All employers, regardless of size, are required to notify OSHA when an employee is killed on the job or suffers a work-related hospitalization, amputation, or loss of an eye.

• A fatality must be reported within 8 hours.
• An in-patient hospitalization, amputation, or loss of an eye must be reported within 24 hours.
• All employers under OSHA jurisdiction must report these incidents to OSHA, even if they are exempt from routinely keeping OSHA records due to company size or industry type.
• OSHA defines in-patient hospitalization as a formal admission to the in-patient service of a hospital or clinic for care or treatment. Treatment in an Emergency Room only is not reportable.

How to Report an Incident

• Call the nearest OSHA office.
• Call the OSHA 24-hour hotline at 1-800-321-6742 (OSHA).
• Report online

Be prepared to provide the business name, names of affected employees, location and time of the incident, a brief description of the incident, and a contact person and phone number.

When a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) is involved in an accident, specific reporting and record-keeping steps are required by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to ensure compliance and assist with safety investigations. Here’s a straightforward guide for employers.

Definition of an Accident

Under Title 49 CFR, an accident involving a CMV includes:

• A fatality.
• An injury requiring immediate medical treatment away from the scene.
• A vehicle is incurring disabling damage that requires towing.

Accidents do not include incidents solely related to boarding, exiting, or loading/unloading cargo for FMCSA.

Maintaining an Accident Register

Employers must keep an Accident Register for three years following an accident. This register should contain:

• Date and location of the accident (city, state).
• Driver’s information: name and contact details.
• Injury and fatality count.
• Hazardous materials involved, if any (excluding fuel spills from tanks).
• Vehicle condition and witness contact information.

This register provides crucial information for federal and insurance investigations.

Mandatory Accident Information

Accident reports must include:

• Driver and vehicle details.
• Exact location and date.
• Severity of injuries and fatalities.
• Hazardous materials released, if applicable.

§ 382.303 Post-Accident Alcohol and Drug Testing

DOT mandates that employers conduct post-accident testing for alcohol and drugs when:

• There’s a fatality.
• A driver is cited for an accident involving injuries requiring off-site medical care.
• A vehicle is disabled and requires towing.

Timing for Testing:

• Alcohol testing: within two hours or up to eight hours if delayed.
• Drug testing: within 32 hours. Employers must document reasons if tests are delayed beyond these periods.

Driver Disqualification:

Drivers can be disqualified from operating a CMV for various offenses, including:

• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Refusing a drug or alcohol test
• Leaving the scene of an accident
• Serious traffic violations

Employer’s Role

Employers must provide drivers with post-accident testing procedures and ensure compliance, especially in remote operations. Keeping thorough records and responding swiftly to accidents are essential to meet DOT regulations.

The Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) require that certain types of hazmat incidents be reported.

Telephone report. Section 171.15 of the HMR requires an immediate telephonic report (within 12 hours) to the National Response Center (NRC) following an incident (49 eCFR 171.15). You may call the NRC at 1-800-424-8802.

Reportable incident. A telephone report is required whenever any of the following occurs during the course of transportation in commerce (including loading, unloading, and temporary storage):

(1) As a direct result of a hazardous material—

• A person is killed;
• A person receives an injury requiring admittance to a hospital;
• The general public is evacuated for one hour or more;
• A major transportation artery or facility is closed or shut down for one hour or more; or
• The operational flight pattern or routine of an aircraft is altered;

(2) A situation exists of such a nature (e.g., a continuing danger to life exists at the scene of the incident) that, in the judgment of the person in possession of the hazardous material, it should be reported to the NRC even though it does not meet the criteria of paragraphs the above.

Written Report. Section 171.16 requires incidents to be reported through PHMSA within 30 days of the incident and a follow-up written report within one year of the incident, based on certain circumstances outlined below, to be reported to PHMSA through the Hazardous Materials Incident Report Form DOT F 5800.1 (49 eCFR 171.16).

What is the Incident Report Form 5800.1?

The Incident Report Form 5800.1 is a written report required by Section 171.16 of HMR that must be submitted within 30 days of a hazardous materials transportation incident, as defined by the HMR. The information collected on the report is used by PHMSA and other agencies to mitigate risk, analyze gaps, and enhance safety.

Form 5800.1 is required to be completed if:

• Anytime you are required to make a telephonic notification
• Any unintentional release of propane during loading, unloading, or storage incidental to transportation, regardless of quantity.
• Any damage to the lading system of a specification cargo tank 1,000 gallons or greater resultant from a vehicle accident, even if no product is released

171.16 Exceptions (you don't need to report):

A release of a minimal amount of material from—

• A vent for materials for which venting is authorized;
• The routine operation of a seal, pump, compressor, or valve; or
• Connection or disconnection of loading or unloading lines provided that the release does not result in property damage.

EPA Clean School Bus Grant

TCEQ NGV Grant (includes LPG)

Check out November 6, 2024 

Weekly Propane Prices, Supply, NOAA Forecast & Heating Degree Days

Shop propane & transportation compliance items at

Propane Service Corporation (PSC), Your One-Stop Shop

Review 450 TX Job Candidates,

Post a Job or Participate in an Outreach Session. It's FREE.

Access Nextgenpropane.com

Don't miss out on getting safety information to your customers this heating season with the Texas Duty to Warn Safety Mailing Program