OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.
January 31, 1990
MEMORANDUM FOR: STATE DESIGNEES
FROM: BRUCE HILLENBRAND, Director
Federal-State Operations
SUBJECT: Electronic Copies of OSHA's FOM, Standards and
Regulations Available Through OCIS; and Survey
on Standards Pamphlets
The OSHA Field Operations Manual (FOM), standards and regulations are now available to the States in electronic format as full text files in the OSHA Computerized Information System (OCIS). These resources can be used by State designees as an aid in drafting compliance guidelines, State standards and regulations.
The FOM and OSHA standards and regulations have been converted to ASCII text which can be used with any word processing software. The FOM represents the latest version issued as OSHA Instruction CPL 2.45B, June 15, 1989. Changes will be incorporated in the online version as they are issued.
The online version of OSHA standards and regulations is based on the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Parts 1900 through 1928, and 1960 obtained from the Government Printing Office. Parts 1950 through 1959 are being added. Changes published in the Federal Register are added to the online text the same day the paper copy is received by the Salt Lake City Analytical Laboratory (SLCAL), which is generally four to seven days from the date of issue.
OSHA standards current through July 1989 can also be obtained as CFR Parts on three magnetic tapes from the Government Printing Office at a cost of $125 each. Data on these tapes include phototypesetting codes used by GPO.
Copies of the FOM on floppy disk in IBM PC format can be obtained from the OSHA Salt Lake City Laboratory at no cost. Two high density (1.2 mb) 5 1/4" floppy disks will be provided. To request copies, contact the OCIS Help Desk at (801) 487-0680.
Sections of text from both the FOM and OSHA standards and regulations can be downloaded from OCIS to any computer capable of accessing OCIS. The full text of 75% of all OSHA directives, including 85% of all compliance directives, can also be accessed online through OCIS and individual directives downloaded. Basic instructions for downloading are in the IMIS Communications Manual; call the OCIS Help Desk if you have further questions.
We also want to make available to interested States the text of new OSHA standards pamphlets that have been cleared for printing. (Because of budgetary considerations, OSHA is unable to provide the States with multiple copies; they may reprint these pamphlets or purchase copies, or utilize any copies available through their Regional Office.) We are considering various options for making the standards pamphlets available to the States:
- electronic copy available through OCIS
- IBM compatible 5 1/4" floppy disk
- printing negative
- purchase of bulk quantities of printed pamphlets
Please contact Carol Sanford in the Office of State Programs (523-7115) by February 15 with any comments you may have on these options, including which option you would want to use. Copies of the OSHA standards pamphlets are currently available on IBM compatible 5 1/4" floppy disk by contacting Ms. Sanford.