PS Form 1700, Accident Investigation Worksheet, has been revised to meet current and future business needs and requirements. The August 2008 edition replaces the December 1991 edition. All previous editions of PS Form 1700 are obsolete and must be recycled if possible or discarded in accordance with local policy. This form appears on pages 11–14 of this Postal Bulletin. (See related article titled “Revised PS Form 1700, Accident Investigation Worksheet” on page 10.)
The revision of PS Form 1700 affects Handbook PO–702, Tort Claims Administration. The following revisions to Handbook PO-702 are effective immediately.
Handbook PO-702, Tort Claims Administration
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2 Investigating and Reporting Vehicle Accidents
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23 On-Site Investigation
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234 Record Conditions at the Scene
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Exhibit 234.4, PS Form 1700, Accident Investigation Worksheet Instructions
[Replace the December 1991 edition of PS Form 1700, Accident Investigation Worksheet, with the August 2008 edition.]
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[Revise instructions for items 17–45 as follows:]
Items 17 through 24. This section can be completed after you return to your office.
Item 25. USPS Investigator and Telephone No.: Enter the name and telephone number of the on-the-scene investigator if it is not the same as the investigator who completes this report. (Sometimes it is necessary for the adjudicators to talk directly to the on-the-scene investigator). Time of Call and Arrival at Scene: Enter the time of the call and the time the investigator arrived at the scene.
Item 26. Description of How Accident Occurred: Enter a narrative description of how the accident occurred. Summarize the information you have collected. Be clear and concise, but do not omit information.
Items 27 through 41. This section is for non-vehicle accidents only. See page 61.
Item 42. Conclusions. THIS BLOCK IS FOR USE BY THE LAW DEPARTMENT ONLY.
Field Sketch. Draw a basic sketch of the accident scene, showing the street configuration, any traffic signals or signs, the estimated point of collision, and location of the vehicles at their final resting point.
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3 Investigating and Reporting Non-vehicle Accidents
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33 On-Site Investigation
331 At the Scene of the Accident
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Exhibit 331.2, PS Form 1700, Accident Investigation Worksheet Instructions
[Replace the December 1991 edition of PS Form 1700, Accident Investigation Worksheet, with the August 2008 edition.]
[Revise the instructions as follows:]
Item 1. This can be completed in your office. For non-vehicle accidents, complete only the items within the heavy black lines. Post Office: Enter the office where the non-vehicle accident occurred. Date: Enter date of accident. Time: Enter time accident occurred. Day of Week: Enter the day of week accident occurred. Case No.: Obtain from Tort Claims Office Software database.
Item 2. Exact Location: Enter exact location of accident, for example, lobby, stairs, or sidewalk.
Item 3. This item is for vehicle accidents only. See page 28.
Item 4. Photos Taken: Check Yes or No. If yes, include photos in the file.
Item 5. Witness Name, Age, Address, and Telephone No.: Enter witness name, age, address, and telephone number. Acquire this information as soon as possible upon arrival at the accident scene.
Item 6. Injured or Killed: Enter sex, age, and first aid action for the private parties only. If taken from scene, indicate where taken and by whom.
Items 7 through 24. These items are for vehicle accidents. See page 28.
Item 25. USPS Investigator and Telephone No.: Enter the name and telephone number of the on-the-scene investigator if it is not the same as the investigator who completes this report. (Sometimes it is necessary for the adjudicators to talk directly to the on-the-scene investigator). Time of Call and Arrival At Scene: Enter the time of the call and the time of arrival at the scene.
Item 26. Description of How Accident Occurred: Enter a narrative description of how the accident occurred. Summarize the information you have collected. Be clear and concise, but do not omit information.
Item 27. Enter the sex, age, and approximate height of the injured party. If the person is not injured too seriously, you may obtain the required information and a statement. Indicate the physical condition of the injured party or property when you arrived. If there was no person involved or property other than vehicles damaged, enter N/A.
Item 28. Obtain statements by any witnesses. If there are no witnesses; indicate so in this section. Do not use: N/A.
Item 29. Describe damage to property.
Item 30. Obtain customer’s name, address, birth date, and gender or site of property damage.
Item 31. Indicate if an employee was involved — yes or no. If yes; complete item 17.
Item 32. Indicate if premises are leased — yes or no. If yes, obtain and attach copy of lease.
Item 33. Indicate if customer was injured — yes or no. If yes, complete item 6.
Item 34. Describe nature of injury.
Item 35. Indicate if property damage was involved — yes or no. If yes, complete item 30.
Item 36. Indicate if there was a witness to the accident — yes or no. If yes, complete items 5 and 28.
Item 37. Describe activity or activities of the customer prior to accident. Indicate if customer was walking, running, or if horse play was involved.
Item 38. Indicate and describe if structural factors (building defects, sidewalks, steps, lighting, and docks) were contributory to the accident. Describe handrail availability.
Item 39. Indicate and describe if custodial factors (cleaning, waxing, mopping, lobby equipment) were contributory to the accident. Describe warning signs displayed. Indicate if custodian was on-duty at time of accident — yes or no. If yes, request a written statement from the custodian, including custodian full name (last, first, MI)
Item 40. Indicate and describe if weather factors (rain, snow, ice) or any other uncontrollable event were contributory to the accident.
Item 41. Indicate and describe if human factors (illness, physical, psychological, or medication) were contributory to the accident.
Item 42. Conclusions: List only final factual information from your investigation. Do not make any conclusions as to fault or liability.
Item 43. Investigator’s Printed Name and Signature: Type or print name and sign this form. Include the formal title of the investigator, the office telephone number, and the date the form is completed.
Field Sketch. Draw a basic sketch of the accident scene, showing the street configuration, any traffic signals or signs, and location of the vehicles involved in the collision.
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We will incorporate these revisions into the next printed version of Handbook PO-702 and into the next online update, available on the Postal Service™ PolicyNet website:
(The direct URL for the Postal Service PolicyNet website is http://blue.usps.gov/cpim.)
— Safety and Environmental Performance Management,
Employee Resource Management, 12-4-08
