YCC Reference Manual Chapter 10: Risk Management Policies and Procedures

Risk Management Policies and Procedures

All safety regulations pursuant to YCC activity will be in accordance with applicable department policy. Supplemental guidance concerning these specific areas of YCC policy may also be developed, as necessary.

Safety Requirements

Job Hazard Analysis (JHA)

As stated in Director’s Order 50B, “The National Park Service has a continuing concern about the occupational safety and health of our employees and others who work in the parks as volunteers, contractors, concession employees, or in any other capacity…We hold the safety and health of our employees, concessioner employees, volunteers, and other Federal, state, and local stakeholders working on lands under NPS jurisdiction to be a core value of the NPS.” Refer to this policy for more guidance.Director’s Order 50B clearly outlines safety duties at the WASO, regional, unit, and site level. Superintendents, safety officers, youth supervisors, and youth must adhere to the actions outlined in their respective 50B sections.

Occupational Safety and Health Program

The YCC supervisor must document that they have considered the risks for their program and mitigated the risk appropriately. A variety of risk management tools may be used to determine the level of risk and appropriate mitigation. The tools include but are not limited to a Green Amber Red (GAR), Severity Probability Exposure (SPE), job hazard analysis (JHA), job safety analysis (JSA), or equivalent approved tool may be used to determine the level of risk and appropriate mitigation. Completing this process meets the “risk assessment” requirement on the OF301a form. Tools, templates, and training are available from the designated safety officer for the park, region, or program.The YCC supervisor is responsible for evaluating the specific job, outlining the potential hazards/injury sources and identifying actions, procedures, and safety equipment to mitigate safety risks to the youth involved in the program. Failure by the program supervisor to provide adequate supervision or appropriate safety training and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) not only violates federal mandates but also increases the risk to the participants. It also may increase NPS exposure to potential violation notices of OSHA regulations, violate existing labor-management agreements, escalate the number of workers’ compensation claims, and heighten the potential of tort liability for supervisors’ acts of omission. The YCC supervisor is also responsible for continued communication around safety and risk management, beyond the initial onboarding of the YCC member.YCC members must observe the same safety regulations, policies, and procedures, and use the same safety equipment and PPE as paid employees. YCC members will be provided all necessary training prior to commencing work in the park or program. When specialized operational and/or safety training is needed, the YCC members will not be allowed to perform the job until all training is completed, the YCC supervisor understands the individual’s work capability, and the participant understands the job and its hazards. All employees, including youth, must not perform work for which they are not qualified or have not been adequately trained, work that they do not feel comfortable doing or do not willingly agree to do, or work that is not part of the service description.

Supervision

The YCC Site Program Manager and YCC Crew Leader are responsible for the safety and health of YCC members assigned to their host site and must ensure compliance with their supervisory responsibilities.Minimum requirements for supervisors are as follows:

1. Youth must be supervised by at least one host site staff member for every ten YCC members assigned at all times while on duty or, if participating in an overnight or hybrid YCC program. YCC Crew Leaders may leave youth in the care of other host site or governmental (i.e., Forest Service) officials if pre-arranged by the YCC Site Program Manager, or in the case of an emergency.
2. Individual YCC Crew Leaders should never be alone with a single YCC member. One-on-one interactions between a YCC Crew Leader and YCC member should be conducted within sight of at least one other YCC member or YCC program staff. When camping, Crew Leaders may not tent with youth, and youth must sleep in same-sex tents. Crew Leaders must camp within hearing distance of all YCC member tents. A curfew must be set each night and strictly enforced. Camp boundaries may also be set if deemed necessary.
3. YCC Crew Leaders and YCC supervisors must possess a valid state driver’s license.
4. YCC supervisors must be knowledgeable of accident/illness prevention methods and procedures for outdoor work activities, and NPS procedures for reporting accidents and related injuries and illnesses.
5. Prior to beginning work activities, the YCC supervisor must instruct YCC members in safe operating procedures for the specific activity, check that those procedures are practiced, and ensure appropriate PPE is available and used by YCC members, if applicable. YCC members must be made aware of proper usage of the PPE and its limitations. JHAs should be used for this purpose.
6. YCC supervisors must be thoroughly familiar with host site safety plans.
7. If the YCC supervisor is not currently certified in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), each work location, area, or group must have one other individual available who is currently certified in both.
8. YCC supervisors must be familiar with risk management tools for YCC activities.

