Applications for Variances, Limitations, Variations, Tolerances, Exemptions and Other Relief

29 C.F.R. Part ..., Subpart B
in effectEffective: 2024-07-01

29 C.F.R. § 1905.10 Variances and other relief under section 6(b)(6)(A).

(a) Application for variance. Any employer, or class of employers, desiring a variance from a standard, or portion thereof, authorized by section 6(b)(6)(A) of the Act may file a written application containing the information specified in paragraph (b) of this section with the Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health, U.S. Department of Labor, Washington, DC 20210. (b) Contents. An application filed pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section shall include: (1) The name and address of the applicant; (2) The address of the place or places of employment involved; (3) A specification of the standard or portion thereof from which the applicant seeks a variance; (4) A representation by the applicant, supported by representations from qualified persons having first-hand knowledge of the facts represented, that he is unable to comply with the standard or portion thereof by its effective date and a detailed statement of the reasons therefor; (5) A statement of the steps the applicant has taken and will take, with specific dates where appropriate, to protect employees against the hazard covered by the standard; (6) A statement of when the applicant expects to be able to comply with the standard and of what steps he has taken and will take, with specific dates where appropriate, to come into compliance with the standard; (7) A statement of the facts the applicant would show to establish that (i) The applicant is unable to comply with a standard by its effective date because of unavailability of professional or technical personnel or of materials and equipment needed to come into compliance with the standard or because necessary construction or alteration of facilities cannot be completed by the effective date; (ii) He is taking all available steps to safeguard his employees against the hazards covered by the standard; and (iii) He has an effective program for coming into compliance with the standard as quickly as practicable; (8) Any request for a hearing, as provided in this part; (9) A statement that the applicant has informed his affected employees of the application by giving a copy thereof to their authorized representative, posting a statement, giving a summary of the application and specifying where a copy may be examined, at the place or places where notices to employees are normally posted, and by other appropriate means; and (10) A description of how affected employees have been informed of the application and of their right to petition the Assistant Secretary for a hearing. (11) Where the requested variance would be applicable to employment or places of employment in more than one State, including at least one State with a State plan approved under section 18 of the Act, and involves a standard, or portion thereof, identical to a State standard effective under such plan: (i) A side-by-side comparison of the Federal standard, or portion thereof, involved with the State standard, or portion thereof, identical in substance and requirements; (ii) A certification that the employer or employers have not filed for such variance on the same material facts for the same employment or place of employment with any State authority having jurisdiction under an approval plan over any employment or place of employment covered in the application; and (iii) A statement as to whether, with an identification of, any citations for violations of the State standard, or portion thereof, involved have been issued to the employer or employers by any of the State authorities enforcing the standard under a plan, and are pending. (c) Interim order—(1) Application. An application may also be made for an interim order to be effective until a decision is rendered on the application for the variance filed previously or concurrently. An application for an interim order may include statements of fact and arguments as to why the order should be granted. The Assistant Secretary may rule ex parte upon the application. (2) Notice of denial of application. If an application filed pursuant to paragraph (c)(1) of this section is denied, the applicant shall be given prompt notice of the denial, which shall include, or be accompanied by, a brief statement of the grounds therefor. (3) Notice of the grant of an interim order. If an interim order is granted, a copy of the order shall be served upon the applicant for the order and other parties and the terms of the order shall be published in the Federal Register. It shall be a condition of the order that the affected employer shall give notice thereof to affected employees by the same means to be used to inform them of an application for a variance.

