SB533: What You Need to Know About the New Legislation Taking Effect July 2024

SB 533, also referred to as the “Crisis Management and Workplace Safety Act,” focuses on enhancing workplace safety and reducing risks. Employers covered by this act must establish and execute a violence prevention plan tailored to their workplace, with active employee participation in its development and implementation.

Employers are required to regularly conduct workplace violence hazard inspections as outlined in the plan. Hazard assessments and inspections should occur during the plan's initial creation, after each incident, and whenever new hazards are identified or reported to the employer.

Who Is Covered? 

All California employees and employers are covered by SB 533 with the following notable exemptions:  

• Places of employment where less than 10 employees are working at any given time, and the location is not accessible by the public. The location must also comply with Cal/OSHA’s Injury and Illness Prevention Program Standard. 
• Employees telework from a location of their choice that is not under the employer’s control.  
• Healthcare facilities are already covered by Cal/OSHA’s Workplace Violence in Healthcare Standard. 
• Law enforcement agencies and several other facilities are outlined by SB 553.  

What Must Be Included In The Workplace Violence Prevention Plan?

The employer's written violence prevention plan must outline specific procedures to ensure workplace safety, including:

• Designating the responsible individual by name or job title for the plan.
• Describing active employee participation, involves ongoing hazard identification, training, and incident reporting.
• Establishing protocols for responding to reports of workplace violence.
• Implementing corrective actions upon identifying hazards.
• Outlining post-incident response and investigation procedures.
• Planning ongoing violence prevention assessments, required inspections, and hazard identification.
• Defining procedures for obtaining law enforcement assistance, evacuation plans, and handling workplace violence emergencies.
• Detailing the employee training process.
• Communicating methods for employees to report concerns without fear of retaliation.
• Establishing compliance procedures, such as recognizing safe work practices and implementing disciplinary actions when necessary.
• Conducting an annual evaluation of the plan.

The plan must be in writing, easily accessible to all employees, specific to each worksite, and continuously effective. It should also be customized for different locations if varying hazards exist across worksites.

Furthermore, the plan should be reviewed and updated annually, when any component proves ineffective, and after any incident of workplace violence. Please note: this plan can be integrated into an existing Injury Illness Prevention Plan (IIPP) or maintained as a separate document.

What are the SB 553 Training Requirements?

Under SB 553, employee training must occur initially when the workplace violence prevention plan is established, annually thereafter, and whenever modifications are made to the plan.

SB 553 training must be interactive, allowing employees to ask questions to someone knowledgeable about the employer’s plan. Training should explain how employees can participate in developing the workplace violence prevention plan.

Key training components include:

• Reviewing the employer’s workplace violence prevention plan and specific workplace hazards, with education on SB 553 definitions and requirements.
• Guidance on incident reporting, responding to violent threats, and strategies to prevent physical harm.
• Explanation of incident logs and job-specific hazards.
• Identification of unique workplace hazards based on location and job roles.

Due to the need for tailored training based on work locations and job functions, employers are encouraged to actively participate in developing training materials rather than relying on generic sources. 

Enhancing Crisis Preparedness: A Message From Dave Weiner, Founder & CEO of Secure Measures

Drawing from my experience as a police chief, I understand that effective crisis management extends beyond responding to emergencies—it requires proactive preparation. SB 553 mandates that organizations develop and maintain crisis management plans tailored to their specific needs, encompassing strategies for addressing various emergencies like natural disasters, active shooter incidents, and critical incidents. Secure Measures has long advocated for preparedness, and this law underscores the importance of proactive planning over-reactive responses.

During my tenure as a police chief, I witnessed firsthand the pivotal impact of preparedness during crises. Many organizations focus solely on reactive measures, neglecting the critical need for proactive planning. SB 553 represents a transformative shift, emphasizing that a well-crafted crisis management plan forms the foundation of effective response and recovery.

The legislation underscores the importance of customized crisis management plans, recognizing that each organization operates uniquely with its own set of risks and vulnerabilities. Secure Measures applauds this approach, aligning with our belief that generic solutions are insufficient for safeguarding lives and assets. Our dedication to tailored training and crisis management solutions perfectly complements the personalized approach mandated by SB 553.

Enhancing SB 553 Compliance with Secure Measures

At Secure Measures, we view SB 553 as an opportunity for businesses to prioritize workplace safety, not just meet legal obligations. Our expertise lies in creating and maintaining robust crisis management plans, conducting thorough risk assessments, and delivering targeted training programs that align with SB 553's stringent requirements.

We understand that each business is unique. That's why our approach ensures that the crisis management plans we develop are comprehensive strategies tailored to address the specific needs and challenges of each organization. Our commitment goes beyond mere compliance; we aim to empower employees at all levels with the knowledge and skills needed to confidently respond to emergencies.

With the right approach and guidance from Secure Measures, California businesses can not only meet SB 553 mandates but also cultivate a safety-focused culture that permeates every aspect of their operations.