First Aid

1. OSHA regulations state that “first aid supplies should be readily available in the workplace” and cites the American National Standard (ANSI) Z308.1 "Minimum Requirements for Workplace First-aid Kits.” Find more guidance on what type of first aid kit might be needed and the supplies required. Ensure adequate first aid kits are accessible to all YCC supervisors. YCC supervisors must be trained in bloodborne pathogen protection per 29 CFR 1910.1030 in case they will be required to provide care.
2. First aid kits must include equipment for protection from bloodborne pathogens as required by Occupational Health and Safety Act, 29 CFR 1910.1030.
3. Other items, such as creams or lotions for prevention of sunburn, plant poisons, insect bites, and other irritants must be included in first aid kits.

Orientation

All YCC members must receive a safety orientation from the host site. This should be done in collaboration with site staff and/or partners providing technical expertise, such as the Trails Supervisor or the Lead Park Ranger. While YCC members without PIV cards will not have access to internal government systems, the YCC supervisor should take the necessary trainings and cover the points in their YCC orientation. YCC members should also be made aware of the safety plan and procedures that must be followed in the event of emergencies. Procedures need to include methods of requesting emergency assistance from remote locations. Evacuation plans shall be developed, and regular drills need to be conducted to ensure the process of exiting a building or area during an emergency situation (known as emergency egress) is understood.The Occupational Safety and Health Field Manual provides basic guidance across a broad range of topics, including safe work practices and procedures and reporting unsafe conditions. Refer to the Occupational Safety and Health SharePoint site (internal) for guidance on required and recommended trainings, policy links, templates, JHA forms, and Safety Management Information System (SMIS) reporting procedures. As a reminder, YCC members are entitled to rights from the Federal Employees Compensation Act and Tort Claims Act, as detailed below.

Federal Employees Compensation Act

The Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) is a workers’ compensation law administered by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP). The FECA provides compensation and medical benefits to civil service employees of the United States for disability due to personal injury or occupational disease sustained while in the performance of federal duty. FECA also provides payment of benefits to survivors should the injury or disease result in the employee’s death. YCC members are considered federal employees for purposes of FECA but are not entitled to Continuation of Pay (COP) in the instance of filing a CA-1 (Federal Employees Notice of Traumatic Injury and Claim for Continuation of Pay/Compensation).

1. YCC members are entitled to immediate first aid. Medical care, including hospitalization, diagnostic testing, and pharmaceuticals, are covered upon acceptance of the claim by the U.S. Department of Labor. Form CA-16, Authorization for Examination and/or Treatment, should be completed by the YCC supervisor to authorize immediate medical treatment.
2. Job-related injuries should be reported on Form CA-1, Federal Employees Notice of Traumatic Injury and Claim for Continuation of Pay/Compensation electronically in the ECOMP system. YCC members are not entitled to Continuation of Pay (COP-HC160). Job-related illnesses should be reported on Form CA-2, Federal Employees Notice of Occupational Disease and Claim for Compensation electronically in the ECOMP system.
3. The YCC supervisor submits an NPS Serious Incident Report to the Emergency Incident Coordination Center (EICC).
4. YCC staff report all incidents to the YCC Site Program Manager and Regional Safety Officer and logs the incident into the Safety Management Information System (SMIS).
5. The YCC supervisor should initiate an accident investigation, Root Cause Analysis, and/or debrief of incident, if warranted.
6. After arrangements have been made for first aid or other medical care for the injured or ill YCC member, the YCC supervisor should determine exactly what caused the accident and what can be done to avoid a similar occurrence. The appropriate forms, including the Occupational Safety & Health Administration Form (OSHA 301), should be completed and sent to your Regional Safety Officer. Provide a copy to the Regional Youth Programs Coordinator.
7. If computer access is available, the OWCP and OSHA forms should be completed in the Safety Management Information System (SMIS) to expedite filing and benefits (internal). This is where injuries and accidents are initiated. OWCP forms should be submitted within 10 days (five days for the supervisor and five days for the YCC Workers’ Compensation Coordinator) to the U.S. Department of Labor. OWCP claims must be submitted in the Employees’ Compensation Operations & Management Portal (ECOMP).
8. View more information about Workers' Compensation (internal) on the SharePoint site.

