ACCIDENT CHECKLIST

Position Relief:  All controller personnel who were involved with or witnessed the accident should be relieved from position immediately.  Get them away from the operational area as soon as possible.

Representation:  Offer NATCA representation to all involved Bargaining-Unit personnel.  If possible, get them to a quiet, private area where they can remain calm and talk.

Notification:  As soon as possible, page the NATCA ASI for your region.  Leave the phone number where you can be reached.  When they return your call, be prepared to provide the following details:

·         Your name, facility and NATCA position (FacRep, Local Officer, Member).

·         A list of phone numbers where you can be contacted (pager, work, home, mobile).

·         A description of what happened, and an initial assessment of any potential ATC problems.

·         Whether CISD counseling may be necessary for involved controllers.

The NATCA ASI will normally handle initial coordination with NATCA’s Regional and National Offices.

If you do not receive a call back from the NATCA ASI within 30 minutes, call the NATCA National Accident Notification Mailbox at (800) 266-0895 ext 14911.  Be prepared to provide as much information as possible.

Listen to tapes:  Prior to writing ATCS Personnel Statements, listen to voice tapes of each pertinent control position with each controller.  If you take written notes, be aware that they may be subpoenaed later as evidence.

Personnel Statements:  Ask management to allow controllers to provide statements on the following day.  If appropriate, consult with your RVP or the National Office prior to submission.  If management orders controllers to provide statements, they should provide only a brief outline of pertinent facts (i.e. name, position of operation, basic events; NO speculation or analysis.)  Do not allow management to dictate wording, make additional comments or corrections.  Advise controllers to conclude their statement with the following phrase:

“The above statement is true and factual to the best of my knowledge, based upon the information available to me at this time.”

OWCP CA-1 Forms & Admin. Leave:  Ensure that CA-1’s are completed and signed by each controller in case post-accident OWCP leave is required.  Make copies for the controller and Rep., and give originals to the Supervisor-in-Charge.  Approval for “continuation–of-pay (on the job injury) leave may require prompt examination by a specially qualified physician.  Contact the RVP immediately if this becomes a concern. 

  NASA ASRS Forms:  If an Op. Error may have occurred, consult with the RVP about satisfying the immunity requirements of Contract Article 62 before filling out & sending NASA ASRS forms.  In accident situations, NASA may be required to send accident information to the NTSB, non-confidentially.

  Controller Release:  Ask management to release involved controllers from the facility on Administrative Leave ASAP.  If denied, have controllers request Sick Leave on the basis that they are “incapacitated for duty”, and advise the RVP ASAP.  Negotiate and document agreeable dates & times when each controller is expected to return for duty,