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OWCP PROCEDURE MANUAL PART 1 -

ADMINISTRATION

LIST OF CHAPTERS

Chapter Subject Date Trans. No.

1-0100 OWCP Directives 01/95 95-03

1-0300 Records Management 08/98 98-01

**** 1-0400 FOIA/PRIVACY 02/95 95-04

**** NOTE: The above link LINKS EXTERNALLY to a separate infobase/reference name PRIVACY. When

you use this link, Folioviews opens the PRIVACY reference while keeping this reference open (in background)

as well. To 'toggle' back and forth between references, click once on 'Window' and choose open infobase. 

Chapter 1-0100 - OWCP Directives

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Paragraph Subject Date Trans. No.

1 Purpose and Scope 01/95 95-03

2 Authority 01/95 95-03

3 Definitions 01/95 95-03

4 Responsibilities 01/95 95-03

5 Style and Format 01/95 95-03

6 Electronic Distribution 01/95 95-03

Exhibits

1 Program Transmittal Package 01/95 95-03

2 Sample Program Memorandum 01/95 95-03

3 Sample Program Bulletin 01/95 95-03

4 Sample Program Circular 01/95 95-03
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5 Directive Clearance Form: OWCP-2 01/95 95-03

6 Sample "Redline Edit 01/95 95-03

7 Sample Exhibit 01/95 95-03

1. Purpose and Scope. This chapter describes the directives system that the Office of

Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) uses. It establishes responsibilities and procedures

for directive preparation and review and provides instructions for directive formatting and

editing. All OWCP personnel who work with directives are subject to its provisions.

2. Authority.

 a. Federal Property Management Regulation (FPMR) 101-11.209-3 (41CFR

101-11.209-3).

 b. Departmental Regulations (DLMS 1-100).

3. Definitions. OWCP uses various types of directives to issue instructions, policy, and

information. These directives may originate in either OWCP or one of the four programs that it

administers (Federal Employees' Compensation, Black Lung, Longshore, or Energy).

a. External Directives. These directives target Congress, organizations outside of OWCP,

or the general public as their audience and include Federal Register rules, notices, annual

reports, and other written instructions.

(1) Annual Reports. There is a Congressionally required annual report for OWCP which

contains information and statistics that cover program operations and administration.

(2) Longshore Industry Notices. The Longshore program issues notices to insurance carriers

and self-insured employers to advise them of procedural, administrative, benefit rate, and

other pertinent changes. They are printed on white letterhead paper.

(3) Division of Planning, Policy, and Standards Notices. These notices concern

rehabilitation matters and inform rehabilitation counselors when procedures, reporting

requirements, or other aspects of the rehabilitation program change. They are printed on

white letterhead paper.

b. Internal Directives. OWCP uses these directives to provide staff with policy guidance,
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procedures and other information.
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(1) Permanent Directives. These include all OWCP standing instructions, policies, forms,

guidelines, and procedures. They contain specific procedural directions or require

continuing action and remain in force until superseded, canceled, or rescinded.

Permanent directives are printed on white paper and may contain either new or revised

material.

(a) Both the OWCP Procedure Manual and the four Division

procedure manuals (Federal Employees' Compensation, Longshore, Black

Lung, and Energy) are made up of permanent directives that establish

policy and procedures. Changes are usually made to an existing manual or

new material is added by issuing a permanent directive known as a

transmittal. Pen-and-ink changes are permissible but only for form

number, reference number, or typographical error corrections. Any other

change requires that the entire page or, if necessary, the entire directive be

reissued as a transmittal. These transmittals will be attached to a yellow

transmittal sheet sequentially numbered from the beginning of each fiscal

year.(see Exhibit 1).

(b) Division Program Memoranda contain case histories, judicial

rationale, or other details related to procedural matters that are

inappropriate for inclusion in the manual. They always clearly refer to the

relevant manual provision(s), are issued on white letterhead and are

self-transmitting (see Exhibit 2).

 (2) Bulletins. Bulletins are directives that require one-time or temporary

action. They typically involve two or more district offices or OWCP divisions

and are effective only until the required action is completed or the described

procedures are incorporated in the manual via a permanent directive. All

Bulletins have an expiration date, are printed on blue paper (body of Bulletin

only: any attachments are printed on white paper), and are discarded when they

expire or when the required action is completed (see Exhibit 3).

