NASA logo NASA Headquarters' Directives
HQPR 8621.1
Effective Date: November 08, 2011
Expiration Date: June 08, 2019
Responsible Office: QA
Mishap Reporting, Investigating, and Recordkeeping Program and Plan
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Table of Contents | Preface | Chapter1 | Chapter2 | Chapter3 | Chapter4 | Chapter5 | Chapter6 | Chapter7 | AppendixA | AppendixB | AppendixC | AppendixD | AppendixE | AppendixF | Appendix G | AppendixH | AppendixI | AppendixJ | AppendixK | AppendixL

CHAPTER 2. Roles and Responsibilities

2.1 The responsibilities of the Executive Director, Office of HQ Operations are to:

2.1.1 Implement mishap reporting, investigation, and recordkeeping requirements for all operations and activities at HQ that fall under his/her responsibility.

2.1.2 Provide funding and support for mishap and close call investigations for mishaps that occur at HQ.

2.1.3 Determine (or assign a designee to determine) the mishap classification level with concurrence from the Chief, Office of the Safety and Mission Assurance (OSMA).

2.1.4 Serves as the Appointing Official for Type A and B mishaps, high-visibility mishaps and close calls that occur at HQ or involve offsite HQ support contractors following procedures in NPR 8621.1. (Refer to Appendix A: Terms and Definitions and Appendix B: HQ Mishap Response Checklist).

2.1.5 Report to the Administrator any HQ Type A or Type B mishap, any non-occupational fatality of a NASA civil service employee or on-site contractor that occurred at HQ, and when notified of an off-the-job fatality or serious injury/illness of a HQ civil service employee or contractor. (Refer to Appendix C: Notification Checklist for Executive Director, HQ Operations).

2.1.6 Report to the Associate Administrator any HQ Type C mishap involving a lost-time injury or illness. (Refer to Appendix C: Notification Checklist for Executive Director, HQ Operations).

2.2 The Officials in Charge (OIC) responsibilities are to:

2.2.1 Ensure that the policies and procedures for reporting, investigating, and documenting mishaps are implemented and that employees are familiar with the roles, responsibilities, notification, and reporting procedures outlined in this HQPR.

2.2.2 Provide support to HQ mishap investigations such as personnel, engineering support, testing, or data analysis, as requested.

2.2.3 Review mishap reports and corrective action plans for mishaps that occur in their organizations.

2.2.4 Ensure corrective action plans for mishaps in their organizations are implemented in a timely manner.

2.2.5 Report, via e-mail or telephone to the Executive Director, any Type A or Type B mishap or Type C mishap involving a lost-time injury or illness, any on-the-job non- occupational fatality of a NASA civil service or on-site contractor employee, and any off-the-job fatality or serious injury/illness of a civil service or contractor employee that occur within their organization. (Refer to Appendix A: Terms and Definitions).

2.3 Employee Responsibilities

2.3.1 If witness to, or involved in a NASA mishap or close call, immediately notify emergency response, if required. From a NASA HQ VOIP desk phone dial x1616 or press the "HQ Emergency" button; from a pay phone or cell phone dial (202) 358-1616.

2.3.2 Notify their supervisor of any mishaps, close calls, or otherwise unsafe conditions or situations.

2.3.3 Notify the HQ Safety Hotline by calling the Facility HELP Desk at (202) 358-HELP (4357), and choosing the appropriate option for Safety Hotline (after emergency response has been initiated).

2.3.4 For non-emergency mishap and close call reporting contact the HQ Safety Office at x0854 from a NASA HQ VOIP desk phone or dial (202) 358-0854 from a pay phone or cell phone.

2.4 Supervisor's responsibilities are to:

2.4.1 Ensure that any injured person immediately reports to the Health Unit or that emergency response is initiated.

2.4.2 Immediately contact the HQ Safety Hotline by calling the Facility HELP Desk at (202) 358-HELP (4357), and choose the appropriate option for Safety Hotline, when a mishap or close call occurs (after emergency response has been initiated).

2.4.3 Identify potential witnesses and get statements.

2.4.4 Secure the mishap scene and protect it from being disturbed.

2.4.5 Submit a Quick Incident report on the IRIS web site (http://nasa.ex3host.com/IRIS/) or NASA Mishap Report Form NF1627 and submit it to the HQ Safety Office within 24 hours.

2.4.6 After coordinating with the Interim Response Team (IRT) immediately initiate post accident/unsafe practice drug testing of any civil service employee or contractor employee (if permitted by the contract) suspected of having caused or contributed to a mishap that results in a fatality or personal injury requiring immediate hospitalization or damage estimated to be in excess of $10,000 to government or private property (in accordance with NPR 3792.1B, NASA Plan for a Drug Free Workplace).

2.4.7 Support the mishap investigation, as necessary.

2.4.8 Assist the HQ Safety Office determine the direct cost of the mishap or close call for the purpose of mishap classification, if requested.

2.4.9 Generate a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) to address any findings and/or recommendations identified by the mishap investigation. The CAP shall include a listing of identified findings and recommendations along with planned actions to correct the identified deficiency; an estimated completion date for each action, and the name of the manager responsible for ensuring the action is completed.

