101.02 HistoryHistory: 1971 c. 185 ss. 1 to 5, 7; 1971 c. 228 ss. 16, 42; Stats. 1971 s. 101.02; 1975 c. 39, 94; 1977 c. 29; 1981 c. 360; 1983 a. 410; 1985 a. 182 s. 57; 1987 a. 343; 1989 a. 31, 56, 139; 1991 a. 39, 269; 1993 a. 27, 184, 252, 414, 492; 1995 a. 27 ss. 3631 to 3649r, 9126 (19); 1995 a. 215; 1997 a. 191, 237; 1999 a. 9; 2001 a. 61; 2005 a. 251, 456; 2007 a. 20 ss. 2609 to 2613, 9121 (6) (a); 2007 a. 63, 203; 2009 a. 16, 28, 209, 373; 2011 a. 32, 120, 146; 2013 a. 20, 36; 2013 a. 151 s. 28; 2013 a. 168, 270; 2015 a. 55, 176, 333; 2017 a. 59, 317, 330; 2017 a. 331 ss. 11 to 20, 47; 2021 a. 238; 2021 a. 240 s. 30; 2023 a. 12, 76. 101.02 Cross-referenceCross-reference: See also SPS, Wis. adm. code. 101.02 Cross-referenceCross-reference: See s. 66.0119 for a provision authorizing special inspection warrants. 101.02 AnnotationSafety rules promulgated under sub. (15) (h) applied to a frequenter of a new home construction site. Failure to instruct the jury that a violation of a safety standard constituted negligence per se was reversible error. Nordeen v. Hammerlund, 132 Wis. 2d 164, 389 N.W.2d 828 (Ct. App. 1986). 101.02 AnnotationEvery infrequent business-related activity in the home does not subject the homeowner to liability under the safe place statute. Geiger v. Milwaukee Guardian Insurance Co., 188 Wis. 2d 333, 524 N.W.2d 909 (Ct. App. 1994). 101.02 AnnotationThe local “minimum standards” that are preempted by sub. (7r) (a) are limited to building code standards. The test to determine whether a local ordinance imposes a standard that is effectively a building code standard is to inquire whether the local ordinance sets minimum standards that are meant to ensure that buildings are constructed, altered, or added to in such a way that they are structurally sound and are equipped with systems and components—whether electrical, gas, plumbing, mechanical, or some other—such that the buildings are safe for employees, frequenters, and the public. Courts must look at the specific content and purpose of the ordinance, bearing in mind the considerations that inform the statewide code. Associated Builders & Contractors of Wisconsin, Inc. v. City of Madison, 2023 WI App 59, 409 Wis. 2d 660, 998 N.W.2d 549, 22-1468. 101.02 AnnotationWhen an inspector determines that there is a violation of safety orders and a condition of extreme and imminent danger to a worker’s life exists, the inspector may seek the assistance of a local law enforcement officer. The local law enforcement officer has a duty to render assistance unless in the officer’s opinion other priority assignments take precedence. 59 Atty. Gen. 12.
101.02 AnnotationThe department’s authority to adopt rules covering the safety of frequenters engaged in recreational activities at youth camps is limited to orders relating to the construction of public buildings on the premises, but only as to the structural aspects thereof, and to places of employment, but only as to those camps operated for profit. 59 Atty. Gen. 35.
101.02 AnnotationThe department has the power to promulgate reasonable safety standards for the protection of employees while working in and around motor vehicles used on the job. 59 Atty. Gen. 181.
101.02 AnnotationThe department may inspect those parts of boarding homes designed for three or more persons where employees work or those used by the public, but not interiors of private dwellings. It has no authority to license or register boarding homes nor to charge an inspection fee based upon the number of beds or rooms. 62 Atty. Gen. 107.
101.02 AnnotationThe department cannot enact a rule that would alter the common law rights and duties of adjoining landowners with respect to lateral support, although the department may specify 30 days as the minimum safety period in which an excavating owner must give notice to a neighbor of an intent to excavate. 62 Atty. Gen. 287.
