At the commencement of a physical inspection, the employer may identify areas in the place of employment which contain or which might reveal a trade secret. If the investigator has no reason to question such identification, information obtained in these areas, including all negatives and prints of photographs, and environmental samples, shall be labeled "Confidential - Trade Secret" and shall not be disclosed except in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 182.668.
Upon the request of an employer, a representative authorized by employees in an area containing trade secrets shall be an employee in that area or an employee authorized by the employer to enter that area. Where there is no representative authorized by employees working in that area or an employee authorized by the employer to enter the area, the investigator shall consult with a reasonable number of employees working in that area concerning matters of safety and health.
Minn. R. agency 151, ch. 5210, INVESTIGATIONS; CITATIONS; NOTICE OF CONTEST; MODIFYING ABATEMENT DATE; ABATEMENT VERIFICATION, pt. 5210.0510
Statutory Authority: MS s 182.657