Federal Tort Claims Act

The Federal Tort Claims Act provides a mechanism for people to make claims against the U.S. government for damage, loss, injury, or death caused by negligent or wrongful acts or omissions of any employee of the government while acting in the performance of their duties. YCC members and staff acting on behalf of the NPS are considered government employees for purposes of this act. Regional Safety Managers should be able to direct the YCC supervisor to the proper contact concerning all tort claims. Sites should also have someone who is delegated the responsibility for tort claims.

Child Labor and Fair Labor Standards Act

The Fair Labor Standards Act requires that participants be a minimum age of 18 years in any nonagricultural occupations that the Secretary of Labor “shall find and by order declare” to be particularly hazardous occupational activities for minors between 15 and 18 years of age, or detrimental to their health and well-being. Other federal and state laws may have higher standards. When these apply, the more stringent standard must be observed. All states have child labor laws and compulsory school attendance laws.The U.S. Department of Labor prohibited and hazardous occasions for minors in effect either apply on an industry basis, specifying the occupations in the industry that are not covered, or on an occupational basis regardless of the industry in which it is found. YCC member activity is restricted in accordance with specific orders.The orders in effect deal with the following:

1. Manufacturing and storing explosives
2. Motor vehicle driving and outside helper
3. Coal mining
4. Logging and sawmilling
5. Power-driven woodworking machines
6. Exposure to radioactive substances
7. Power-drive hoisting apparatus
8. Power-driven metal forming punching, and shearing machines
9. Mining, other than coal mining
10. Slaughtering, or meatpacking, processing, or rendering
11. Power-driven bakery machines
12. Power-driven paper product machines
13. Manufacturing brick, tile, and kindred products
14. Power-driven circular saws, band saws, and guillotine shears
15. Wrecking, demolition, and shipbreaking operations

Preparation

Staff Training

The YCC program requires its staff members to participate in training before the youth begin work. YCC staff must be trained in how to recognize and mitigate hazards associated with the work they will be performing before they are exposed to those hazards. It is paramount that the YCC staff who will be overseeing the operations, and the YCC Crew Leader should have a good understanding of the hazards associated with the work the YCC members will perform. The YCC staff training should be revised annually with the input of appropriate staff. YCC supervisors are responsible for the safety and health of YCC members assigned to the host site and must ensure compliance with their responsibilities.

YCC Member Training

All YCC members are required to receive proper training during the program. It is essential that they also be trained in how to recognize and mitigate hazards associated with the work they will be performing before they are exposed to those hazards. The goal of the risk management portion of the orientation is to prepare the YCC staff and YCC members to maintain personal and group safety while working, recreating, and learning in an outdoor environment. It includes an introduction to the work projects, proper tool use, PPE, emergency protocol, vehicle safety, environmental hazards, basic self-care and hygiene, and backcountry camping. Leave-No-Trace practices are also good to share.

Tailgate Safety Sessions

For YCC members working indoors, it is important to go over any safety concerns that might arise for that particular day or project. For YCC members primarily working outdoors, the first 30 minutes of each workday should be dedicated to an overview of safety procedures. Comprehensive stretching exercises and a discussion of job hazards should be included in the session.Stretching is an important part of the preventative safety program for YCC members. It is important to stretch before working, hiking, and recreating. Forgetting to stretch can lead to preventable muscle injuries or worse.Identifying hazards and safety concerns each day before work begins goes a long way towards developing truly safety-conscious individuals.

