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

F. Definitions/Acronyms

G. Recordkeeping Requirements

None

H. Implementing Documents

None

I. Contact Information

Safety Compliance Program Manager
Technical Support Services Group
EHS Division
[email protected] 

DOCUMENT INFORMATION

Source Requirements Documents

• Contract 31, Clause I.123, DEAR 970.5204-2, Laws, Regulations, and DOE Directives (Dec. 2000) (Deviation) (prev. I.079)
  
• Contract 31, Appendix I, Environment, Safety and Health Standards for LBNL

Implementing Documents

None

Revision History