(1) The department may, upon application of any interested person or upon its own initiative, grant any exemptions from the requirements in this chapter that the department determines are authorized by law and will not endanger life or property and are otherwise in the public interest.

(2) Any application for a license or for amendment of a license authorizing use of a teletherapy-type unit for irradiation of materials or objects may include proposed alternatives to the requirements of this chapter. The department shall approve the proposed alternatives if the applicant provides adequate rationale for the proposed alternatives and demonstrates the alternatives are likely to provide an adequate level of safety for workers and the public.