Additional Training

All YCC Crew Leaders will be required to have at a minimum a current First Aid and CPR Certification. Note that most of these training courses now cover Bloodborne Pathogens training.

Ongoing Training

Youth often begin YCC with little to no prior field experience. Although a thorough YCC member training occurs at the beginning of the season, every situation and skill cannot be covered during training, and YCC members will need reminders on how to properly perform certain tasks. It is the YCC Site Program Manager’s and YCC Crew Leader’s responsibility to understand the skill level of each YCC member in the crew in relation to all aspects of the field. This is accomplished through a weekly (and sometimes daily) check-in with the YCC members and supervision of all activities. If a task is new to youth or is being executed improperly, the YCC Crew Leader must take the time to train the youth in that task. No youth or employee may partake in a work activity without first being trained. Sometimes training will have to be conducted multiple times a day or week. The proper and safe execution of a task always takes priority over finishing the job.

Ongoing Risk Assessment

As with training, not all risks can be planned for ahead of time. Risk management is an ongoing process, requiring staff (and youth) to continually reassess risk. YCC Crew Leaders must be trained on how to assess risk in a more formal fashion using the Operational Leadership Principles and the Operational Risk Assessment Process (with SPE/GAR). Refer to the Operational Leadership (Risk Management) Tools for more guidance, including the Operational Leadership training required for all NPS staff, and the “Risk Assessment Overview.” If a situation is deemed too risky to continue, YCC Crew Leaders can make immediate changes to mitigate the risks, including taking a crew out of the field. Weekly meetings give YCC Crew Leaders and YCC staff an opportunity to review risks encountered in the field, develop new procedures for mitigating risks, and address potential risks for the upcoming week. YCC Crew Leaders should empower YCC members to speak up if they have a concern or question so that risks can be mitigated.

Before Each Season

1. Review the risk management section of the reference manual, which provides risk assessment tools that can be used to be prepared.
2. The safety plan and safety trainings must be reviewed and revised as needed by the YCC Site Program Manager.
3. All equipment (including PPE) must be examined to determine that it is in good condition. Damaged or expired PPE must be removed from service and replaced.

Before Each Project

1. The YCC Site Program Manager must develop a list of local emergency resources and phone numbers, a description of the project and related hazards, safety updates, travel routes, and a list of necessary equipment and tools.
2. The YCC supervisor will develop an agreement with any partners/in-field contacts that should include the emergency response protocol, contact information for the crew, travel plans, and project details.
3. All YCC Crew Leaders must review the risk management tools for their specific project(s) and should complete a new risk assessment or re-assess risk using existing risk assessments when necessary.
4. The YCC Crew Leader must develop an emergency response plan and complete a travel plan. The YCC Crew Leader will also complete a vehicle check and resolve any problems before operating the vehicle.

Communications

YCC Crew Leaders will be provided with reliable communication devices. For example, a portable radio with an extra battery, a cell phone, a satellite phone, a SPOT or in-Reach device. Communication devices must be kept with the crew at all times. At the start of each project, the following items should be given to each YCC Crew Leader: an emergency communications card explaining how to use each device; a list of important phone numbers; radio call numbers; radio channel designations; maps; and addresses for their work area, including emergency response and medical facility contact information.

Vehicle Safety

Use of private vehicles by YCC members for government business is prohibited, and the government will not assume liability for accidents in YCC members’ private vehicles. Transportation from the YCC member’s residence to the assigned reporting area will generally be the responsibility of the YCC member. However, if circumstances warrant (i.e., if there is an extensive commuting distance between the work site and the nearest recruitment area), transportation may be provided for members as a group, if approved by the YCC supervisor. Note, these are typically 12-passenger vehicles or fewer. Read more about Motor Vehicle Operations (internal) on the Occupational Safety and Health SharePoint site. The following criteria will apply:

1. YCC members are provided transportation from a pick-up site chosen by the YCC Site Program Manager. From that point, a YCC staff member will provide YCC members transportation to (and from, where applicable) the work site in a government vehicle.
2. YCC members are on duty during the time when they are being transported in a government vehicle to and from the assigned pick-up site to the work site.
3. Each person in the vehicle must have and use a seat belt.
4. All vehicles used for transportation of YCC members must be official government vehicles, and regulations concerning retaining vehicles at private residences overnight must be followed.