(3) Circulars. Circulars are directives that transmit information to program

staff. Circulars are printed on white letterhead and may be discarded after staff is

aware of their contents (see Exhibit 4).

(4) OWCP Memoranda. OWCP memoranda transmit operational guidance to

Regional and Program management.

(5) Other Communications. Other letters or documents may serve as
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directives only if they apply to a single case or incident or are restricted to a

one-time requirement at a single location. All standing instructions and policy

guidance must be transmitted via the types of authorized directives described

above.

4. Responsibilities.

a. Directive Preparation. The Director, Division of Planning, Policy, and Standards, OWCP

is responsible for the preparation of annual reports and OWCP directives. The OWCP

Division Directors are responsible for directive preparation within their respective

jurisdictions. This includes:

(1) Identifying areas where new directives should be developed or existing directives

updated;

(2) Preparing new directives or updating existing ones as required;

(3) Ensuring that all directives support the Agency's mission and goals; 

(4) Ensuring that all directives are consistent with each other, comply with directive

formatting and preparation requirements (see OWCP PM 1-100.6 below);

(5) Maintaining current distribution lists and ensuring that each directive cover sheet

indicates the correct distribution list at the bottom of the page; and
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(6) Maintaining indexes and checklists required for Freedom of Information Act,

Employees' Compensation Appeals Board, and general reference.

b. Clearance. Officials responsible for preparing OWCP directives are also responsible for

obtaining all required clearances and signatures.

(1) Initial Clearance. Drafts of directives are circulated for the purpose of

soliciting comments/concurrences from all relevant offices, including regional

and/or program district offices and any differences that may arise are reconciled.

(2) Final Clearance. 

(a) Directives are coordinated and cleared with other elements of

OWCP, including Regional Offices, when such directives involve

procedures that may impact on their operations. Clearance signatures are

obtained on Form OWCP-2 (see Exhibit 5); and 

(b) Directives are circulated to other offices (Office of the Solicitor,

Office of the Secretary, ESA, OALJ, etc.) for final clearance when the

concurrence of these offices is required. Clearance signatures are

obtained on Form OWCP-2.

c. Signature. Directives are signed by the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Workers'

Compensation (OWCP directives) or the appropriate program head.

d. Release. Directives must be released after signature to OWCP for review and

publication. The issuing authority will maintain a copy of the directive as well as all

comments, associated materials, and the original OWCP-2 clearance sheet. A folder

containing the following must be forwarded to the Branch of Planning, Policy, and

Review, Division of Planning, Policy, and Standards:

(1) A camera-ready copy of the entire directive, consisting of cover sheet with

distribution list indicated, text, exhibits, and any attachments, signed by the

appropriate authority; 
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(2) A computer disc containing the text of the entire directive, exhibits, and

any attachments;

(3) The name of a contact person who can answer any questions regarding the

directive;

(4) A copy of the clearance Form OWCP-2; and

(5) Any special printing instructions, if appropriate.

5. Style and Format. Manual directive style and format shall follow that illustrated in this

Chapter.

a. Margins. Margins are as follows: .42" at the top, .6" at the bottom;

1" at both the left and right.

b. Font. Use the "Courier 10 Pitch" for all manual directives.

c. Editing Rules. There are general rules that apply to the preparation

of Procedure Manual directives.

(1) In order to ensure correct spacing when preparing a directive, set "tab and

indent" function at .5".

(2) Do not right justify.

(3) Number paragraphs and sub-paragraphs as follows:

 1.

 a.

 (1)

 (a)

 (i) 

(4) Always indent at a setting of one-half inch between the number or letter

paragraph designator and the heading or text of the paragraph.

(5) Leave approximately one inch at the bottom of each page to allow for

revisions (this means stopping at about line 8.5).
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(6) Spell out all numbers less than 10.
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(7) Underline headings to the third sub-paragraph level, that is, to the (1)

level, only.

(8) Spell out frequently used terms and titles the first time they appear,

followed by the abbreviation within parentheses; use the abbreviation thereafter.

