Workplace violence is the second leading cause of fatal occupational injuries in the United States, and affects nearly 2 million American workers annually, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Commission (OSHA). The latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics grimly tell that 97 California workers died because of workplace violence in 2022, the highest number ever recorded and an 11% increase over 2021. A new California law, SB 553, addresses workplace violence by requiring nearly all Golden State employers to come up with a plan to protect employees, and to train them on the plan. The law takes effect on July 1, 2024, and there is no grace period.
Among the topics each employer’s Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP) must cover are:
- How employees can report violent incidents, threats, or other workplace violence concerns;
- How employee concerns will be investigated, and how employees will be informed of investigation results and corrective actions;
- Responding to actual or potential workplace violence emergencies, including evacuation and sheltering plans, and how to obtain staff and law enforcement assistance;
- Steps taken to prohibit retaliation;
- Requirements for maintaining a Violent Incident Log.
While Cal/OSHA has posted a model WVPP, each employer must develop its own, site-specific plan.
Not only does SB 553 mandate having a WVPP by July 1, but it also requires that all employees must be trained on the plan by July 1. The training must include topics such as:
- Understanding the employer’s WVPP and how to get a copy of it;
- Different types of workplace violence;
- How to report workplace violence incidents without fear of retaliation;
- Understanding job-specific violence hazards and preventive measures; and
- Purpose of the Violent Incident Log and how to obtain related records.
The law also mandates that the training include the opportunity for interactive discussions with someone knowledgeable about the employer’s plan. The Cal/OSHA model WVPP goes further, and suggests that employers include additional topics, such as strategies to avoid/prevent workplace violence and physical harm, ways to defuse hostile or threatening situations, and how to seek post-event trauma counseling.
What this means to you: If you’re a California employer, time for doing your 2024 SB 553 training is running out! The penalties can be substantial: up to $15,873.00 for each offense and as much as $158,727 for willful and repeat offenses.
In a new 60-minute interactive webinar, Preventing Workplace Violence: CA Edition covers all of the required topics, as well as those suggested by Cal/OSHA. Through polls, case studies, and quizzes, Fair Measures’ attorney-trainers will guide your employees through your plan and what they can do to create and maintain a respectful and violence-free workplace. Call us today at 800-458-2778 or email us for more information.
Updated 05-06-2024
Information here is correct at the time it is posted. Case decisions cited here may be reversed. Please do not rely on this information without consulting an attorney first.
