(a) An employer who is affected by AS 18.60.010 - 18.60.105 may apply to the commissioner for a variance from a provision of the safety and health standards adopted by the department. Employees who are affected by an application for variance shall be given notice of the application for variance and an opportunity to participate in the hearing. The commissioner shall issue the variance if the commissioner determines on the basis of the hearing record, after opportunity for an inspection where appropriate, that the proponent of the variance has demonstrated by a preponderance of the evidence that the conditions, practices, means, methods, operations, or processes used or proposed to be used by an employer will provide employment and places of employment to employees that are as safe and as healthful as those that would prevail if the employer complied with the provisions of the safety and health standards adopted by the department. The variance shall prescribe the conditions the employer must maintain and the practices, means, methods, operations, and processes that the employer must adopt and utilize to the extent they differ from the standard in question. The variance may be modified or revoked upon application by an employer, by employees, or by motion of the commissioner, in the manner prescribed for its issuance under this subsection at any time after six months from its issuance.

(b) When the commissioner grants a variance, the commissioner shall include in this grant a statement of the reasons for the action, and the statement shall be published in a newspaper of statewide circulation and in a newspaper of local circulation in the area where the variance will be implemented. A copy of the statement shall be sent to the OSHA Review Board.