101.02(11)(11) Proof by any person, firm or corporation employing a contractor to construct, repair, alter or improve any building or structure, that such contractor in performing such work has failed to comply with any applicable order or regulation of the department promulgated under this chapter shall constitute a defense to any action for payment by such contractor to the extent that it shall bar recovery for any part of the work which fails to comply. Advancements paid to the contractor for work which fails to comply as well as any reasonable amount expended to effectuate compliance with any applicable order or regulation may be recovered from such contractor by way of counterclaim or in a separate action. This section shall not apply where plans or specifications were prepared by an architect or engineer licensed to do business in this state and the contract performed in accordance therewith. 101.02(12)(12) Every day during which any person or corporation, or any officer, agent or employee of a person or corporation, fails to observe and comply with any order of the department or to perform any duty specified under this subchapter shall constitute a separate and distinct violation of the order or of the requirements of this subchapter, whichever is applicable. 101.02(13)(a)(a) If any employer, employee, owner, or other person violates this subchapter, or fails or refuses to perform any duty specified under this subchapter, within the time prescribed by the department, for which no penalty has been specifically provided, or fails, neglects or refuses to obey any lawful order given or made by the department, or any judgment or decree made by any court in connection with this subchapter, for each such violation, failure or refusal, such employer, employee, owner or other person shall forfeit and pay into the state treasury a sum not less than $10 nor more than $100 for each such offense. 101.02(13)(b)(b) It shall be the duty of all officers of the state, the counties and municipalities, upon request of the department, to enforce in their respective departments, all lawful orders of the department, insofar as the same may be applicable and consistent with the general duties of such officers. 101.02(14)(a)(a) The secretary or any examiner appointed by the secretary may hold hearings and take testimony. 101.02(14)(b)(b) Each witness who appears before the department by its order shall receive for attendance the fees and mileage provided for witnesses in civil cases in courts of record, which shall be audited and paid by the state in the same manner as other expenses are audited and paid, upon the presentation of properly verified vouchers approved by the secretary, and charged to the proper appropriation for the department. No witness subpoenaed at the instance of an attorney under par. (cm) or at the instance of a party other than the department is entitled to compensation from the state for attendance or travel unless the department certifies that the testimony was material to the matter investigated. 101.02(14)(c)(c) The department or any party may in any investigation cause the depositions of witnesses residing within or without the state to be taken in the manner prescribed by law for like depositions in civil actions in circuit courts. The expense incurred by the state in the taking of such depositions shall be charged against the proper appropriations for the department. 101.02(14)(cm)(cm) A party’s attorney of record may issue a subpoena to compel the attendance of a witness or the production of evidence. A subpoena issued by an attorney must be in substantially the same form as provided in s. 805.07 (4) and must be served in the manner provided in s. 805.07 (5). The attorney shall, at the time of issuance, send a copy of the subpoena to the appeal tribunal or other representative of the department responsible for conducting the proceeding. 101.02(14)(d)(d) A full and complete record shall be kept of all proceedings had before the department on any investigation and all testimony shall be taken down by the stenographer appointed by the department. 101.02(15)(a)(a) The department has such supervision of every employment, place of employment and public building in this state as is necessary adequately to enforce and administer all laws and all lawful orders requiring such employment, place of employment or public building to be safe, and requiring the protection of the life, health, safety and welfare of every employee in such employment or place of employment and every frequenter of such place of employment, and the safety of the public or tenants in any such public building. This paragraph does not apply to occupational safety and health issues covered by standards established and enforced by the federal occupational safety and health administration. 101.02(15)(b)(b) The department shall administer and enforce, so far as not otherwise provided for in the statutes, the laws relating to laundries, stores, licensed occupations, school attendance, bakeries, intelligence offices and bureaus, manufacture of cigars, sweatshops, corn shredders, woodsawing machines, fire escapes and means of egress from buildings, scaffolds, hoists, ladders and other matters relating to the erection, repair, alteration or painting of buildings and structures, and all other laws protecting the life, health, safety and welfare of employees in employments and places of employment and frequenters of places of employment. 101.02(15)(c)(c) Upon petition by any person that any employment or place of employment or public building is not safe, the department shall proceed, with or without notice, to make such investigation as may be necessary to determine the matter complained of. 101.02(15)(d)(d) After such hearing as may be necessary, the department may enter such order relative thereto as may be necessary to render such employment or place of employment or public building safe. 101.02(15)(e)(e) Whenever the department shall learn that any employment or place of employment or public building is not safe it may of its own motion, summarily investigate the same, with or without notice, and enter such order as may be necessary relative thereto. 