Workplace Violence Prevention Plan and Training Required in California Since July 1, 2024

California Senate Bill 553 went into effect on July 1, 2024 (this topic was originally covered in a prior EP alert from November 21, 2023).  Under this law, employers must train their employees in California about the different types of workplace violence hazards and how the employer will protect employees from and respond to these hazards.  This law applies to almost every employer with employees in California (although there are exceptions for corrections facilities, law enforcement agencies, teleworkers, places of employment where there are fewer than ten employees working at a place not accessible to the public, and healthcare facilities).  The law does not just impose a one-time requirement, but rather sets forth a continuing obligation that requires annual employee training, regular interval plan reassessment, and detailed recordkeeping.  Cal/OSHA is expected to enforce all of these requirements through inspections, citations, and hefty fines.  To assist employers, Cal/OSHA has published a resources page and FAQs about the law’s requirements (available here).