MADISON…In response to the introduction of Assembly Bill 991/Senate Bill 883, legislation authored by Representative Rob Kreibich (New Richmond) and Senator André Jacque (New Franken) to allow 16- and 17-year-old minors to operate pizza dough-roller machines, the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) incorporated their proposal into rule changes submitted to the governor on Tuesday, scheduled to take effect the month following their publication.
Under current Wisconsin law, an individual must be at least 18 to operate certain power-driven bakery machines, including dough sheeters and rollers. However, federal law provides an exemption for 16- and 17-year-olds who operate pizza-dough rollers that meet specific safety standards. These machines, such as the Somerset CDR-2000, are designed with safety features that make them safe for minors to operate, such as through hand guards to prevent contact with rollers, completely enclosed gears, and microswitches that automatically shut off the machine if safety panels are removed. The DWD’s proposed rule change will bring Wisconsin employment law into alignment with federal law and neighboring states.
The bill’s authors celebrated the inclusion of the regulatory adjustments into administrative code.
“This is a common-sense policy that will make it easier for small businesses to employ teenagers, many in their first jobs, for roles other than taking orders, which are increasingly processed online today,” said Kreibich.
“This change will remove unnecessary regulatory obstacles for pizza businesses, creating job opportunities without imperiling worker safety, and I appreciate the administration recognizing the importance of getting this done,” said Jacque.
Assembly Bill 991/Senate Bill 883 was introduced with the support of the Wisconsin Grocers Association, the Wisconsin Restaurant Association, the Wisconsin Bakers Association, and the Wisconsin Fuel & Retail Association.