101.022101.022 Certain laws applicable to occupational licenses. Sections 440.03 (1), (3m), (4), (11m), and (13) (a), (am), and (b) 75., 440.05 (1) (a) and (2) (b), 440.075, 440.09 (2), 440.11, 440.12, 440.121, 440.13, 440.14, 440.15, 440.19, 440.20 (1), (3), (4) (a), and (5) (a), 440.205, 440.21, and 440.22, and the requirements imposed on the department under those statutes, apply to occupational licenses, as defined in s. 101.02 (1) (a) 2., in the same manner as those statutes apply to credentials, as defined in s. 440.01 (2) (a). 101.022 HistoryHistory: 2017 a. 331. 101.023101.023 Commercial building code council duties. The commercial building code council shall review the rules relating to constructing, altering, adding to, repairing, and maintaining public buildings and buildings that are places of employment. The council shall consider and make recommendations to the department pertaining to these rules and any other matters related to constructing, altering, adding to, repairing, and maintaining public buildings and buildings that are places of employment. In preparing rules under this chapter that relate to public buildings and to buildings that are places of employment, the department shall consult with the commercial building code council. 101.025101.025 Ventilation requirements for public buildings and places of employment. 101.025(1)(1) Notwithstanding s. 101.02 (1) (b) and (15), any rule that requires the intake of outside air for ventilation in public buildings or places of employment shall establish minimum quantities of outside air that must be supplied based upon the type of occupancy, the number of occupants, areas with toxic or unusual contaminants, and other pertinent criteria determined by the department. The department shall set standards where the mandatory intake of outside air may be waived. The department may waive the requirement for the intake of outside air where the owner has demonstrated that the resulting air quality is equivalent to that provided by outdoor air ventilation. The department may not waive the mandatory intake of outside air unless smoking is prohibited in the building or place of employment. In this subsection, “smoking” means carrying any lighted tobacco product. 101.025(2)(2) In the case where the intake of outside air is waived, any person may file a written complaint with the department requesting the enforcement of ventilation requirements for the intake of outside air for a particular public building or place of employment. The complaints shall be processed in the same manner and be subject to the same procedures as provided in s. 101.02 (6) (e) to (i) and (8). 101.025(3)(3) The department may order the owner of any public building or place of employment which is the subject of a complaint under sub. (2) to comply with ventilation requirements adopted under sub. (1) unless the owner can verify, in writing, that the elimination of the provision for outside air in the structure in question does not impose a significant detriment to the employees or frequenters of the structure and that the health, safety and welfare of the occupants is preserved. Upon receipt of a written verification from the owner, the department shall conduct an investigation, and the department may issue an order to comply with ventilation requirements under sub. (1) if it finds that the health, safety and welfare of the employees or frequenters of the structure in question is best served by reinstating the ventilation requirements for that structure. 101.025(4)(4) For ventilation systems in public buildings and places of employment, the department shall adopt rules setting: 101.025(4)(a)(a) A maximum rate of leakage allowable from outside air dampers when the dampers are closed. 101.025(4)(b)(b) Maintenance standards for ventilation systems in public buildings and places of employment existing on April 30, 1980. 101.025(5)(5) To the extent that the historic building code applies to the subject matter of this section, this section does not apply to a qualified historic building if the owner elects to be subject to s. 101.121. 101.025 Cross-referenceCross-reference: See also ch. SPS 364, Wis. adm. code. 101.027101.027 Energy conservation code for public buildings and places of employment. 101.027(1)(1) In this section, “energy conservation code” means the energy conservation code promulgated by the department that sets design requirements for construction and equipment for the purpose of energy conservation in public buildings and places of employment. 101.027(2)(2) The department shall review the energy conservation code and shall promulgate rules that change the requirements of the energy conservation code to improve energy conservation. No rule may be promulgated that has not taken into account the cost of the energy conservation code requirement, as changed by the rule, in relationship to the benefits derived from that requirement, including the reasonably foreseeable economic and environmental benefits to the state from any reduction in the use of imported fossil fuel. The proposed rules changing the energy conservation code shall be submitted to the legislature in the manner provided under s. 227.19. In conducting a review under this subsection, the department shall consider incorporating, into the energy conservation code, design requirements from the most current national energy efficiency design standards, including the International Energy Conservation Code or an energy efficiency code other than the International Energy Conservation Code if that energy efficiency code is used to prescribe design requirements for the purpose of conserving energy in buildings and is generally accepted and used by engineers and the construction industry. 101.027(3)(a)(a) The department shall begin a review under sub. (2) whenever one of the following occurs: 101.027(3)(a)1.1. A revision of the International Energy Conservation Code is published. 