Title: |
Variance from Berkeley Lab ES&H Policies |
Publication date: |
6/9/2022 |
Effective date: |
10/25/2012 |
BRIEF
Summary
This policy provides guidance on requesting a variance from existing Environment, Safety & Health (ES&H) policies at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab).
Who Should Read This Page
All persons who work at or visit Berkeley Lab
To Read the Full Policy, Go To:
The POLICY tab on this wiki page
To Read the ES&H Program Details, Go To:
ES&H Manual Chapter 1
Safety Compliance Program Manager
Technical Support Services Group
EHS Division
hnmadison@lbl.gov
Title: |
Variance from Berkeley Lab ES&H Policies |
Publication date: |
6/9/2022 |
Effective date: |
10/25/2012 |
Policy
A. Purpose
This policy provides guidance on requesting a variance from existing ES&H policies at Berkeley Lab.
B. To Whom This Applies
All persons who work at Berkeley Lab
C. Exceptions
None
D. Policy
Circumstances may occasionally arise where an ES&H policy and/or other ES&H Manual requirements may prevent work from being conducted safely. If it is necessary to perform this work, each circumstance must be brought to the attention of the EHS Division in the form of a request for variance, as identified below. Each request will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Principal investigators and/or other Berkeley Lab employees who have concurrence from his/her cognizant division director or independent department head may request in writing a variance from a Laboratory ES&H policy. Requests for variances go to the EHS Division Director and must include:
- An explanation of the specific criteria, rules, or procedures for which the variance is being requested
- An explanation of the need to perform the experiment in the proposed manner
- A description of the experimental apparatus
- A description of the measures to be taken to ensure that the variance will not compromise safety
- A statement defining the period during which the variance is to be in effect
Employees denied variance requests may make an appeal to the Deputy Director for Operations, whose decisions are final.
E. Roles and Responsibilities
Role |
Responsibility |
Deputy Director for Operations |
Manages appeals for denials of variances on Laboratory ES&H policies and requests for variances from DOE orders and regulations |
Division Directors and Heads of Independent Departments |
Review and concur with or deny written requests for a variance from Laboratory ES&H policy from within their organization |
EHS Division Director |
Approves or denies in writing requests for variances from Laboratory ES&H policy |
Laboratory Principal Investigators; Laboratory Managers and Supervisors |
Request in writing a variance from Laboratory ES&H policy |
Safety Advisory Committee |
May study variance requests and provide recommendations at the request of the EHS Division Director or Deputy Director for Operations |
F. Definitions/Acronyms
Terms |
Definitions |
Variance |
An exception to compliance with some part of a safety, health, environmental, or security standard granted by the EHS Division Director to a Berkeley Lab employee |
G. Recordkeeping Requirements
None
H. Implementing Documents
None
Safety Compliance Program Manager
Technical Support Services Group
EHS Division
hnmadison@lbl.gov
