July marks a year since California’s landmark workplace violence prevention law, SB 553, took effect, and that means it’s time for businesses to take a closer look at their WVPP training programs. The law, which became effective July 1, 2024, requires nearly all California employers to implement a Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP) and provide employee training on how to recognize and respond to violent incidents at work.
If you haven’t already updated your workplace violence prevention efforts, now’s the time to act.
Why Is This Important?
SB 553 was passed to help create safer workplaces and reduce the risk of violence across all industries. It mandates that employers must:
Develop a written WVPP.
Train employees on recognizing and responding to threats or incidents.
Maintain a log of workplace violence incidents.
Tailor training to the specific hazards of their jobsite.
The one-year mark is not just a milestone, it’s a reminder to review and refresh your training and documentation, especially if your workplace has experienced staffing changes, location updates, or any other factors that may impact safety.
Infinium HR Can Help
At Infinium HR, we understand that small and mid-sized businesses may not have the in-house resources to fully manage compliance with this new regulation. That’s why we’ve created practical, accessible solutions to meet your needs:
Online Workplace Violence Prevention Training – A ready-to-use course that meets the state’s basic training requirements for general awareness and compliance. Perfect for onboarding or annual refresher training.
Custom Site-Specific Questionnaire – We’ve developed a straightforward tool to help you identify risks and create a location-specific violence prevention plan, including remote worksites. This ensures your training aligns with the real risks your employees face.
HR Support to Stay Compliant – Our team is ready to help you review your policies, update your documentation, and guide you through the requirements of SB 553.
Don’t Wait Until There’s an Incident
Workplace violence prevention is not just a legal requirement; it’s a core part of a healthy workplace culture. As we hit the one-year anniversary of SB 553, now is the perfect time to update your training, refine your prevention plan, and ensure your team knows what to do if a threat arises.