101.02(15)(f)(f) The department shall investigate, ascertain and determine such reasonable classifications of persons, employments, places of employment and public buildings, as shall be necessary to carry out the purposes of this subchapter. 101.02(15)(g)(g) The secretary or any deputy of the department may enter any place of employment or public building, for the purpose of collecting facts and statistics, examining the provisions made for the health, safety and welfare of the employees, frequenters, the public or tenants therein and bringing to the attention of every employer or owner any law, or any order of the department, and any failure on the part of such employer or owner to comply therewith. No employer or owner may refuse to admit the secretary or any deputy of the department to his or her place of employment or public building. 101.02(15)(h)(h) The department shall investigate, ascertain, declare and prescribe what safety devices, safeguards or other means or methods of protection are best adapted to render the employees of every employment and place of employment and frequenters of every place of employment safe, and to protect their welfare as required by law or lawful orders. 101.02(15)(i)(i) The department shall ascertain and fix such reasonable standards and shall prescribe, modify and enforce such reasonable orders for the adoption of safety devices, safeguards and other means or methods of protection to be as nearly uniform as possible, as may be necessary to carry out all laws and lawful orders relative to the protection of the life, health, safety and welfare of employees in employments and places of employment or frequenters of places of employment. 101.02(15)(j)(j) The department shall ascertain, fix and order such reasonable standards or rules for constructing, altering, adding to, repairing, and maintaining public buildings and places of employment in order to render them safe. 101.02(15)(jm)(jm) Paragraphs (a) to (j) do not apply to public employee occupational safety and health issues covered under s. 101.055. 101.02(15)(k)(k) Every employer and every owner shall furnish to the department all information that the department requires to administer and enforce this subchapter, and shall provide specific answers to all questions that the department asks relating to any information that the department requires. 101.02(15)(L)(L) Any employer receiving from the department any form requesting information that the department requires to administer and enforce this subchapter, along with directions to complete the form, shall properly complete the form and answer fully and correctly each question asked in the form. If the employer is unable to answer any question, the employer shall give a good and sufficient reason for his or her inability to answer the question. The employer’s answers shall be verified under oath by the employer, or by the president, secretary or other managing officer of the corporation, if the employer is a corporation, and the completed form shall be returned to the department at its office within the period fixed by the department. 101.02(16)(16) The department shall comply with the requirements of ch. 160 in the administration of any program, responsibility or activity assigned or delegated to it by law. 101.02(18)(18) The department may establish a schedule of fees for publications and seminars provided by the department for which no fee is otherwise authorized, required or prohibited by statute. Fees established under this subsection for publications and seminars provided by the department may not exceed the actual cost incurred in providing those publications and seminars. 101.02(19)(a)(a) The department shall, after consulting with the department of health services, develop a report form to document contact with blood or body fluids that constitutes a significant exposure, for use under s. 252.15 (5g) (c). The form shall contain the following language for use by a person who may have had a significant exposure: “REMEMBER — WHEN YOU ARE INFORMED OF AN HIV TEST RESULT BY USING THIS FORM, IT IS A VIOLATION OF THE LAW FOR YOU TO REVEAL TO ANYONE ELSE THE IDENTITY OF THE PERSON WHO IS THE SUBJECT OF THAT TEST RESULT. (PENALTY: POSSIBLE JAIL AND UP TO $50,000 FINE)”. 101.02(19)(b)(b) The department shall determine whether a report form that is not the report form under par. (a) that is used or proposed for use to document significant exposure to blood or body fluids, is substantially equivalent to the report form under par. (a). 101.02(22)(a)(a) In this subsection, “insulating concrete form” means a hollow expandable polystyrene form that is filled with concrete. 101.02(22)(b)(b) Except as provided in par. (c), no later than April 1, 2007, the department shall provide a designation on every standard building permit form prescribed by the department under this chapter to indicate whether insulating concrete forms are being used in the construction of the building for which the permit is issued. 101.02(22)(c)(c) No later than June 1, 2006, the department shall provide the designation described under par. (b) on all electronic versions of every standard building permit form prescribed by the department under this chapter. 101.02(23)(23) The department shall include the following language on every standard building permit form prescribed by the department under this chapter: “YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR COMPLYING WITH STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS CONCERNING CONSTRUCTION NEAR OR ON WETLANDS, LAKES, AND STREAMS. WETLANDS THAT ARE NOT ASSOCIATED WITH OPEN WATER CAN BE DIFFICULT TO IDENTIFY. FAILURE TO COMPLY MAY RESULT IN REMOVAL OR MODIFICATION OF CONSTRUCTION THAT VIOLATES THE LAW OR OTHER PENALTIES OR COSTS. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES WETLANDS IDENTIFICATION WEB PAGE OR CONTACT A DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES SERVICE CENTER.” 101.02(25)(25) The department may promulgate rules prescribing procedures for approving new building materials, methods, and equipment. 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.
