May written plans be kept electronically, and not on paper?

Computers are much more common in the workplace now than when most OSHA standards were written. OSHA has stated that it agrees that in many instances electronic access to written plans could be beneficial. Therefore, OSHA would allow a written plan to be in either paper or electronic format, as long as the plan meets all other requirements of the standard in question. Where the standard requires that the written plan must be made “available” to employees, the employer must ensure that employees know how to access the document and that there are no barriers to employee access.

Employers must also be able to provide required written plans immediately upon the request of an OSHA compliance officer. It is our understanding that if you print out the plan from your computer and give it to the officer, that should be acceptable.