Grayback Safety Alert 1

These are the two safety alerts that were released in response to the Grayback Forestry Van Rollover in June, 2002. Ab.

SAFETY ALERT
United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service National Headquarters
FILE CODE:	5100/6710/7130
SUBJECT:	Ground Transportation of Contract Fire Crews
RE:	Work/Rest Guidelines
TO:	Incident Commanders, Dispatch Centers, and Affected Employees
DATE:	June 27, 2002
Alert Information:
In some cases, estimated times of departure (ETD) and estimated times of arrival (ETA) that contract fire crews are given do not allow sufficient time for mandatory rest periods. Contract crews use ETD/ETA timeframes to report to incidents by the requested hour. As a result, some contract fire crews may be unknowingly violating Federal work/rest guidelines. This can lead to driver/crew fatigue, stress, and a loss of concentration that could result in a vehicle accident. Federal work/rest guidelines apply to contract fire crews ordered to report to an incident under Federal jurisdiction. Incident commanders and dispatch centers ordering crews must ensure that the work/rest guidelines found in the Interagency Incident Business Management Handbook, NWCG Handbook 2, PMS 902, NFES 2160, Section 12.7, are communicated to all crews before driving to incidents. Current work/rest ratios require a minimum of 1 hour of rest for every 2 hours of work or travel. Contract crews must be given both the opportunity and encouragement to take appropriate rest breaks during travel.
Released by:
/s/Thomas J. Mills THOMAS J. MILLS Deputy Chief for Business Operations	/s/Joel D. Holtrop JOEL D. HOLTROP Deputy Chief for State and Private Forestry

SAFETY ALERT
United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service National Headquarters
FILE CODE:	5100/6710/7130
SUBJECT:	Ground Transportation of Fire Personnel
RE:	Work/Rest Guidelines and Safety Belt Usage
TO:	All Fire Personnel
DATE:	June 27, 2002
Alert Information:
In some cases, estimated times of departure (ETD) and estimated times of arrival (ETA) that contract fire crews are given do not allow sufficient time for mandatory rest periods. Contract crews use ETD/ETA timeframes to report to incidents by the requested hour. As a result, some contract fire crews may be unknowingly violating Federal work/rest guidelines. This can lead to driver/crew fatigue, stress, and a loss of concentration that could result in a vehicle accident. Ground transportation of fire personnel is made more dangerous by long hours in transit, stress, fatigue, and hard physical labor. It is important that personnel in transit to and from wildfire assignments and those entrusted with their safety adhere to national work/rest guidelines. Also, personnel transported in motor vehicles shall wear safety belts at all times when provided by motor vehicle manufacturers and comply with basic safety rules and regulations. According to section 12 of Forest Service Handbook 6709.11, Motorized Vehicles, employees and contractors operating Government vehicles shall: Drive only if they have had at least 8 consecutive hours off duty before beginning a shift. Drive no more than 2 hours without a rest stop. Operators of vehicles carrying 16 or more passengers, including the driver, shall stop for 10 minutes every hour. Drive no more than 10 hours per shift. A shift must not exceed 16 hours from the beginning of shift to the end of shift including rest and meal stops. Always wear safety belts. Vehicle operators are responsible for ensuring that all passengers, including themselves, have safety belts properly fastened before the vehicle is put in motion.
Released by:
/s/Thomas J. Mills THOMAS J. MILLS Deputy Chief for Business Operations	/s/Joel D. Holtrop JOEL D. HOLTROP Deputy Chief for State and Private Forestry