 to less than
$250,000 dollars
Property damage, excluding forest
fires, $100,000 dollars or more
NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS AND
INVESTIGATION
 Subunit Manager (District Ranger)
 LEI Patrol Captain
 LOCAL UNIT INVESTIGATES
 Subunit Manager (District Ranger)
 Forest Safety and Health Manager
 Forest Supervisor
 LEI Patrol Captain
 LOCAL UNIT INVESTIGATES
 Subunit Manager (District Ranger)
 Forest Safety and Health Manager
 Regional Safety & Health Manager
 Deputy Regional Forester
 LEI Patrol Captain
 Regional or Chiefs Investigations, LEI HAS
THE LEAD ON CLAIMS
 Subunit Manager (District Ranger)
 Forest Supervisor
 Forest Safety and Health Manager
 LEI Patrol Captain
 IMMEDIATE notification of the Regional
Safety & Health Manager and Deputy Regional
Forester
 Regional or Chiefs SAI Investigates
NORTHERN REGION SUPPLEMENT 6709.12-2011-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 02/15/2011
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
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CHAPTER 30 – ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION AND REPORTING
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 of less then 3
individuals
Serious injury or illness – requiring
hospitalization of 3 individuals or
Occupational Fatality (or likely death)
to Contractor on Forest Service project
NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS AND
INVESTIGATION
 Subunit Manager (District Ranger)
 Subunit Contracting Officer
 Forest Supervisor
 Forest Safety and Health Manager
 LEI Patrol Captain
 LOCAL UNIT INVESTIGATES, LEI HAS
THE LEAD ON CLAIMS
 Subunit Manager (District Ranger)
 Subunit Contracting Officer
 Forest Supervisor
 Forest Safety and Health Manager
 LEI Patrol Captain
 LOCAL UNIT INVESTIGATES
 Subunit Manager (District Ranger)
 Subunit Contracting Officer
 Forest Supervisor
 Forest Safety and Health Manager
 LEI Patrol Captain
 IMMEDIATE notification of the Regional
Safety & Health Manager and Deputy Regional
Forester
 NATIONAL/REGIONAL SAI
INVESTIGATES
NORTHERN REGION SUPPLEMENT 6709.12-2011-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 02/15/2011
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
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FSH 6709.12 - SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAM HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 30 – ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION AND REPORTING
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 of radioactive 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 AND
INVESTIGATION
 Subunit Manager (District Ranger)
 Forest Supervisor
 Forest Safety and Health Manager
 LEI Patrol Captain
 IMMEDIATELY notify RO Engineering,
Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Coordinator
and Regional Health & Safety Manager and
SAC
 LOCAL UNIT INVESTIGATES, LEI HAS
THE LEAD ON CLAIMS
 Subunit Manager (District Ranger)
 Forest Safety and Health Manager
 Forest Supervisor
 Regional Health & Safety Manager
 Regional S&PF Pesticide Coordinator
 Regional Hazardous Materials Coordinator
 LEI Patrol Captain/SAC
 LOCAL UNIT INVESTIGATES
NORTHERN REGION SUPPLEMENT 6709.12-2011-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 02/15/2011
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
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CHAPTER 30 – ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION AND REPORTING
32.2 – Content of Notification
When Regional or Chief’s Office notification is required, include the following information:
1. Date and time of accident
2. Name and age of deceased or seriously injured person
3. Working title
4. Home address for Forest Service employee(s) only
5. Name and address of Forest and District involved.
6. Location of the injured person
7. Location of accident
8. Brief description of injuries or property damage
9. Brief description of how accident occurred
10. Name of next of kin notified for Forest Service employee(s) only
11. Name and address of next of kin for Forest Service employee(s) only
12. Marital status of Forest Service employee(s) only
13. Spouse’s name for Forest Service employee(s) only
14. Number and age of children of Forest Service employee(s) only
15. Names and titles of Unit’s investigating team members
16. If hazardous materials or pesticides are involved, include nature of involvement,
classification, name, and quantity of materials involved, medium into which substance
was released, precautions taken, person(s) to contact for further information, and name
and telephone number of local or State emergency coordinator.
NORTHERN REGION SUPPLEMENT 6709.12-2011-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 02/15/2011
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
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CHAPTER 30 – ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION AND REPORTING
34 – ACCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS
34.1 – Chief’s Office Investigations
A Chief’s Office team may investigate any incident or accident. Accidents involving single and
multiple employee fatalities shall be investigated by the Chief’s Office. Injury requiring
hospitalization of three or more employees or enrollees, aircraft accidents, aircraft incidents with
serious potential and accidents in which there may be unusual public concern may be appropriate
for a Chief’s Office investigation.
34.2 – Region, Station, and Area Investigations
The Regional Forester shall appoint an investigation team for any serious incident or accident
that is not investigated by the Chief’s Office. This includes single fatalities, serious injuries or
illnesses, major property damage, aircraft accidents, and incidents with serious potential not
investigated by the Chief’s Office or a Washington Office-appointed team (FSM 6704), or is
delegated back to the Region by the Washington Office.
1.
Preservation/Protection of Evidence. Forest Service personnel who are the first
persons on an accident scene have primary responsibility for preservation of evidence. No
vehicle, machinery, or equipment involved in an accident will be moved until authorization is
received from the Team Leader/Chief Investigator assigned to the accident. The only exception
to this policy will occur when the vehicle must be moved to remove injured victim(s) from the
wreckage, when the vehicle, machinery or equipment prevents passage of traffic on a major
highway thoroughfare, or when the accident is causing significant pollution problems. In such
cases, move the vehicle and so forth, no more than absolutely necessary. It is imperative that
every effort be made to photograph the accident scene prior to moving the vehicle or equipment.
