Abstract
Occupational protection records have traditionally been generated by field and laboratory personnel, assembled into files in the safety office, and eventually stored in a warehouse or other facility. Until recently, these records have been primarily paper copies, often hand written. Sometimes the paper is microfilmed for storage. However, electronic records are beginning to replace these traditional methods. The purpose of this article is to provide guidance for making the transition to automated recordkeeping and retrieval, using modern computer equipment. This article describes the types of records most readily converted to electronic recordkeeping and a methodology for implementing an automated record system. The process of conversion is based on a requirements analysis to assess program needs and a high level of user involvement during the development. The importance of indexing the hard-copy records for easy retrieval is also discussed. The concept of linkage between related records and its importance relative to reporting, research, and litigation will be addressed.