29 C.F.R. § 1905.11 Variances and other relief under section 6(d).

(a) Application for variance. Any employer, or class of employers, desiring a variance authorized by section 6(d) of the Act may file a written application containing the information specified in paragraph (b) of this section, with the Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health, U.S. Department of Labor, Washington, DC 20210. (b) Contents. An application filed pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section shall include: (1) The name and address of the applicant; (2) The address of the place or places of employment involved; (3) A description of the conditions, practices, means, methods, operations, or processes used or proposed to be used by the applicant: (4) A statement showing how the conditions, practices, means, methods, operations, or processes used or proposed to be used would provide employment and places of employment to employees which are as safe and healthful as those required by the standard from which a variance is sought: (5) A certification that the applicant has informed his employees of the application by (i) Giving a copy thereof to their authorized representative; (ii) Posting a statement giving a summary of the application and specifying where a copy may be examined, at the place or places where notices to employees are normally posted (or in lieu of such summary, the posting of the application itself); and (iii) By other appropriate means; (6) Any request for a hearing, as provided in this part; and (7) A description of how employees have been informed of the application and of their right to petition the Assistant Secretary for a hearing. (8) Where the requested variance would be applicable to employment or places of employment in more than one State, including at least one State with a State plan approved under section 18 of the Act, and involves a standard, or portion thereof, identical to a State standard effective under such plan: (i) A side-by-side comparison of the Federal standard, or portion thereof, involved with the State standard, or portion thereof, identical in substance and requirements; (ii) A certification that the employer or employers have not filed for such variance on the same material facts for the same employment or place of employment with any State authority having jurisdiction under an approved plan over any employment or place of employment covered in the application; and (iii) A statement as to whether, with an identification of, any citations for violations of the State standard, or portion thereof, involved have been issued to the employer or employers by any of the State authorities enforcing the standard under a plan, and are pending. (c) Interim order—(1) Application. An application may also be made for an interim order to be effective until a decision is rendered on the application for the variance filed previously or concurrently. An application for an interim order may include statements of fact and arguments as to why the order should be granted. The Assistant Secretary may rule ex parte upon the application. (2) Notice of denial of application. If an application filed pursuant to paragraph (c)(1) of this section is denied, the applicant shall be given prompt notice of the denial, which shall include, or be accompanied by; a brief statement of the grounds therefor. (3) Notice of the grant of an interim order. If an interim order is granted, a copy of the order shall be served upon the applicant for the order and other parties, and the terms of the order shall be published in the Federal Register. It shall be a condition of the order that the affected employer shall give notice thereof to affected employees by the same means to be used to inform them of an application for a variance.

29 C.F.R. § 1905.12 Limitations, variations, tolerances, or exemptions under section 16.

(a) Application. Any person, or class of persons, desiring a limitation, variation, tolerance, or exemption authorized by section 16 of the Act may file an application containing the information specified in paragraph (b) of this section, with the Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health, U.S. Department of Labor, Washington, DC 20210. (b) Contents. An application filed pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section shall include: (1) The name and address of the applicant; (2) The address of the place or places of employment involved; (3) A specification of the provision of the Act to or from which the applicant seeks a limitation, variation, tolerance, or exemption; (4) A representation showing that the limitation, variation, tolerance, or exemption sought is necessary and proper to avoid serious impairment of the national defense; (5) Any request for a hearing, as provided in this part; and (6) A description of how employees have been informed of the application and of their right to petition the Assistant Secretary for a hearing. (c) Interim order—(1) Application. An application may also be made for an interim order to be effective until a decision is rendered on the application for the limitation, variation, tolerance, or exemption filed previously or concurrently. An application for an interim order may include statements of fact and arguments as to why the order should be granted. The Assistant Secretary may rule ex parte upon the application. (2) Notice of denial of application. If an application filed pursuant to paragraph (c)(1) of this section is denied, the applicant shall be given prompt notice of the denial, which shall include, or be accompanied, by a brief statement of the grounds therefor. (3) Notice of the grant of an interim order. If an interim order is granted, a copy of the order shall be served upon the applicant for the order and other parties, and the terms of the order shall be published in the Federal Register. It shall be a condition of the order that the affected employer shall give notice thereof to affected employees by the same means to be used to inform them of an application for a variance.

