As you know, California recently passed a new workplace safety law requiring employers to establish, implement, and maintain an effective workplace violence prevention plan. CalOSHA has now issued a model plan, which includes the requirements described below.
The workplace violence prevention plans:
- Require all employers to maintain a Violent Incident Log of all violent incidents against employees as well as post-incident investigations.
- Require staff to know how to obtain help from the law enforcement or staff assigned to respond to workplace violence emergencies.
- Allow an employee representative to be a petitioner for a temporary workplace violence restraining order.
- As part of maintaining the currently-required Injury Illness Prevention Plan, identify those responsible for implementing the plan, including roles, trainings, and protocols for assessing and reacting to threats of workplace violence. Employers must annually review the plan.
- Require employers to explain to employees how to report violent incidents without fear of retaliation, and how their concerns will be addressed.
- Lay out procedures for responding to violent emergencies, including alerts about emergencies, feasible evacuation or sheltering plans, and obtaining assistance from staff, security, or law enforcement.
Employers must develop their plans by the law’s July 1, 2024 effective date.
