California’s SB 553i requires all employers – with few exceptions – to create and implement a comprehensive Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP). As a reminder, the statute’s effective date of July 1, 2024, is just around the corner.
Effective July 1st employers must have in place:
- A WVPP that meets the law’s specific standards;
- A violent incident log to record any violent workplace incidents or threats;
- A comprehensive training program for all employees on workplace violence prevention; and
- A record-keeping plan that ensures compliance and is maintained for at least five years.
As discussed here, to assist employers in establishing, implementing and maintaining an effective WVPP, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) has released a Model WVPP. Nonetheless, employers must be mindful of Cal/OSHA expectation that each WVPP be customized to reflect the specific needs of the organization and resist the temptation to use an off-the-shelf plan.
Additional resources can be found on Cal/OSHA’s WVPP webpage.