Each passing year witnesses far too many workplace violence incidents across the nation, with thousands of workers falling victim to assaults. According to OSHA, nearly 2 million American workers are affected by workplace violence annually. Specifically within California, Cal/OSHA reports that 57 working people died from acts of workplace violence in the state in 2021. 

For six years, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) worked to create a Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP), and SB 553 required all businesses to have a compliant WVPP in place by July 1, 2024. This pivotal legislation empowered Cal/OSHA to create an enforceable standard to prevent workplace violence, ensuring that all California workplaces have measures to prevent and respond to workplace violence.

As businesses across California implement the new mandated standards, companies across the United States can learn from the initiative and also create safeguards for their employees' wellbeing. Creating a safer environment for all employees should be a priority for all businesses and by implementing a WVPP, companies can both protect employees from potential harm and reduce the risk of costly legal issues and liability. For California businesses, there are also financial penalties for not complying with the regulations – Cal/OSHA will enforce the law and apply penalties starting at $25,000.