2.4.10 Notify the OIC of Type A, Type B, or Type C with lost time injury/illness or high-visibility close call involving a civil service or contractor employee in the organization, upon becoming aware of the occurrence.

2.4.11 Notify the OIC of any on-the-job non-occupational fatality of employees and on-site contractors under their supervision/responsibility and off-the-job fatality or serious injuries/illnesses of employees or contractors under their supervision/responsibility upon becoming aware of the occurrence.

2.5 The responsibility of the Headquarters Safety Office, Facilities and Administrative Services Division (FASD) is to:

2.5.1 Serve as Headquarters focal point for receiving all oral and written mishap and close call reports. The Director, FASD serves as the appointing official for Type C and Type D mishaps, or close calls, unless elevated by the Executive Director, HQ Operations.

2.5.2 Assist the appointing official to determine the mishap classification level, the type of investigation required and who will be involved in the investigation.

2.5.3 Notify HQ senior management and NASA HQ Safety and Assurance Requirements Division (SARD) within one hour of becoming aware of the occurrence of a Type A mishap, Type B mishap, high-visibility mishap, or high-visibility close call, per NPR 8621.1.

2.5.4 Report by telephone or in person to the Area Office of OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor as required per 29 CFR Part 1904.39 within eight (8) hours after the death of any employee from a work-related incident or the in-patient hospitalization of three or more employees as a result of a work-related incident.

2.5.5 Deploy an Interim Response Team (IRT) to ensure the scene is safe, collect written statements, take photos, and preserve evidence.

2.5.6 Ensure the protection of personnel from residual hazard material prior to entry into the mishap site, if required.

2.5.7 Impound all appropriate data, records, and equipment involved in the mishap.

2.5.8 Verify that appropriate measures have been taken to secure the mishap scene, to protect personnel from hazards and to preserve evidence.

2.5.9 Ensure that all mishaps and close call information is entered in the Incident Reporting Information System (IRIS) within 24 hours.

2.5.10 Maintain list of personnel trained in mishap investigations.

2.5.11 Review and approve mishap reports and corrective action plans.

2.5.12 Verify that corrective actions have been effectively implemented.

2.5.13 Perform trend analysis and other statistical analyses of mishap and close call data.

2.5.14 Provide a trained individual to serve as ex- officio for a Mishap Investigation Board (MIB) or Mishap Investigation Team (MIT) and ensure the requirements of NPR 8621.1 are followed.

2.6 Responsibilities of the Mishap Investigator(s)

2.6.1 All members of the assigned mishap investigation team shall successfully complete the web-based NASA introduction to mishap investigation training course available on SATERN.

2.6.2 At least one member of the assigned mishap investigation team must have successfully completed NASA introduction to mishap investigation training course within the last year as well as the NASA Root Cause Analysis instructor led training course within the last 3 years.

2.6.3 Conduct all activities in accordance with NPR 8621.1 and this directive.

2.6.4 Ensure the control and safety of the mishap area and nearby occupants, visitors, etc.

2.6.5 Obtain and analyze whatever evidence, facts, and statements are relevant to the incident.

2.6.6 Conduct tests and any other activity deemed appropriate.

2.6.7 Interview witnesses and receive statements from witnesses.

2.6.8 Impound property, equipment, and records as considered necessary.

2.6.9 Determine the proximate cause(s), root cause(s), and contributing factor(s) relating to the mishap and develop recommendations to prevent similar incidents.

2.6.10 Submit the completed signed mishap report that conforms to all requirements referenced in NPR 8621.1 to the appointing official within the timeframe identified by the appointing official in the appointment letter.

2.7 Headquarters Security Office Responsibilities:

2.7.1 Respond to all emergency calls, and notify appropriate emergency response personnel per Post Orders.

2.7.2 Ensure that evidence and relevant information are preserved for the safety investigation.

2.7.3 Assist safety investigators in securing mishap scenes.

2.8 Responsibilities of the Headquarters Health Unit:

2.8.1 Provide medical care to injured personnel.

2.8.2 Notify the HQ Safety Office at x0854 or fax 202- 358-3258 of any reportable injury (or illness) incidents within 24 hours of the occurrence.

2.8.3 Provide assistance to the HQ Safety Office, the IRT, and mishap investigators, as requested.

2.8.4 Provide any medical information that is pertinent to the mishap investigation and that is within their legal authority to release.

2.9 Office of the General Counsel responsibilities:

2.9.1 Provide legal support to mishap investigation teams and boards.

2.9.2 Review mishap information or reports prior to public release.

2.10 Contracting Officers (CO) and Contracting Officers Technical Representative (COTR) responsibilities:

2.10.1 Ensure that Health and Safety clauses are included in contracts.

2.10.2 Ensure that contractors understand and follow all NASA and HQ contract requirements for mishap investigation and reporting.

2.10.3 Assist in mishap investigations, as requested.

2.11 Office of Public Affairs responsibilities:

2.11.1 Provide support to mishap investigation teams and boards.

2.11.2 Review mishap information or reports prior to public release.


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