SB 553 Compliance Guide: What California Small Employers Need to Know

If you run a small business in California, SB 553 applies to you. This guide breaks down what the law requires, who needs to comply, and what steps you should take — in plain language.

What is SB 553?

Senate Bill 553 is California legislation that requires nearly all employers in the state to establish, implement, and maintain an effective Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP). The law was signed in September 2023 and took effect July 1, 2024.

Who must comply with SB 553?

SB 553 applies to virtually all California employers, regardless of size. There are very limited exemptions, primarily for employers with fewer than 10 employees who work remotely and are not accessible to the public.

If your business has a physical workplace in California and employs anyone — even one person — you most likely need to comply.

Key requirements of SB 553

• A written Workplace Violence Prevention Plan
• Procedures for identifying and evaluating workplace violence hazards
• Procedures for correcting identified hazards
• Employee training on the plan and workplace violence prevention
• A violent incident log for every incident
• Procedures for post-incident investigation and response
• Annual review and update of the plan
• Employee involvement in developing and reviewing the plan

What should your WVPP include?

Your Workplace Violence Prevention Plan must be a written document that covers specific elements required by Cal/OSHA Title 8, Section 3342. These include identifying who is responsible for the plan, how employees report incidents, how hazards are identified and corrected, how employees are trained, and how the plan is reviewed annually.

Training requirements

Employers must provide workplace violence prevention training when the plan is first established, annually thereafter, and when new hazards are identified. Training should cover the plan's procedures, how to report incidents, how to recognize warning signs, and how to respond during an emergency.

How to comply as a small employer

The most practical approach for small employers is to use compliance software like SafeWork CA, which guides you through the required steps and generates a draft plan from your answers. You can then review, customize, and approve the plan, log hazards and incidents, track training, and export a complete binder for inspections.