Effective July 1, 2024, most California employers must take steps to prevent workplace violence. This summary outlines the key requirements of Senate Bill 553.
Who Needs a Plan?
Most California employers are required to have a written workplace violence prevention plan. There are some exceptions, including healthcare facilities with existing plans and workplaces with less than 10 employees with limited public access.
What's in the Plan?
The plan must address various aspects of workplace violence prevention, including:
- Identifying and Addressing Hazards: Regularly assess your workplace for potential risks and implement corrective measures.
- Employee Involvement: Encourage employees to participate in developing and implementing the plan, including reporting concerns.
- Communication: Clearly communicate the plan and procedures for reporting violence to employees.
- Training: Provide annual training to employees on the plan, violence prevention strategies, and reporting procedures.
- Response Procedures: Establish clear steps for responding to actual or potential workplace violence emergencies.
- Recordkeeping: Maintain records of violence incidents, hazard identification, and training for specified periods.
Enforcement and Resources
The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) enforces these requirements. They offer a model workplace violence prevention plan as a resource for employers.
Next Steps
- ADP TotalSource highly recommends all clients operating in the state of California to review the new legislation. (https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=6401.9.&lawCode=LAB) It is important to understand the details of the law and how your organization and employees are impacted.
- Determine if your workplace is exempt.
- Develop or update your workplace violence prevention plan by July 1, 2024.
- Train employees on the plan, reporting an incident and their responsibilities.
What Guidance Can ADP Provide?
§ ADP TotalSource is actively working to revamp our current Workplace Violence Program with a goal to develop a comprehensive program that addresses the Workplace Violence needs of all clients.
§ ADP TotalSource has updated the Cal – OSHA Workplace Violence written program in the IIPP (Injury & Illness Prevention Plan) in the ADP Portal. Clients are also welcome to utilize the Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP) template plan issued by the state.
§ ADP can also assist with Workplace Violence employee training requirements through myLearning@ADP. Please note, in addition to the myLearning course(s) clients must review your organization’s WVPP, including employee rights under the law and how to recognize and report workplace violence incident specific to each location in order to meet the legislation requirements.
§ ADP TotalSource has developed a Cal- OSHA Workplace Violence Prevention Toolkit which includes the following appendixes:
A. WVPP CA Template
B. Workplace Violence Log
C. Reporting Work-Connected Fatalities and Serious Injuries (8 CCR 342); Definitions (8 CCR 330)
D. ADP Injury Investigation Form
Please feel free to connect with your Risk and Safety Consultant to for additional guidance and to request the Cal- OSHA Workplace Violence Prevention Toolkit.