(a) An employer who is affected by AS 18.60.010 - 18.60.105 may apply to the commissioner for a temporary variance from a provision of the safety and health standards adopted by the department. A temporary variance shall be issued only if the employer files an application fulfilling the requirements of (b) of this section and the employer establishes that the employer

(1) is unable to comply with a standard by its effective date because of unavailability of the professional or technical personnel or of the materials and equipment needed to come into compliance or because necessary construction or alteration of facilities cannot be completed by the effective date;

(2) is taking all available steps to safeguard employees against the hazards covered by the standard;

(3) has an effective program for coming into compliance with the standards as quickly as practicable.

(b) An application for a temporary variance must contain

(1) a specification of the standard from which the employer seeks a temporary variance;

(2) a representation by the employer, supported by representations from qualified persons having firsthand knowledge of the facts represented, that the employer is unable to comply and a detailed statement of the reasons for this inability;

(3) a statement of the steps the employer has taken and will take, including specific dates, to protect employees against the hazard covered by the standard;

(4) a statement of when the employer expects to be able to comply with the standard and what steps the employer has taken and what steps the employer will take, including specific dates, to come into compliance;

(5) a certification that the employer has informed employees of the application for temporary variance and of their right to request a hearing by giving a copy of the application and a written statement of the right to a hearing to the employees' authorized representative, by posting a statement giving a summary of the application and stating the employees' right to a hearing and specifying where a copy of the application and notice of right to a hearing may be examined at the place or places where notices to employees are normally posted, and by other appropriate means.

(c) A temporary variance issued under this section must prescribe the practices, means, methods, operations, and processes that the employer shall adopt and use while the variance is in effect and state in detail the employer's program for coming into compliance with the standard. A temporary variance may be granted only after notice to affected employees and an opportunity for hearing. However, the commissioner may issue one interim order to be effective until a decision is made on the basis of a hearing. A temporary variance may not be in effect for longer than the period needed by the employer to achieve compliance with the standard or one year, whichever is shorter, except that a temporary variance may be renewed no more than twice if the requirements of (a) and (b) of this section are met and the application for renewal is filed at least 90 days before the expiration date of the variance. An interim renewal of an order may not remain in effect for longer than 180 days.