• Rules. Wisconsin does not have a federally approved occupational safety and health program. Consequently, the federal OSH Act governs the workplace safety and health in the private sector. The state has adopted its own penalties for violations of its workplace safety and health rules, including the hazard communication rule, for public sector workplaces.
• Administration and enforcement. OSHA administers and enforces the workplace safety and health regulations in the private sector in Wisconsin. The Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) administers and enforces the state's workplace safety and health standards for public sector employers.
TABLE 1: VIOLATIONS OF SAFETY LAWS
TABLE 1: VIOLATIONS OF SAFETY LAWS| Prohibited Act | Penalty |
| OSHA public sector: Violation of any rule | Administrative:WSA 101.055(6)(a)(1):Issuance of an order to comply |
| OSHA public sector: Hazard which could cause imminent death or serious harm | Civil:WSA 101.055(6)(b):Injunction, or action for mandamus |
| OSHA public sector: Violation of the hazard communication (employee right to know) rule | Civil:WSA 101.599:Up to $1,000 for each violation; up to $10,000 for each willful violation, or for each violation if a pattern of violations is detected |
Wisconsin does not have a federally approved occupational safety and health program. Consequently, the federal OSH Act governs the workplace safety and health in the private sector. The state has adopted its own penalties for violations of its workplace safety and health rules, including the hazard communication rule, for public sector workplaces. See TABLE 1 for state-specific penalties for safety violations.
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State Requirements
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| Type | Title |
|---|---|
| Checklists | Checklist: Do you have what it takes to argue your affirmative defense? |
| Forms | Notice of Alleged Health or Safety Hazards |
| Posters | Whistleblowers Are Protected (Cal/OSHA, PDF) |
| White Papers | Your guide to COVID-19 enforcement |