101.027(3)(a)2.2. Three years have passed from the date on which the department last submitted to the legislature proposed rules changing the energy conservation code. 101.027(3)(b)(b) The department shall complete a review under sub. (2) as follows: 101.027(3)(b)1.1. If the department begins a review under sub. (2) because a revision of the International Energy Conservation Code is published, the department shall complete its review of the energy conservation code, as defined in sub. (1), and submit to the legislature proposed rules changing the energy conservation code, as defined in sub. (1), no later than 18 months after the date on which the revision of the International Energy Conservation Code is published. 101.027(3)(b)2.2. If the department begins a review under sub. (2) because 3 years have passed from the date on which the department last submitted to the legislature proposed rules changing the energy conservation code, the department shall complete its review of the energy conservation code and submit to the legislature proposed rules changing the energy conservation code no later than 9 months after the last day of the 3-year period. 101.027 HistoryHistory: 1993 a. 242; 2005 a. 141. 101.027 Cross-referenceCross-reference: See also ch. SPS 363, Wis. adm. code. 101.03101.03 Testimonial powers of secretary and deputy. The secretary or any deputy secretary may certify to official acts, and take testimony. 101.03 HistoryHistory: 1971 c. 228 s. 21; Stats. 1971 s. 101.03; 1977 c. 29; 1995 a. 27. 101.05101.05 Exempt buildings and projects. 101.05(1)(1) No building code adopted by the department under this chapter shall affect buildings located on research or laboratory farms of public universities or other state institutions and used primarily for housing livestock or other agricultural purposes. 101.05(2)(2) A bed and breakfast establishment, as defined under s. 97.01 (1g), is not subject to building codes adopted by the department under this subchapter. 101.05(3)(3) No standard, rule, code or regulation of the department under this subchapter applies to construction undertaken by the state for the purpose of renovation of the state capitol building. 101.05(4)(4) No standard, rule, order, code or regulation adopted, promulgated, enforced or administered by the department under this chapter applies to a rural school building if all of the following are satisfied: 101.05(4)(a)(a) The school building consists of one classroom. 101.05(4)(b)(b) The school building is used as a school that is operated by and for members of a bona fide religious denomination in accordance with the teachings and beliefs of the denomination. 101.05(4)(c)(c) The teachings and beliefs of the bona fide religious denomination that operates the school prohibit the use of certain products, devices or designs that are necessary to comply with a standard, rule, order, code or regulation adopted, promulgated, enforced or administered by the department under this chapter. 101.05(5)(5) No standard, rule, order, code, or regulation adopted, promulgated, enforced, or administered by the department under s. 101.025, 101.027, 101.12, 101.121, or 101.125 to 101.135 applies to a building used for farming, as defined by the department by rule. 101.05(6)(a)(a) Except as provided in par. (b), no standard, rule, order, code, or regulation adopted, promulgated, enforced, or administered by the department under this chapter prevents the owner of a church from installing or operating a stairway chair lift in the church if all of the following conditions are satisfied: 101.05(6)(a)2.2. Each floor level connected by the stairway in which the stairway chair lift is installed has at least one other stairway or other type of fire escape that affords safe egress from the floor for all occupants. 101.05(6)(a)3.3. The installation and operation of the stairway chair lift complies with the requirements under subch. VII and the rules promulgated by the department under subch. VII, other than requirements related to a minimum stairway width. 101.05(6)(b)(b) If the chief of the fire department in the city, village, or town in which the church is located or, if the city, village, or town does not have a fire department, the department determines that installation or operation of a stairway chair lift under par. (a) would render any part of the church not safe, the chief or department may require the owner of the church, as a condition of installing or operating the stairway chair lift, to comply with other measures determined by the chief or department to be necessary for safety. 101.05 Cross-referenceCross-reference: See also ch. SPS 361, Wis. adm. code. 101.053101.053 Recreational and educational camps. 101.053(1)(1) In this section, “recreational and educational camp” means a premises, including temporary and permanent structures, that is operated as an overnight living quarters where both food and lodging or facilities for food and lodging are provided for children or adults or both children and adults for a planned program of recreation or education, and that is offered free of charge or for payment of a fee by a person or by the state or a local unit of government. “Recreational and educational camp” does not include any of the following: 101.053(1)(a)(a) An overnight planned program of recreation or education for adults or families at an establishment holding a current retail food establishment license issued under s. 97.30 or lodging license issued under s. 97.605. 101.053(1)(b)(b) An overnight planned program of recreation or education for fewer than 4 consecutive nights and without permanent facilities for food and lodging. 101.053(1)(c)(c) An overnight planned program for credit at an accredited academic institution of higher education. 101.053(1)(d)(d) A tournament, competition, visitation, recruitment, campus conference, or professional sports team training camp. 101.053(2)(2) The department shall promulgate rules revising the commercial building code to establish separate standards for the construction and inspection of recreational and educational camps. The standards established in the rules shall take into account the uses, including seasonal use, that are unique to recreational and educational camps. 