YCC members 18 years of age with a valid State Driver’s License (no Beginner’s License or Permit) may operate a government vehicle at the discretion of the YCC supervisor. If an 18-year-old is permitted to drive a government vehicle, this does not mean that any type of motorized equipment can be operated. A road test on each piece of equipment is required unless prior experience is presented in writing to the host site. If regional policy allows, other motorized service equipment may be operated by 18-year-old YCC members after satisfactory completion of a local training course and a road or field test, at the discretion of the YCC supervisor.In the case of an accident involving a vehicle operated by a YCC member, the host site must use operational funds to settle any claims resulting from this type of accident, including tort claims.The following criteria will apply in regards to governing the use of transportation for YCC activities:

1. An understanding and adherence to all traffic laws is required, and YCC members must comply with all applicable state traffic laws and executive orders, including the use of cellular phones and texting while driving.
2. Drivers of federal vehicles must always have a valid license with them while driving. If an authorized driver’s license is suspended, revoked, or restricted, the YCC member must immediately notify the YCC supervisor and cease operations of all motor vehicles until such time that the license has been reinstated.
3. Personal use of federal vehicles is prohibited.
4. Any site staff member who may be driving YCC youth is required to take a defensive driving course (internal), or show proof of completion of such a course) before driving with any youth in a vehicle. Defensive driving courses (NSC Defensive Driving II) are available at no cost through the General Services Administration Fleet Drive Thru program.
5. When possible, all steps should be taken to limit YCC members’ need to operate a vehicle while on duty. In general, YCC members should not operate government-owned vehicles, but exceptions may be made depending on the nature of the work. If a YCC member must drive a vehicle, a completed defensive driving course through the GSA Fleet Drive Thru program or through the National Safety site’s must be taken first. Please contact your site’s Park Safety Officer or Regional Safety Manager for more details regarding how to access this course.

Professional Conduct/Emotional Safety

Most youth and young adult programs emphasize physical safety, and in order for any program to successfully engage its participants, they also need to feel a sense of community as well. One important step towards achieving such community is to create an emotionally and psychologically safe environment.

1. YCC programs and activities should have clear rules for dealing with bullying and other forms of physical violence and verbal abuse.
2. Adults need to model appropriate strategies for dealing with anger, frustration, conflict, and other negative emotions.
3. Youth need to have opportunities to try out new activities without fear of criticism.

Everyone involved in the YCC program must treat one another with respect. Each person has the right to feel safe in expressing their beliefs and ideas. An initial clear structure with consistent open communication fosters a safe and productive environment for youth.

Below are some guidelines for communications.

Make sure communication is clear: YCC members should have a clear understanding of the program rules and structure on their first day of orientation or prior to beginning the program. YCC staff should make it clear that they are open to questions or concerns about the program’s rules and structure.

Be consistent, personal, and open: Once youth understand what they are expected to contribute to their work environment, consistent check-ins with each YCC member should occur. A good example is “Friday Feedback.” This is a time dedicated to a personal conversation with each YCC member. Each week, YCC Crew Leaders and YCC members have the opportunity to ask questions and receive feedback on the YCC members’ progress. Although this should be a personal, one-on-one conversation, it should take place within sight of other YCC staff or YCC members. It is important to give each YCC member some time without interruption to provide an open and honest environment.For resources on wellness and resilience for YCC staff and YCC members, visit the Wellness & Resilience Portal (internal), or contact Wellness Office. It also includes important numbers to call if you or someone you know is in crisis or is being harmed. If you see something, say something before it is potentially too late.If there is concern of child abuse or neglect, this is often a mandatory requirement to report for most states. Refer to local and state laws for further guidance.