(11) Use the redline symbol"|" in the left margin to mark new text added to

manual chapter pages (redline is a WordPerfect feature available on the personal

computer; see Exhibit 6).

e. Exhibits. Illustrations, graphics, reprints, charts, forms and other attachments will

be appended as exhibits and arranged numerically at the end of the chapter to which they

pertain. Each exhibit will be numbered sequentially (Exhibit 1, Exhibit 2, Exhibit 3);

multi-page exhibits will also carry the legend "page ___ of ___" centered at the bottom of

each page. Place the expected directive release date in the lower left corner of each

exhibit (see Exhibit 7).

6. Electronic Distribution. DPPS is responsible for distributing new OWCP and FECA

directives to National and district office staff in Folioviews format which enables on-line access

and word-search capability. Black Lung distributes directives in Personal Librarian format to

Black Lung district offices.

Exhibit 1: Page 1 of 3 

PROGRAM TRANSMITTAL PACKAGE

COVER SHEET, TABLE OF CONTENTS

AND SAMPLE PAGE

RELEASE -REVISION TO CHAPTERS 3-201, STAFF NURSE SERVICES, AND 3-500,

MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS, PART 3 - MEDICAL, FEDERAL (FECA) PROCEDURE

MANUAL

FECA TRANSMITTAL NO. 94-34 

EXPLANATION OF MATERIAL TRANSMITTED:

Paragraph 7c(4) of PM 3-201 has been clarified to state that the nurse may recommend claimants
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who will be able to work four hours a day in the future, as well as those who can do so currently,

for vocational rehabilitation services.

In PM 3-500, the second iteration of paragraph 4b has been renumbered, as have the subsequent

sections of the paragraph.

THOMAS M. MARKEY

Director for

Federal Employees' Compensation

_________________________________________________________________

FILING INSTRUCTIONS:

Remove Old Pages Insert New Pages

Part Chapter Pages Part Chapter Pages

3 3-201 i, 11-12 3 3-201 i, 11-12

3 3-500 i, 7-10 3 3-500 i, 7-10

File this transmittal sheet behind the checklist in front of the Federal (FECA) Procedure Manual.

Distribution: List No. 1

(Claims Examiners, All Supervisors, District Medical Advisers, Systems

Managers, Technical Assistants, Rehabilitation Specialists, and Staff Nurses)

Exhibit 1: Page 2 of 3

PROGRAM TRANSMITTAL PACKAGE 

COVER SHEET, TABLE OF CONTENTS 

AND SAMPLE PAGE

OWCP PROCEDURE MANUAL Chapter

1-100 

Part 1 - Administration OWCP

Directives

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 Paragraph and Subject Page Date Trans. No.
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 Chapter 1-100 - OWCP Directives

 1 Purpose and Scope . . . . . . . . 1 1/95 95-03

 2 Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1/95 95-03

 3 Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1/95 95-03

 4 Responsibilities. . . . . . . . . . . . 3 1/95 95-03

 5 Style and Format . . . . . . . . . . 5 1/95 95-03

 6 Electronic Distribution . . . . . . 6 1/95 95-03

 Exhibits

 1 Program Transmittal Package 1/95 95-03

 2 Sample Program Memorandum 1/95 95-03

 3 Sample Program Bulletin . . . . 1/95 95-03

 4 Sample Program Circular . . . . 1/95 95-03

 5 Directive Clearance Form: 

 OWCP-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1/95 95-03

 6 Sample "Redline Edit". . . . . . . .1/95 95-03

 7 Sample Exhibit . . . . . . . . . . . .1/95 95-03

OWCP Tr. No. 95 - 3

February 1995

Exhibit 1: Page 3 of 3 

PROGRAM TRANSMITTAL PACKAGE

COVER SHEET, TABLE OF CONTENTS

AND SAMPLE PAGE

FEDERAL (FECA) PROCEDURE MANUAL Chapter

2-600

Part 2 - Claims Case

Management

_________________________________________________________________

1. Purpose and Scope. The Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) provides for

payment of medical expenses, monetary compensation, and associated benefits for work-related

injuries and illnesses. The Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) is responsible

for ensuring that all proper benefits are paid and that benefits do not continue after the effects of

the work-related condition have ceased.

To fulfill these obligations, the OWCP is committed to providing benefits promptly and assisting
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claimants in returning to either full or light duty as soon as possible. Active case management is

essential in returning claimants to duty. In this process, the Claims Examiner (CE)

systematically assesses the nature and extent of injury-related disability, then intervenes in the

course of the disability, either directly or by referring the case for nurse or rehabilitation

services. 

