Now that the July 1, 2024 deadline has passed, California employers should already have their Workplace Violence Prevention Plans in place to comply with Senate Bill No. 553 (SB 553). Signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom in September 2023, SB 553 is the first of its kind in the U.S., requiring nearly all employers in California to create, adopt, and implement Workplace Violence Prevention Plans. The goal of SB 553 is “to create a safe and secure work environment, promote employee well-being, and protect an organization’s assets and reputation.”
These plans must be in writing and easily accessible by employees. Further, the law outlines specific components required in addition to the Workplace Violence Prevention Plans, including annual workplace violence prevention training, violent incident logs, and the creation and retention of records regarding every incident, post-incident, response, and workplace violation injury investigation.
“Workplace violence” is defined broadly as any act of violence or threat of violence that occurs in a place of employment. This includes, as expected, verbal and written threats of violence and incidents involving the use of firearms or dangerous weapons regardless of whether an employee sustains an injury. However, the definition also captures acts such as a threat that results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, psychological trauma, or stress, regardless of whether the employee sustains an injury.
Employers should now be well on their way to maintaining compliance with the detailed requirements under California Labor Code section 6401.9. If your organization hasn’t taken the necessary steps, it’s critical to act immediately to ensure compliance and protect both your employees and your business.
Need help navigating the ongoing requirements? Risk Resiliency has created a comprehensive checklist to assist your organization in managing its compliance journey. See below to download resources that explore the key requirements and best practices for establishing a Workplace Violence Prevention Program.
Additionally, if you’re looking for insights into lessons learned since the law’s implementation, check out our latest blog post here.
We’re here to support you. Risk Resiliency has worked with organizations like yours to ensure compliance and safeguard their employees, assets, and reputation. Let us help you protect your business too.