Final answer:
Permanent variances are granted by OSHA to employers who demonstrate that their safety procedures are as safe, or safer, than those prescribed by OSHA standards. These variances allow deviations from specific regulations if equivalent levels of protection are ensured. Employers must also comply with the General Duty Clause to maintain a free-of-hazards workplace.
Step-by-step explanation:
Variances are granted when an employer demonstrates that their particular safety procedures provide an equivalent or greater level of protection than the standards required by the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA). The correct answer to the question is 'B) Permanent' variances. Permanent variances allow employers to deviate from an OSHA standard if they can prove that their unique methods are equally effective at protecting worker health and safety.
OSHA standards are comprehensive and cover various aspects of workplace safety, including fall protection, prevention of trenching cave-ins, minimizing exposure to infectious diseases and harmful chemicals, ensuring the safety of workers in confined spaces, machine guarding, and necessary safety training. Employers are also required to abide by the General Duty Clause of the OSH Act, obligating them to keep their workplace free from serious recognized hazards, even where no specific standard is in place.
Furthermore, it is essential to note that employers are expected to seek out and correct safety and health problems utilizing the best available means, prioritizing the elimination or reduction of hazards over protective equipment when possible and ensuring all necessary training is provided in a language workers can understand.