Washington Variance Application — Industrial Safety and Health is a process used by employers to request a variance from the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISH). The variance is used to exempt employers from WISH regulations and standards when an employer can demonstrate that the variance will result in a level of safety and health protection that is equal to or greater than the protection that would be afforded by the regulation. There are three main types of Washington Variance Application — Industrial Safety and Health: 1) General Variances, which are specific to an employer, process, or work place; 2) Standard Variances, which apply to an entire industry or sector; and 3) Permanent Variances, which are granted for an indefinite period of time.