(a) Law means section 27-a of the New York State Labor Law.

(b) Commissioner means the Commissioner of Labor.

(c) Employer means the State, any political subdivision of the State; a public authority or any other governmental agency or instrumentality thereof.

(d) Employee means a person permitted to work by an employer.

(e) Authorized employee representative means an employee authorized by the employees or the designated representative of an employee organization recognized or certified to represent the employees pursuant to article 14 of the Civil Service Law.

(f) Variance means any relief under section 27-a(8)(a) and (c) of the Labor Law wherein conditions, practices, means, methods, operations or processes used or proposed to be used by an employer must provide employment and places of employment to employees which are as safe and healthful as those which would prevail if the employer complied with the standard.