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SB 553 is a California law requiring employers to implement a Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP) by July 1, 2024. It applies to most California employers and mandates written procedures, training, and reporting mechanisms to protect workers from workplace violence—including threats, harassment, or physical assault.
The law, enacted through Senate Bill 553, was designed to proactively reduce workplace violence incidents by creating safer, more responsive environments for all employees. SB 553 marks a major shift by requiring non-healthcare industries to comply with standards previously limited to healthcare workplaces.
At Emtrain, we help organizations understand the law, prepare compliant WVPPs, and deliver engaging workforce training that builds awareness and confidence around violence prevention.
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Workplace violence has long been a concern in industries such as healthcare, but incidents across retail, hospitality, education, and office settings have increased in recent years. In response to high-profile incidents and growing advocacy from workers and safety groups, California lawmakers passed SB 553 in 2023, creating the first comprehensive, non-healthcare-specific violence prevention mandate in the U.S.
SB 553 requires a written Workplace Violence Prevention Plan, developed with employee input and covering hazard assessments, procedures for responding to incidents, employee training, and recordkeeping.
Example 1:
A customer threatens a retail associate over a return policy. The associate reports it, but the manager has no formal protocol to handle or document the incident—leading to repeated verbal abuse.
Example 2:
An office worker receives threatening emails from a former colleague. The company lacks a written prevention plan and fails to coordinate with building security or law enforcement.
Example 3:
A warehouse supervisor physically intimidates team members during shift changes. Employees feel unsafe but aren’t trained on how or where to report it—and fear retaliation.
SB 553 is designed to prevent these scenarios by requiring plans, procedures, and training to respond quickly and protect workers.
Organizations must take steps now to meet SB 553 requirements. This includes collaborating with employees to draft or update your Workplace Violence Prevention Plan, training all staff, and keeping detailed records of hazards and incidents.
The law emphasizes prevention, preparedness, and employee involvement—not just reaction after an incident. Training is a key part of compliance and culture-building.
Preparing for SB 553 involves several compliance-focused actions:
Develop or update a Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP) in writing
Conduct workplace hazard assessments across physical and digital environments
Involve employees in identifying risks and reviewing procedures
Train all employees on identifying, preventing, and reporting workplace violence
Establish incident response protocols and communication plans
Maintain records of training, incidents, and hazard assessments
Review and update procedures annually or after any workplace violence event
Assign responsible individuals for overseeing compliance and training delivery
Use a third-party expert (like Emtrain) to ensure WVPP compliance
Embed safety practices into onboarding and refresher training
Hold leadership accountable for modeling respectful and preventive behavior
Make reporting processes easy, confidential, and free from retaliation
Conduct role-specific training based on risk levels (e.g., security, customer-facing staff)
Stay updated on Cal/OSHA guidance and enforcement updates
Course: Workplace Violence Training
This course provides comprehensive, SB 553-aligned training on violence prevention, risk reduction, and incident response.
Checklist Download: SB 553 Workplace Violence Prevention Plan Essentials
This downloadable checklist helps HR and safety teams ensure their WVPP meets Cal/OSHA requirements.
Blog: What California’s SB 553 Means for Employers
This article provides a legal overview, timeline, and implementation tips for businesses navigating SB 553 compliance.
Webinar: How To Comply With CA’s New Workplace Violence Prevention Plan By July 1, 2024
Attorney and Workplace Investigator Rebecca Speer and Janine Yancey held a talk with CA State Senator Dave Cortese. Together, they outlined how to comply by with SB 553 July 1st and answered frequently asked questions about the bill. They discussed both the workplace violence prevention plan as well as the workplace violence training that is required annually as a component of the plan.