This chapter outlines the major steps in prompting claimants to return to work. The procedures

described are intended to address only adjudicated claims. Except for catastrophic injuries, they

do not apply to cases where only continuation of pay (COP) is at issue (procedures for such

cases are found in PM Chapter 2-807).

2. Policy. The purpose of this paragraph is to describe the projected outcomes of claims and

the time frames for accomplishing them.

a. Outcomes. The most likely outcomes are as follows (all but the first assume disabling

injury-related residuals):

(1) Complete recovery from employment-related disability without wage loss;

(2) Return to modified work with the previous employer and with no loss of

wages;

(3) Return to work with a new employer and with no loss of wages, or with the

previous or new employer and with a loss of wage-earning capacity (LWEC);

(4) Determination of LWEC without actual job placement, after reasonable

assistance to return the claimant to work and notifications of rights and

responsibilities;

FECA Tr. No. 95-02

October 1994

Exhibit 2: SAMPLE PROGRAM MEMORANDUM

PROGRAM MEMORANDUM NO. 281

SUBJECT: 5 U.S.C. 8114

 Extra Duty Pay for Customs Inspectors

NOTE: This issuance supplements FECA Program Memorandum No. 278, which should

be annotated

 accordingly.
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In 1989, it was determined that Customs Inspectors were eligible for extra duty pay received

between the hours of 5:00 PM and 8:00 AM and for all work performed on Sundays and

holidays. However, the section of the law addressing extra pay for these employees [19 U.S.C.

267(a)] was recently amended by Public Law 103-66 to state unequivocally that such additional

pay should be considered overtime pay. Therefore, in cases involving Customs Inspectors

injured after January 1, 1994, this increment of pay can no longer be included in the pay rate.

District offices with specific cases requiring adjustment on the basis of this change have been

notified of the cases involved.

THOMAS M. MARKEY

Director for

Federal Employees' Compensation

Dated:

Distribution: List No. 1

(Claims Examiners, All Supervisors, District Medical Advisors, Systems

Managers, Technical Assistants, Rehabilitation Specialists, and Staff Nurses)

Exhibit 3: SAMPLE PROGRAM BULLETIN

FECA BULLETIN NO. 95-4

Issue Date: November 14, 1994 

_________________________________________________________________ 

Expiration Date: January 6, 1996 

_________________________________________________________________

Subject: ADP - Automated Compensation Payment System (ACPS) and Debt Management

System (DMS) Report Schedule - 1995.

Purpose: To provide the 1995 schedule for processing the periodic disability and death payrolls

under the ACPS and the DMS weekly and monthly reports for calendar year 1995.

Applicability: Appropriate District Office and National Office personnel.

Action: All appropriate personnel are to be made aware of the periods and "cut-off" dates for the
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ACPS periodic disability, death, and daily payrolls. The bi-weekly pay periods for health and

life insurance purposes are also shown.

The production schedule for the DMS periodic reports is made available for the appropriate

personnel.

Disposition: This bulletin should be retained in front of Part 5, Benefit Payments, Federal

(FECA) Procedure Manual, until the indicated expiration date.

THOMAS M. MARKEY

Director for

Federal Employees' Compensation

Attachments

Distribution: List No. 2

(Claims Examiners, All Supervisors, Systems Managers, District Medical

Advisors, Technical Advisors, Rehabilitation Specialists, and Fiscal and Bill Pay

Personnel)

Exhibit 4: SAMPLE PROGRAM CIRCULAR

FECA CIRCULAR NO. 95-2

SUBJECT: Reduction of Copies of Printed Issuances

By now, all claims personnel within DFEC should have been trained to use Folioviews, the

program's on-line reference system. Therefore, the National Office is reducing the number of

printed copies of FECA bulletins, circulars, and transmittals directed to claims personnel. This

change also affects District Medical Advisers, Staff Nurses, Rehabilitation Specialists, Technical

Assistants, and Systems Managers, since they receive the same issuances as claims staff. It

applies to newly hired employees as well as current staff.

