ThinkLP Presenters:
- Johnny Custer, Senior Director of Retail Risk Solutions
- Brooke Logel, Sales Engineer
Incidents of violent behavior are increasingly occurring in public spaces such as sporting events, bars, nightclubs, schools, and workplaces. In response, new legislation is being introduced to address workplace violence prevention.
Watch our webinar and learn more about how ThinkLP can help with workplace violence prevention and compliance.
California’s Senate Bill 553
California’s Senate Bill 553 (SB 553) requires employers covered by California Labor Code (LC) 6401.7 and LC 6401.9 to establish, implement, and maintain an effective written Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP) by July 1st, 2024.
SB 553 addresses employer responsibilities related to:
- Developing workplace violence prevention strategies
- Employee training
- Ongoing education
- Required record keeping
New York has passed similar legislation effective early next year, with other states expected to follow.
Understanding the Key Focus Areas of SB 553
SB 553 outlines four primary areas of focus for employers:
First, companies must develop, implement, and maintain written Workplace Violence Prevention Plans. These plans serve as comprehensive guides for addressing potential threats.
Second, ongoing training programs are required. Employees must be trained in violence prevention, including how to recognize warning signs and follow proper response procedures.
Third, thorough record-keeping is essential. Employers must maintain detailed records of incidents, investigations, and corrective actions taken. These records must be accessible for potential state inspections.
Lastly, employee representatives must be involved in developing the WVPP, ensuring that workers’ perspectives are considered in the prevention strategies.
What Employers Need to Know About Their Responsibilities
The new bill significantly expands the scope of workplace violence prevention requirements. Previously focused on healthcare, these regulations now apply to most employees in California. Cal/OSHA has been empowered to enforce these requirements through inspections and citations, ensuring compliance across industries.
WVPPs must be integrated with company emergency action plans for a coordinated response to violent incidents. It’s important to note that employees should not be required to confront violent individuals as part of their duties. In addition, employers are encouraged to seek temporary restraining orders or injunctions against individuals who pose credible threats to employee safety.
ThinkLP Can Help You With an Easy-to-Use Solution for Reporting and Retention of Workplace Violence Incidents
Our reporting solution allows for detailed documentation of workplace violence events, providing a thorough approach to incident management. Key features include:
- Reporting incidents from desktop or mobile devices
- Tracking location-specific data tracking and cross-site comparison
- Documentation of various incident types, including weapon-related events and animal attacks
- Monitoring court proceedings or restraining orders
- Assigning investigators and automating workflows
- Ensuring compliance with current regulations, such as California SB 533
- Including police details and related legal information
By aggregating data on all involved individuals – including employees, representatives, victims, witnesses, and suspects – the system offers a comprehensive view of each incident and identifies areas for improvement, enabling more effective risk management and prevention strategies.
Keep Track of All Your Data
A central dashboard brings together important data, letting safety managers monitor incidents across locations, examine data by district, and adjust views to their needs. This approach helps in making informed decisions, spotting issues early, and completing investigations on time.
The system allows for easy submission of accident and injury reports, tracking of lost time, and monitoring of safety inspections. It also helps create and submit OSHA reports, highlighting areas of non-compliance to address issues quickly.
To learn more about how ThinkLP can help with workplace violence prevention and compliance, you may want to watch our webinar.