29 C.F.R. § 1905.13 Modification, revocation, and renewal of rules or orders.

(a) Modification or revocation. (1) An affected employer or an affected employee may apply in writing to the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health for a modification or revocation of a rule or order issued under section 6(b) (6) (A), 6(d), or 16 of the Act. The application shall contain: (i) The name and address of the applicant; (ii) A description of the relief which is sought; (iii) A statement setting forth with particularity the grounds for relief; (iv) If the applicant is an employer, a certification that the applicant has informed his affected employees of the application by: (a) Giving a copy thereof to their authorized representative; (b) Posting at the place or places where notices to employees are normally posted, a statement giving a summary of the application and specifying where a copy of the full application may be examined (or, in lieu of the summary, posting the application itself); and (c) Other appropriate means. (v) If the applicant is an affected employee, a certification that a copy of the application has been furnished to the employer; and (vi) Any request for a hearing, as provided in this part. (2) The Assistant Secretary may on his own motion proceed to modify or revoke a rule or order issued under section 6(b) (6) (A), 6(d), or 16 of the Act. In such event, the Assistant Secretary shall cause to be published in the Federal Register a notice of his intention, affording interested persons an opportunity to submit written data, views, or arguments regarding the proposal and informing the affected employer and employees of their right to request a hearing, and shall take such other action as may be appropriate to give actual notice to affected employees. Any request for a hearing shall include a short and plain statement of: (i) How the proposed modification or revocation would affect the requesting party; and (ii) What the requesting party would seek to show on the subjects or issues involved. (b) Renewal. Any final rule or order issued under section 6(b) (6) (A) or 16 of the Act may be renewed or extended as permitted by the applicable section and in the manner prescribed for its issuance. (c) Multi-state variances. Where a Federal variance has been granted with multi-state applicability, including applicability in a State operating under a State plan approved under section 18 of the Act, from a standard, or portion thereof, identical to a State standard, or portion thereof, without filing the information required in § 1905.10(b)(11) or § 1905.11(b)(8) of this chapter, such variance shall likewise be deemed an authoritative interpretation of the employer(s)' compliance obligations with regard to the State standard, or portion thereof, upon filing the information required under § 1905.10(b)(11) or § 1905.11(b)(8) of this chapter, provided no objections of substance are found to be interposed by the State authority under § 1905.14 of this chapter.

29 C.F.R. § 1905.14 Action on applications.

(a) Defective applications. (1) If an application filed pursuant to § 1905.10(a), § 1905.11(a), § 1905.12(a), or § 1905.13 does not conform to the applicable section, the Assistant Secretary may deny the application. (2) Prompt notice of the denial of an application shall be given to the applicant. (3) A notice of denial shall include, or be accompanied by, a brief statement of the grounds for the denial. (4) A denial of an application pursuant to this paragraph shall be without prejudice to the filing of another application. (b) Adequate applications. (1) If an application has not been denied pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section, the Assistant Secretary shall cause to be published in the Federal Register a notice of the filing of the application. (2) A notice of the filing of an application shall include: (i) The terms, or an accurate summary, of the application; (ii) A reference to the section of the Act under which the application has been filed; (iii) An invitation to interested persons to submit within a stated period of time written data, views, or arguments regarding the application; and (iv) Information to affected employers, employees, and appropriate State authority having jurisdiction over employment or places of employment covered in the application of any right to request a hearing on the application. (3) Where the requested variance, or any proposed modification or extension thereof, involves a Federal standard, or any portion thereof, identical to a State standard, or any portion thereof, as provided in §§ 1905.10(b)(11) and 1905.11(b)(8) of this chapter, the Assistant Secretary will promptly furnish a copy of the application to the appropriate State authority and provide an opportunity for comment, including the opportunity to participate as a party, on the application by such authority, which shall be taken into consideration in determining the merits of the proposed action. (4) A copy of each final decision of the Assistant Secretary with respect to an application filed under § 1905.10, § 1905.11, or § 1905.13 shall be furnished, within 10 days of issuance, the State authorities having jurisdiction over the employment or place of employment covered in the application.

29 C.F.R. § 1905.15 Requests for hearings on applications.

(a) Request for hearing. Within the time allowed by a notice of the filing of an application, any affected employer, employee, or appropriate State agency having jurisdiction over employment or places of employment covered in an application may file with the Assistant Secretary, in quadruplicate, a request for a hearing on the application. (b) Contents of a request for a hearing. A request for a hearing filed pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section shall include: (1) A concise statement of facts showing how the employer or employee would be affected by the relief applied for; (2) A specification of any statement or representation in the application which is denied, and a concise summary of the evidence that would be adduced in support of each denial; and (3) Any views or arguments on any issue of fact or law presented.

29 C.F.R. § 1905.16 Consolidation of proceedings.

The Assistant Secretary on his own motion or that of any party may consolidate or contemporaneously consider two or more proceedings which involve the same or closely related issues.

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