Effective immediately, each district office will receive just one copy of each issuance, which

should be added to the Procedure Manual in the office's library. This copy can be used for

reproducing printed pages where necessary and for referring to the exhibits which cannot be

placed in Folioviews at this time. (We are gradually adding these exhibits, but the program does
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not allow for addition of tables and graphics, and copies of printed form letters will need to be

scanned into the text.) 

FECA bulletins, circulars and transmittals published in FY 95 are being indexed and entered into

a Folioviews infobase called "BCT-FY95". (For transmittals, what now appears on the yellow

cover sheet will be included in the infobase; the actual changes will be added to the chapters

themselves.) Users will be advised twice a month by change controls of the newly released

issuances. 

Employing agency personnel, Federal unions, and others who routinely receive program

issuances will continue to receive printed copies.

THOMAS M. MARKEY

Director for

Federal Employees' Compensation

Distribution: List No. 1

(Claims Examiners, All Supervisors, District Medical Advisers, Systems

Managers, Technical Assistants, Rehabilitation Specialists, and Staff Nurses)

OWCP Tr. No. 95 - 03

February 1995 Exhibit 4

Exhibit 5: DIRECTIVE CLEARANCE FORM: OWCP - 2

 Issuance Clearance Request

 1. Type of Directive 2. Effective Date 3. Program\Division

 4. Subject

 5. Remarks

 6. Distribution List No:

 7.
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CONCURRENCES

 Name/Branch Initials Date Remarks

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

 8. Special Printing Instructions:

 9. Signature of Person Initiating Directive 10. Date

Nov. 1991 Form

OWCP-2

OWCP Tr. No. 95-03 Rev. February

1995 

 Exhibit 5

Exhibit 6: "REDLINE EDIT"

1. Purpose and Scope. This chapter outlines the procedures for processing third party

cases under the FECA. It covers the responsibility of various DO personnel in

identifying and handling cases involving third party actions; the interrelationship

between DO personnel and personnel of the Office of the Solicitor concerning these

actions; and the handling of cases in which a Federal tort suit or other | litigation has

been filed. Consideration of third party actions arises in the claims adjudication process. 

| Refer particularly to FECA PM 2-700.13, 2-800.3, and 2-806.6.

 2. Authority.

a. 5 U.S.C. 8131 provides that if an injury or death for which compensation is

payable under the FECA is caused under circumstances creating a legal liability

on a person or persons other than the United States (a third party) to pay damages,

the OWCP may require the FECA beneficiary to:
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(1) Assign to the United States any right of action the beneficiary may

have to enforce the liability, or any right the beneficiary may have to share

in money or other property received in satisfaction of the liability; or to

(2) Prosecute the action in the beneficiary's own name.

b. 5 U.S.C. 8132 outlines the requirements and procedures or adjusting any

compensation benefits that have been paid, or that may be payable, after recovery

from a third person.

c. 20 C.F.R. 10.500-10.507 also covers cases involving the liability of a third

party.

 3. Responsibilities.

a. The Regional Directors. With the exception of certain USPS cases (see

paragraph 29 below), Regional Directors (RDs) are responsible for the processing

of third party cases under | 5 U.S.C. 8131 and 8132. This responsibility has

been delegated, through the | District Director and Assistant District

Director, to certain claims examiners. The RD shall delegate this responsibility to

a minimum of two but not more than four claims examiners. These persons are

known as designated claims examiners (DCE).

OWCP Tr. No. 95 - 03

February 1995 Exhibit 6

Exhibit 7: SAMPLE EXHIBIT

DUAL BENEFITS

RESTRICTIONS PERTAINING TO CONCURRENT PAYMENT OF

FEDERAL EMPLOYEES' COMPENSATION BENEFITS

WITH BENEFITS PAYABLE BY OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES

I. Claimants must elect between Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) benefits

and the following benefits payable by other Federal agencies:

A. Civil Service Retirement System Act (CSRS) annuity benefits provided by the

Office of Personnel Management (OPM), either regular or disability. The

election is not irrevocable, but if a lump-sum payment has been made by OPM as

part of an alternative annuity, this must be repaid in full either directly by the
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employee, or by OWCP from FECA benefits due, before the employee may begin

receiving FECA benefits. If OPM benefits are elected, the employee is still

entitled to payment of medical expenses for treatment of the accepted

condition(s). If FECA benefits are elected, the employee may receive

concurrently any benefits payable from the Thrift Savings Fund. 

