192.327 Motor vehicles of railroads used to transport its employees.

(1) As used in this section, unless the context requires otherwise:

(b) “Motor vehicle" means any vehicle which is self-propelled.

(c) “Owner" means any person having the lawful use or control of a motor vehicle as holder of the legal title of the motor vehicle or under contract or lease or otherwise.

(d) “Place of employment" means that location where one or more workers are actually performing the labor incident to their employment.

(e) “Worker" means an individual employed for any period in any work for which the individual is compensated, whether full or part time.

(2) Every motor vehicle provided by a railroad company and used to transport one or more workers to and from their places of employment or during the course of their employment shall be operated by a driver who satisfies the minimum standards for drivers established by the department.

(3) The office shall make and enforce reasonable rules relating to motor vehicles used to transport workers to and from their places of employment or during the course of their employment.

(4) Before formulating such rules, the office shall conduct hearings under ch. 227 and invite the participation of interested groups. These groups may make suggestions relating to the minimum standards to be embodied in the rules. The office may consider the suggestions prior to the issuance of any rules.

(5) The office may amend the rules at any time upon its own motion after due notice to interested parties.

(6) The office may, in enforcing the rules, inspect any motor vehicle used to transport workers to and from their places of employment or during the course of their employment. Upon request of the office, the department shall direct its traffic officers to assist the office in those inspections.

(7) Whenever the office finds that a motor vehicle used to transport workers to and from their places of employment or during the course of their employment violates any provision of the rules, the office shall make, enter and serve upon the owner of the motor vehicle such order as may be necessary to protect the safety of workers transported in the motor vehicle.

(8) Any railroad company willfully failing to comply with an order issued under sub. (7), may be fined not to exceed $500.

History: 1977 c. 29 ss. 1299, 1654 (7) (a), (e), (9) (e); 1981 c. 347 s. 80 (1); 1993 a. 16, 123, 482.