Initial personnel on the scene are also responsible for preserving/protecting all other evidence,
such as tire tracks and the location of objects associated with the accident.
2.
Initial Investigators. Personnel initially assigned to begin investigation activities
will, at the discretion of the Team Leader/Chief Investigator, normally be replaced by a
Regional or National Investigation Team when it arrives at the scene.
3.
Role of the Regional Investigation Team. The Regional Forester or DASHO shall
assign a Regional Investigation Team to investigate serious accidents within the Region,
including employee/enrollee single fatalities, serious injuries and illnesses (including
hospitalization of up to two or more employees or enrollees), major property damage, aircraft
accidents, and aircraft incidents with serious potential not investigated by the Washington
Office appointed team.
NORTHERN REGION SUPPLEMENT 6709.12-2011-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 02/15/2011
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
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CHAPTER 30 – ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION AND REPORTING
34.4 – Multiagency Investigations
Conduct joint investigations of accidents involving the Forest Service and other Federal or State
agencies. The degree of Forest Service participation shall depend on the circumstances of the
accident. Regional Office personnel 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/USDA Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) 10/26/95)
35– INVESTIGATION PROCEDURES
35.2– Initial Procedures
6.
Incident or Accident Investigation Procedures on Forest/Grasslands/Districts The
main goal of an incident or accident investigation and review is to learn from the findings in
order to improve the safety and health of employees. This type of investigation is not a Law
Enforcement or Administrative Review. If it is found that criminal activity has taken place, the
safety investigation will stop and the Investigation Leader will meet with the Line Officer for
the next step of the review. Two separate investigations will be performed for certain incidents
or accidents where criminal activity has taken place. One investigation is for the criminal
elements of the incident or accident and the other investigation involves the safety concerns.
Any incident or accident cases with potential for claims either by or against the Government
shall be reported to the local LEI officer.
An employee could unknowingly trigger latent conditions that exist at a work site thus
creating an incident or accident. All incidents or accidents, regardless of severity, require some
degree of investigation. The depth of the investigation may vary depending on the nature of the
incident. Every accident shall be investigated to the extent necessary to determine the facts,
conditions, and background factors. The purpose of the investigation is to provide necessary
documentation and reveal factual information to be applied as appropriate preventative
measures. Each Forest/Grasslands/District within the Northern Region will conduct accident
investigations, unless the incident or accident meets specific criteria requiring a Chief’s or
Regional investigation. The Unit may contact their Forest/Grasslands Safety Manager or
Regional Safety and Occupational Health Director for assistance.
NORTHERN REGION SUPPLEMENT 6709.12-2011-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 02/15/2011
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
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CHAPTER 30 – ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION AND REPORTING
a. Accident or Incident Review Requirements
The incident or accident investigation should be completed within five days
unless the Line Officer feels more time is needed by the accident investigator.
The Line Officer is to convene an Accident Review Committee (ARC) within 15
days of the accident investigation completion. Members of the committee should
consist of a line officer, a manager of the program where the incident occurred, a
union representative if from a bargaining unit forest, and Collateral Duty Safety
Officer, Safety Manager or Safety representative at a minimum. The committee
must ensure the accident investigation is conducted properly. The investigation is
twofold: First the investigation should identify facts regarding the nature of the
injury, the incident or accident that caused the injury, and provide documentation
of those facts. Secondly, a course of action should be determined in order to
eliminate recurrence. Prevention efforts may be applied at the district, forest or
grassland level. Incident or accident investigations must be fact-finding, not
fault-finding, in order to promote learning and provide preventative measures to
eliminate recurrence or reduce future accidents.
All incidents or accidents that have resulted in an employee having an OSHA
Recordable (any injury requiring more than first aid, days off, or light duty) will
be reviewed by the ARC. Minor incidents or accidents requiring first aid, shall
have an investigation but do not require an ARC. A course of action to eliminate
a recurrence is important and necessary for these cases and near miss cases.
A copy of the investigative report and ARC review, containing accurate
documentation, 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 should review the case for final signature.
b.
Safety and Health Integrated Portal System (SHIPS)
All incident or accident forms, CA-1 for personal injuires and CA-2 for illnesses,
will be entered into SHIPS by the employee and then reviewed by their
supervisor. If the employee is unable to complete the CA-1 or CA-2 in SHIPS,
their supervisor or another employee can enter the information for them. The
Forest/Grasslands Safety Manager must complete the final review. The
documents must 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.
It is the supervisor’s responsibility to forward all Office of Worker’s
Compensation Program (OWCP) claims and other cases involving costs
immediately to the Albuquerque Service Center (ASC).
NORTHERN REGION SUPPLEMENT 6709.12-2011-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 02/15/2011
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
6709.12_30
Page 17 of 17
FSH 6709.12 - SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAM HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 30 – ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION AND REPORTING
35.6 – Notification of Next of Kin
The local line officer is responsible for making arrangements with local law enforcement
officials for notification of next of kin as soon as the victim is positively identified. A
Forest/Grassland Officer who has been briefed on the facts of the accident should make the
notification. If possible, the person making the notification should know the victim’s family.