101.053 HistoryHistory: 2019 a. 130; 2021 a. 240 s. 30. 101.055101.055 Public employee safety and health. 101.055(2)(2) Definitions. In this section, unless the context requires otherwise: 101.055(2)(a)(a) “Agency” means an office, department, independent agency, authority, institution, association, society, or other body in state government created or authorized to be created by the constitution or any law, and includes the legislature and the courts. 101.055(2)(b)(b) “Public employee” or “employee” means any employee of the state, of any agency or of any political subdivision of the state. 101.055(2)(c)(c) “Public employee representative” or “employee representative” means an authorized collective bargaining agent, an employee who is a member of a workplace safety committee or any person chosen by one or more public employees to represent those employees. 101.055(2)(d)(d) “Public employer” or “employer” means the state, any agency or any political subdivision of the state. 101.055(3)(a)(a) The department shall adopt, by administrative rule, standards to protect the safety and health of public employees. The standards shall provide protection at least equal to that provided to private sector employees under standards promulgated by the federal occupational safety and health administration, but no rule may be adopted by the department which defines a substance as a “toxic substance” solely because it is listed in the latest printed edition of the national institute for occupational safety and health registry of toxic effects of chemical substances. The department shall revise the safety and health standards adopted for public employees as necessary to provide protection at least equal to that provided to private sector employees under federal occupational safety and health administration standards, except as otherwise provided in this paragraph. Notwithstanding ss. 35.93 and 227.21, if the standards adopted by the department are identical to regulations adopted by a federal agency, the standards need not be published in full in the Wisconsin administrative code and register as provided in ss. 35.93 and 227.21 if the identical federal regulations are made available to the public at a reasonable cost and promulgated in accordance with ch. 227, except s. 227.21. The department may provide to the legislative reference bureau one or more Web addresses to provide electronic access to any standards adopted under this paragraph for publication in conjunction with the publication of the Wisconsin administrative code and register under s. 35.93. 101.055(3)(b)(b) Standards adopted by the department shall contain appropriate provisions for informing employees about hazards in the workplace, precautions to be taken and emergency treatment practices to be used in the event of an accident or overexposure to a toxic substance. Standards shall include provisions for providing information to employees through posting, labeling or other suitable means. Where appropriate, standards adopted by the department shall contain provisions for the use of protective equipment and technological procedures to control hazards. 101.055(3)(c)(c) Standards adopted by the department relating to toxic substances or harmful physical agents, such as noise, temperature extremes and radiation, shall assure to the extent feasible that no employee will suffer material impairment of health or functional capacity through regular exposure. Where appropriate, standards adopted by the department relating to toxic substances and physical agents shall require the monitoring and measuring of employees’ exposure to the substance or agent. 101.055(3)(d)(d) No standards adopted under this subsection may require a member of a volunteer or paid fire department maintained by a political subdivision of this state to complete more than 60 hours of training prior to participating in structural fire fighting. 101.055(4)(a)(a) Procedure. A public employer may apply to the department for a temporary variance under par. (b), an experimental variance under par. (c) or a permanent variance under par. (d) to any standard adopted under sub. (3) by filing a petition with the department specifying the standard for which the public employer seeks a variance and the reasons for which the variance is sought. In addition, the public employer seeking the variance shall provide a copy of the application to the appropriate public employee representatives and post a statement at the place where notices to employees are normally posted. The posted statement shall summarize the application, specify a place where employees may examine the application and inform employees of their right to request a hearing. Upon receipt of a written request by the employer, an affected employee or a public employee representative, the department shall hold a hearing on the application for a variance and may make further investigations. If a hearing has been requested, the department may not issue a variance until a hearing has been held. A variance issued under par. (b), (c) or (d) shall prescribe the methods and conditions which the employer must adopt and maintain while the variance is in effect. 