Physical Work Safety

1. While working on maintenance projects, YCC members and YCC Crew Leaders are required to wear PPE. Other controls to abate the risk, such as engineering and administrative controls, should be considered, since there are limitations to PPE. The site must assess the hazards expected in the workplace and ensure all required PPE is available, in good condition, adequate for the intended task, and is used in the correct, prescribed manner for the job. All personnel must be taught how to properly use and maintain PPE before using it. Below is guidance for physical work safety:

• Appropriate footwear (leather boots whenever using swinging/digging tools, near swinging/digging tools, or near tripping, falling hazards)
• Hard hat and long pants (whenever using swinging/digging tools, near swinging/digging tools, or near tripping, falling hazards)
• Gloves (whenever using swinging/digging tools, near swinging/digging tools, or near noticeable hazards)
• Safety glasses (whenever near metal striking wood, metal striking metal, or metal striking rock, or whenever there is a risk of flying debris)
• Hearing protection (around power tools)

1. Under no circumstance is a YCC member to operate a chainsaw.
2. Tools must be used in a safe manner and must be transported to and from the field and to and from the work site.
3. Thirty-minute safety sessions (see Tailgate Safety Sessions) should be administered by the YCC Crew Leader daily prior to work.

Office or Indoor Work Safety (see Managing Indoor Work)

Consider the following safety concerns when managing YCC youth in an office or indoor work environment. This list is not exhaustive. The risk assessment or JHA should address these common issues and how to mitigate them:

1. Hand and wrist-related injuries
2. Dangerous walking surfaces
3. Lifting heavy items
4. Falling objects
5. Hazardous office equipment

Recreation, Camping, and Off Time

Most injuries that take place as part of the YCC program occur during recreational activities, not during work. Often this is due to decreased situational awareness during “down time” by both staff and youth. To mitigate this risk, YCC members are required to do a tailgate safety session before any recreational activity. Restrictions on recreational activities include the following:

1. Youth are not allowed to climb higher than six feet.
2. Youth are not allowed to be alone while hiking, working, or at a camp site.
3. Youth are not allowed to swim without a completed swimming ability proficiency form. At least one staff person must be by the water acting as a “spotter.”
4. Any atypical recreational activities must be pre-approved by the YCC Site Program Manager.

Medication Distribution

YCC Crew Leaders or the YCC Site Program Manager are responsible for making medications available to YCC members, when needed, and must record the date, time, and dosage of all medications taken.By law, YCC staff are not allowed to administer medications, even over-the-counter medications, to youth. Although YCC Crew Leaders maintain possession of medications and make them available when needed, youth must self-administer their own medications.The monitoring of YCC member medications ensures there is no abuse or sharing of medications within the program, and that YCC staff are made aware if a YCC member has decided to self-regulate medication without prior approval from a parent/guardian or medical care professional. The abuse, sharing, or unplanned discontinuance of prescription (and sometimes nonprescription) medication can endanger the individuals involved and the entire crew. If any of these circumstances occur in the field, the YCC member(s) involved should immediately be taken off the project and the YCC staff and YCC Site Program Manager should be notified. From there, the parents/guardians of the YCC member(s) should be contacted.

YCC Top 10

YCC Crew Leaders should be familiar with these 10 categories of incidents. They are the most common problems encountered (in no particular order). Refer to the Field Manual 51 for more information on the EMS protocols:

1. Blisters
2. Cuts/Abrasions
3. Strains/Sprains
4. Smashed Digits
5. Bone Injury
6. Head/Back/Neck Injury
7. Medical Emergency (Asthma, Food Allergy, Insect Sting)
8. Environmental Emergency (Hypothermia, Heat Stroke/Exhaustion, Dehydration)
9. Illness
10. Health History (Heart, Diabetes, Allergies)

Minor Injury/Illness

The YCC Crew Leader will often be the first on scene for some injuries/illnesses that may be encountered in the field, such as blisters, headaches, and small cuts. In the field, especially the backcountry, infection is the greatest risk for most minor injuries. Careful cleaning and monitoring are key to successful treatment.Reporting protocol includes noting injuries/illnesses and treatment in your journal and relaying them to the YCC Site Program Manager upon return to the YCC site.