B. Federal Employees' Retirement System Act (FERS) annuity benefits provide

by OPM, either regular or disability. The election is not irrevocable. If benefits

provided by FERS are elected, the employee is still entitled to payment of

medical expenses for treatment of the accepted conditions(s). If FECA benefits

are elected, the employee may receive concurrently any benefits payable from the

Thrift Savings Fund.

C. CSRS Act survivor benefits provided by OPM. When FECA benefits are

elected, the beneficiaries may be paid by OPM the amount of the employee's

contribution to the retirement fund in one lump sum. OWCP does not consider

the election irrevocable. However, OPM considers an informed election of death

benefits provided by OWCP to be irrevocable. If FECA benefits are elected, the

beneficiary may receive concurrently any benefits payable from the Thrift

Savings Fund.

D. FERS Act survivor benefits provided by OPM. OWCP does not consider the

election irrevocable. However, OPM considers an informed election of death

benefits provided by OWCP to be irrevocable. If OPM benefits have been paid,

the lump sum payment provided as part of the FERS Act death benefit must be

repaid in full either directly by the beneficiary, or by OWCP from FECA benefits

due, before the beneficiary may begin receiving FECA benefits. If FECA

benefits are elected, the beneficiary may receive concurrently any benefits

payable from the Thrift Savings Fund.

Chapter 1-0300 - Records Management

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Paragraph and Subject Date Trans. No.

Table of Contents 09/98 98-01

1 Purpose and Scope 09/98 98-01
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2 Overview 09/98 98-01

3 Record Types 09/98 98-01

4 Record Maintenance Responsibility 09/98 98-01

5 Preparing Records for Disposal 09/98 98-01

6 Record Disposal 09/98 98-01

7 Record Disposal Schedule 09/98 98-01

1. Purpose and Scope. This chapter describes the Office of Workers’ Compensation

Programs’ (OWCP) records management plan, including its disposal schedule for written and

automated data records generated by the Office of the Director and the four compensation

programs it administers: Federal Employees’ Compensation (FEC), Black Lung (BL), Energy,

and Longshore (LS). There is also information regarding record maintenance and procedures for

preparing records for disposal at the appropriate time.

2. Overview. OWCP and the three programs it administers create or acquire and maintain a

variety of documents, records and files in both paper and electronic format. Once these records

and files are no longer active or needed for daily operations or their retention period has expired,

they must be archived or destroyed. Although the development of automated data bases has

greatly enhanced the ability to store massive amounts of information, not all records lend

themselves to electronic storage formats. In addition, space considerations dictate the need for a

paper records disposal strategy over time. OWCP, DFEC, BL, Energy, and LS must still transfer

some records to the Federal Records Center for archiving and destroy other records at the

appropriate time.

3. Record Types. All records can be divided into three broad categories. These categories

provide a standard record classification framework for OWCP and the three compensation

programs. Records are classified as claims-related, administrative, or informational. The latter

category would include all management, annual, or other reports that provide information on

operations and performance to program personnel and both public and private sector customers.

They include ad hoc as well as periodically required reports and may be in the form of automated

data runs for management information purposes.

a. Claims-Related Records. This record group includes all written, recorded,

photographic, or electronic documents associated directly with claims for benefits. These

may be applications for benefits, employment evidence, dependency status evidence,

x-rays, medical reports, medical test reports, correspondence associated with the claim,
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Congressional inquiries, attorney correspondence, ADP claim information, tracking and

action status records, medical bills, or other relevant records.

b. Administrative Records. This record group includes personnel records, budget

documents, operational planning documents, administrative correspondence, and other

records relevant to program administrative functions.

c. Informational Records. This record group includes those written and automated

reports that provide program performance and other information to management and, as

requested or required, to other entities within both the government and private sectors,

such as the OWCP Annual Report. It also includes OWCP and program Bulletins,

Manuals, Transmittals, Circulars, training publications, and other procedural and

informational documents, as well as audit reports from the OIG and GAO.

4. Record Maintenance Responsibility. Record maintenance responsibility for all three

types of records generally lies with the unit or office physically holding the records. An

exception to this rule can occur in the case of automated records.