101.055(4)(b)(b) Temporary variance. The department may grant a temporary variance before a standard goes into effect if the public employer complies with par. (a) and establishes that it is unable to comply with a standard by the standard’s effective date because of unavailability of professional or technical personnel or of necessary materials or equipment or because necessary construction or alteration of facilities cannot be completed by the effective date. The employer shall also show that it is taking all available steps to safeguard employees against the hazard covered by the standard from which the variance is sought and shall possess and describe a program for coming into compliance with the standard as quickly as possible. If a hearing is requested, the department may state in writing that noncompliance with the standard is permitted for 180 days or until a decision is made after the hearing, whichever is earlier. A temporary variance shall be in effect for the period of time needed by the employer to achieve compliance with the standard or for one year, whichever is shorter. A temporary variance may be renewed no more than twice, and only if the public employer files an application for renewal at least 90 days before expiration of the temporary variance and complies with this paragraph and par. (a). 101.055(4)(c)(c) Experimental variance. The department may grant an experimental variance if the public employer complies with par. (a) and the department determines that the variance is necessary to permit the employer to participate in an experiment approved by the department to demonstrate or validate new or improved techniques to safeguard the health or safety of employees. 101.055(4)(d)(d) Permanent variance. The department may grant a permanent variance if the public employer complies with par. (a) and the department finds the employer has demonstrated by a preponderance of the evidence that the conditions and methods the employer uses or proposes to use provide employment or a place of employment which is as safe and healthful as that provided under the standard from which the employer seeks a permanent variance. A permanent variance may be modified or revoked upon application by the employer, an affected employee, a public employee representative or the department and after opportunity for a hearing, but not sooner than 6 months after issuance of the permanent variance. 101.055(5)(a)(a) A public employee or public employee representative who believes that a safety or health standard or variance is being violated, or that a situation exists which poses a recognized hazard likely to cause death or serious physical harm, may request the department to conduct an inspection. The department shall provide forms which may be used to make a request for an inspection. If the employee or public employee representative requesting the inspection so designates, that person’s name shall not be disclosed to the employer or any other person, including any agency except the department. If the department decides not to make an inspection, it shall notify in writing any employee or public employee representative making a written request. A decision by the department not to make an inspection in response to a request under this subsection is reviewable by the department under sub. (6) (a) 3. and is subject to judicial review under sub. (6) (a) 4. 101.055(5)(b)(b) An authorized representative of the department may enter the place of employment of a public employer at reasonable times, within reasonable limits and in a reasonable manner to determine whether that employer is complying with safety and health standards and variances adopted under subs. (3) and (4) or to investigate any situation which poses a recognized hazard likely to cause death or serious physical harm to a public employee regardless of whether a standard is being violated. No public employer may refuse to allow a representative of the department to inspect a place of employment. If an employer attempts to prevent a representative of the department from conducting an inspection, the department may obtain an inspection warrant under s. 66.0119. No notice may be given before conducting an inspection under this paragraph unless that notice is expressly authorized by the secretary or is necessary to enhance the effectiveness of the inspection. 101.055(5)(c)(c) A representative of the employer and a public employee representative shall be permitted to accompany a representative of the department on an inspection made under this subsection to aid in the inspection and to notify the inspector of any possible violation of a safety and health standard or variance or of any situation which poses a recognized hazard likely to cause death or serious physical harm to a public employee. The public employee representative accompanying the representative of the department on an inspection shall, with respect to payment received or withheld for time spent accompanying the department representative, receive treatment equal to that afforded to any representative of the employer who is present during an inspection, except that a public employer may choose to allow only one public employee representative at a time to accompany the department representative on an inspection without a reduction in pay. If a representative of the employer does not accompany the representative of the department on an inspection, at least one public employee representative shall be allowed to accompany the representative of the department on the inspection without a loss of pay. Where no public employee representative accompanies the representative of the department on an inspection, the representative of the department shall consult with a reasonable number of employees concerning matters of employee safety and health. The department shall keep a written record of the name of any person accompanying the department representative during the inspection, the name of any employee consulted and the name of any authorized collective bargaining agent notified of the inspection by the public employer under sub. (7) (e). 101.055(5)(d)(d) When making an inspection, a representative of the department may question privately any public employer or employee. No public employee shall suffer a loss in wages for time spent responding to any questions under this paragraph. 101.055(5)(e)(e) A representative of the department shall have access to the records required under sub. (7) (a) and (b) and to any other records maintained by a public employer which are related to the purpose of the inspection.
