(a) All reports, records, or other documents filed with the OWCP
with respect to claims are the records of the OWCP. The Director or his
or her designee shall be the official custodian of those records
maintained by the OWCP at its national office. The District Director
shall be the official custodian of those records maintained at a
district office.
(b) The official custodian of any record sought to be inspected
shall permit or deny inspection in accordance with the Department of
Labor's regulations pertaining thereto (see 29 CFR Part 70). The
original record in any such case shall not be removed from the Office
of the custodian for such inspection. The custodian may, in his or her
discretion, deny inspection of any record or part thereof which is of a
character specified in 5 U.S.C. 552(b) if in his or her opinion such
inspection may result in damage, harm, or harassment to the beneficiary
or to any other person. For special provisions concerning release of
information regarding injured employees undergoing vocational
rehabilitation, see Sec. 702.508 of this chapter.
(c) Any person may request copies of records he or she has been
permitted to inspect. Such requests shall be addressed to the official
custodian of the records sought to be copied. The official custodian
shall provide the requested copies under the terms and conditions
specified in the Department of Labor's regulations relating thereto
(see 29 CFR Part 70).
(d) Any party to a claim (Sec. 725.360) or his or her duly
authorized representative shall be permitted upon request to inspect
the file which has been compiled in connection with such claim. Any
party to a claim or representative of such party shall upon request be
provided with a copy of any or all material contained in such claim
file. A request for information by a party or representative made under
this paragraph shall be answered within a reasonable time after receipt
by the Office. Internal documents prepared by the district director
which do not constitute evidence of a fact which must be established in
connection with a claim shall not be routinely provided or presented
for inspection in accordance with a request made under this paragraph.