Hard Copy Records. Mail and file unit supervisors, branch chiefs, or directors in

individual offices are responsible for maintaining the hard copy claims records they hold

on-site. Each unit supervisor is responsible for the administrative or informational

records, including computer-generated reports, under their control.

Automated Records. Office directors, through claims and data entry personnel, are

responsible for inputting the information that keeps automated records current in all four

OWCP programs. However, overall responsibility for controlling and maintaining FEC

automated records lies with the automated system manager.

The automated system manager also has overall responsibility for controlling and

maintaining LS automated case management records resident on the Sequent System in

those LS offices collocated with FEC offices. In non-collocated LS offices the

responsibility rests with the district director. Overall responsibility for LS Special Fund

automated records rests with designated program staff and the contractor who maintains

and runs the Special Fund automated system.

The BL program contracts its automated data processing operations to a private sector

vendor. All BL program automated records reside on a mainframe at the contractor

location. Contractor data administration staff are responsible for overall record

maintenance and control.
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5. Preparing Records for Disposal. Once a record is no longer necessary for program

operations and its retention period has expired, it must be prepared for archival deposit or

destruction. Within each of the three programs OWCP administers, responsibility for this action

rests with the office having jurisdiction over that record.

a. Preparing Records for Transfer to the Federal Records Centers (FRC)

administered by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).

Transferring inactive records to the FRC saves OWCP and its programs both storage

space and storage costs. The Guide to Washington National Records Center Services

1995 details the way in which government agencies should prepare records for transfer

and governs preparation activities in the Washington, D.C. OWCP, FEC, BL, Energy,

and LS offices. Regional and District office preparation activities are governed by

procedures from their respective local Federal Records Centers. These guides are

available for reference in the appropriate OWCP and program offices.

b. Preparing Records for Destruction. Some records are destroyed a fixed number of

years after they are transferred to the FRC in accordance with approved records retention

schedules and FRC procedures for record destruction. Others are destroyed at the

appropriate time by OWCP or the program office having jurisdiction. They may be

recycled, shredded, burned, or, in the case of electronic records or e-mail, permanently

erased.

(1) Non-Sensitive Records. These records do not contain claims-related,

personnel, accounting, or other information protected by the Privacy Act and do

not require special preparation measures. They can be recycled or thrown out by

the office having jurisdiction. Such documents would include informational and

administrative records like procedure manual documents, budget and program

planning documents, MIS reports, annual reports, OIG/GAO audits and

administrative correspondence.

(2) Sensitive Records. These records contain claims-related, personnel,

accounting, or other information protected by the Privacy Act and must be either

shredded, burned or, in the case of electronic records, permanently erased. In

preparation, such records must undergo a thorough review process by designated

office personnel and paper records must be removed from file folders or other

document holders. Paper records transferred to the Division of Support Services

for destruction must be boxed and the boxes clearly labeled with the words “For

Shredding” or “For Burning” as appropriate. These documents would include all

claims-related records, medical bills, and administrative personnel records.

Support Services staff will pick up the boxes of records from the program office

or OWCP upon request.
OWCP-PT1 Last Change: FV089 Printed: 09/25/2007 Page: 22

6. Record Disposal. Both paper and electronic records are disposed of in accordance with a

NARA approved records disposal schedule that OWCP has developed. As already noted, those

records ready for destruction (based on the schedule) with sensitive information regarding

claimants or their conditions, along with other information not suitable for public consumption,

must be shredded, burned, or permanently erased. Some administrative records and those records

containing information that is already public can be recycled. Other scheduled records are

transferred to the FRC for archiving and eventual destruction or permanent retention.

7. Record Disposal Schedule. OWCP, in concert with the three programs it administers, has

developed and obtained approval from the National Archives and Records Administration for

records disposal schedules. These schedules, known as Records Disposition Authority, establish

the time frames for records retention. The schedules specify when various record series are to be

either destroyed or transferred to the Federal Records Centers. They are kept in the office of the

OWCP Administrative Officer and periodically reviewed and updated as necessary by program

staff. These schedules, however, do not necessarily supersede one another and this fact should

be kept in mind when using them. In some instances, a more recent schedule will only impact

one or two items on a prior schedule, and information regarding any other item must be obtained

from that or another prior schedule.