Crisis Leadership

When faced with a debilitating or perhaps life- threatening injury or illness, the YCC Crew Leader is responsible for both caring for the hurt participant within the level of training taken and leading the rest of the crew. Therefore, the YCC Crew Leader must take charge of the situation in a firm, calm way. Ensure YCC Crew Leaders have the skills and resources to act quickly, effectively, and responsibly in stressful situations.

Medical Incidents and Emergency Protocol

It is the responsibility of the YCC Site Program Manager to ensure all YCC staff and YCC crews have proper emergency response training and equipment. YCC Crew Leaders will need to use their best judgment to determine which resources will provide the quickest medical response. The entire crew must develop an emergency response plan at the beginning of each work week and upon changing conditions in the field. An emergency response plan is the responsibility of the local Chief Ranger or Senior Law Enforcement Officer. It is required per Reference Manual 9.

What An Emergency Response Plan Includes

1. A review of available emergency response resources in the area (medical facilities, Search and Rescue teams, life-flight, unit staff, backcountry cabins, equipment, etc.).
2. A list of available communication devices and instructions on how to use them.
3. A review of evacuation criteria and resources.
4. A chain of command and an explanation of the delegation of responsibilities.
5. A contingency plan.
6. If a work-related injury or illness requires professional medical assistance and is not life- threatening, every effort must be made to notify the YCC Site Program Manager or YCC Crew Leader before obtaining this assistance. If the supervisors are unavailable, the human resources office may be contacted for medical treatment authorization. Youth are eligible for worker’s compensation benefits, except for COP benefits.

First Aid for Minor Medical Incidents

In the case of an injury that requires care in the field but does not require professional medical attention, YCC Crew Leaders are responsible for administering first aid, monitoring the patient, and documenting the incident. Except in the case of minor scrapes or bruises, the YCC supervisor should be contacted as soon as possible. Depending on the severity of the incident, parents may be contacted by the YCC Site Program Manager or YCC staff. Please see the following list of protocols for responding to minor medical incidents:

1. Administer first aid.
2. Record all first aid given, and complete paperwork if necessary.
3. Monitor the patient.
4. Contact the YCC Site Program Manager as soon as possible.
5. Provide details for the completion of the accident investigation report, if necessary.

Non-Emergency Medical Response Protocol

For medical incidents that require professional medical attention, the YCC Site Program Manager must consult with the parent or guardian for those under 18, unless immediate treatment is required (see above). A CA-1 or CA-2 and a CA-16 must be filled out whenever professional medical treatment is received. Forms can be found in the YCC Crew Leaders’ first aid kits. The YCC Site Program Manager or YCC staff will contact the parent/guardian of the patient for all incidents that require professional medical treatment.

Front-Country Emergency Response Protocol

Front-country emergencies are those for which professional medical care can be obtained in less than an hour. In the case of a medical emergency in the front country, Crew Leaders should immediately call 9-1-1 and then administer first aid to the patient, if needed, until emergency units arrive. Please see the following list of protocols for responding to a front-country emergency:

1. Call 9-1-1 or the closest advanced medical resource.
2. Administer first aid until professional care arrives.
3. Proceed to the nearest medical facility, if required.
4. Contact the YCC Site Program Manager, YCC Crew Leader, and parent/guardian/emergency contact as soon as possible.
5. Record all medical treatment given.
6. Fill out necessary paperwork, including a CA-1 or CA-2 and/or CA-1
7. Provide details to complete the accident investigation report (see Steps for Reporting Medical Incidents and Accidents below).

Backcountry Emergency Response Protocol

Responding to a backcountry emergency is not as simple as calling 9-1-1 and waiting for help to arrive. Rescuers must often respond creatively and develop a more complex emergency plan that may involve long-term care and/or evacuation of the patient. According to the Wilderness Medical Institute, four factors differentiate backcountry, or “wilderness,” medicine from front-country medicine:

1. Time: The patient is often more than one hour from definitive care, and changes may occur over time to the patient’s conditions and needs.
2. Environment: Environmental conditions may exacerbate injuries or incidents.
3. Improvisation: Treatment, equipment used, and evacuation methods may need to be improvised.
4. Communication and Decision Making: Communication with outside assistance can be limited, and rescuers may need to make decisions without advice from medical professionals.

