Cal/OSHA to Require Workplace Violence Prevention Plans Starting July 1, 2024

By James I. Anderson, Esq.

In brief

In September 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 553 (SB 553) into law, mandating that certain businesses implement a Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP) starting July 1, 2024. This new requirement applies to most employers with 10 or more employees, who must expand their existing Injury and Illness Prevention Plan (IIPP) to include a WVPP.

In detail

SB 553 obligates employers to establish and implement a WVPP as part of their already-mandated IIPP. The law also introduces training, record-keeping, and reporting requirements like those associated with the IIPP. The WVPP must be accessible to all employees and include procedures and policies specifically designed to address the types of workplace violence identified in the plan. These procedures must be tailored to the specific risks present in each workplace.

Employers are also required to maintain a log of workplace violence incidents and preserve these records for five years. Non-compliance with SB 553 can result in citations and penalties from Cal/OSHA, and it may increase employer liability in the event of a workplace violence incident.

For more information on WVPP requirements and related materials, visit the Cal/OSHA website here.

Everview can assist clients with development of compliant Injury and Illness Prevention Plans and Workplace Violence Prevention Plans.