WAC 296-62-05320
Deny a written request for disclosure of a
specific chemical identity in the manner specified in this rule. If you choose to deny a written request for disclosure of
information about a specific chemical identity, your denial must:
• Be given to the health professional, employee, or
designated representative within thirty days of the request.
• Be in writing.
• Include evidence to support the claim that the specific
chemical identity is a trade secret.
• State the specific reasons why the request is being
denied.
• Explain in detail how alternative information may satisfy
the specific medical or occupational health need without
revealing the specific chemical identity.
• If a request for information is denied under the
nonemergency section of this rule, the request may then be
referred with the written denial of the request to WISHA for
consideration.
• When a denial is referred to WISHA, WISHA must consider
the evidence to determine if the:
• Chemical manufacturer, importer or employer has supported
the claim that the specific chemical identity is a trade secret.
• Health professional, employee, or designated
representative has supported the claim that there is a medical or
occupational health need for the information.
• Health professional, employee, or designated
representative has demonstrated adequate means to protect the
confidentiality of the trade secret information.
Potential outcomes of denying a written request for trade
secret information:
• If WISHA determines that the specific chemical identity
requested under the nonemergency situations section is not a bona
fide trade secret, or that it is a trade secret but the
requesting health professional, employee, or designated
representative has a legitimate medical or occupational health
need for the information, has executed a written confidentiality
agreement, and has shown adequate means for complying with the
terms of such agreement, the chemical manufacturer, importer or
employer will be subject to a citation by WISHA.
• If a chemical manufacturer, importer or employer
demonstrates to WISHA that the execution of a confidentiality
agreement would not provide sufficient protection against
potential harm from the unauthorized disclosure of a trade secret
specific chemical identity, the director may issue such orders or
impose such additional limitations or conditions upon the
disclosure of the requested chemical information as may be
appropriate to assure that the occupational health needs are met
without an undue risk of harm to the chemical manufacturer,
importer or employer.
• In spite of the existence of a trade secret claim, a
chemical manufacturer, importer or employer must upon request,
disclose to the director or his representative, any information
that this section requires the chemical manufacturer, importer or
employer to make available. Where there is a trade secret claim,
such claim shall be made no later than at the time the
information is provided to the director so that suitable
determinations of trade secret status can be made and the
necessary protections can be implemented.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 49.17.010, [49.17].040, and[49.17].050
. 01-11-038, § 296-62-05320, filed 5/9/01, effective
9/1/01.]