Essential Steps for California Employers to Comply with WVPP Regulations by 2024

California is set to implement a new law requiring most employers to establish a comprehensive Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP) by July 1, 2024. The legislation, enforced by the state Division of Occupational Safety and Health, mandates these plans to be specifically tailored to the workplace’s unique hazards and risks. The law applies to most organizations unless they have fewer than 10 employees, are not accessible to the public, or already comply with specific safety regulations.
Under the new regulations, workplace violence is broadly defined to include physical assaults, threats, intimidation, harassment, stalking, verbal abuse, and other violent crimes. Employers are tasked with identifying potential hazards and developing strategies to mitigate these risks, ensuring a safe working environment for all employees, regardless of their role or the nature of their work.
Key components of the required WVPP include conducting risk assessments, developing written plans detailing the implementation and management of the program, and providing employees with training on how to recognize, respond to, and report incidents of workplace violence. This training must be completed by July 1, 2025, or within six months of an employee’s start date or assignment to a new role, and must be offered at no cost to the employees. Employers are also required to review and update their WVPP annually to ensure its effectiveness.
The initiative underscores the importance of a proactive approach to workplace safety, emphasizing the need for clear communication, proper training, and ongoing evaluation of violence prevention strategies. Employers are encouraged to consult with human resources and legal professionals to ensure compliance and to tailor their WVPP to their specific workplace environment, thereby enhancing protection against workplace violence and its potentially devastating impacts on employees.