(1) Any affected employer may apply to the commissioner for a rule or order for a variance from a standard.
(2) Affected employees shall be given notice of each application and an opportunity to participate in a hearing.
(3) The commissioner shall issue the rule or order if the commissioner determines on the record, after opportunity for an inspection where appropriate and a hearing, 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 the employer's employees that are as safe and healthful as those that would prevail if the employer complied with the standard.
(4) The rule or order issued 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.
(5) The rule or order may be modified or revoked upon application by an employer, employees, or by the commissioner on the commissioner's own motion, in the manner prescribed for its issuance under this section at any time after six (6) months from its issuance.