In the Case of a Backcountry Emergency

1. Provide immediate medical attention if the problem is compromising the patient’s airway, breathing, or circulation.
2. Mobilize an emergency response team.
3. Administer wilderness medical care and monitor the patient (refer to Wilderness Medicine Field Guide).
4. Develop an evacuation plan (see below).
5. Evacuate the patient.
6. Contact the YCC Site Program Manager or YCC staff as soon as possible.
7. Record all medical treatment given.
8. Fill out necessary paperwork, including a CA-1, CA-2, and/or CA-16.
9. Provide details to complete the accident investigation report (see Steps for Reporting Medical Incidents and Accidents below).

Evacuations

YCC Crew Leaders will determine whether to evacuate a patient based on a combination of the following:

1. The recommendation from an emergency medical professional.
2. The recommendation from the Wilderness Medicine Field Guide.
3. The risk posed to others in the group.
4. Their best judgment based on the specific circumstances of the situation (e.g., risk posed to others, distance to road, difficulty of terrain, group strength and abilities, outside assistance, and severity of the injury).

Documenting and Reporting Medical Incidents and Emergency Protocol

YCC Crew Leaders are responsible for documenting and reporting to the YCC Site Program Manager all job-related incidents they witness or are involved with as soon as possible, as described below. All incidents will be investigated by the YCC Site Program Manager, YCC staff, and/or Safety Officer.

Reportable Incidents

1. Injury, occupational illness, or death connected with the performance of work duties by employees or other personnel under unit jurisdiction.
2. Public injury, death, and/or property damage related to NPS operations or facilities.
3. Any loss involving equipment, structures, or contents of any property under unit control.
4. Property damage, regardless of the amount of damage, and/or any injury resulting from the operation of unit, GSA, privately owned, or commercially leased vehicles and equipment used for official business.
5. Other property under site control that is damaged by accident, regardless of the value of damage, regardless of whether it is to be repaired or replaced, and regardless of who caused the damage.
6. Guidance for the above types of incidents are found in RM-50B. They are reported in SMIS and include injury, occupational illness, near-misses, property damage, and occupational exposure. Disciplinary incidents that require punitive actions are not covered by RM-50B.

Steps for Reporting Medical Incidents and Accidents

Contacting Parents/Guardians

The YCC Site Program Manager or YCC staff is responsible for contacting parents/guardians, when deemed appropriate. They must be contacted for all incidents that require professional medical care. Unless authorized by a YCC supervisor, YCC Crew Leaders and YCC members should not contact parents/guardians directly.

Serious Incidents

YCC Site Program Managers must immediately report any serious incident affecting either youth or the YCC program under their jurisdiction.Serious incidents are the following:

1. Death or serious injury, for which hospitalization is required of youth or staff or of other people resulting from the actions of youth or staff. Death must be reported to OSHA within eight hours by calling the local area office or the 24-hour hotline at 1-800-321-6742. Loss of an eye, amputation, or in-patient hospitalization must be reported to OSHA within 24 hours.
2. Medical emergencies threatening the lives of youth or staff, such as the outbreak of life-threatening diseases.
3. Natural disasters threatening the lives of youth or staff.
4. Serious civil disturbances involving youth in which lives are threatened.
5. Other major incidents that, in your judgment, may result in immediate adverse media attention or public reaction to the YCC program.

Other incidents should be reported at the discretion of the YCC Site Program Manager.The YCC Site Program Manager must report the incident by telephone to the Regional Safety Manager and Regional Youth Programs Coordinator within 24 hours. The Regional Youth Programs Coordinator must report the incident by telephone immediately to the WASO YCC Program Manager. A written report must follow.


View Chapter 11 or go back to the YCC RM landing page.