California WVPP Training Requirements: What Employers Must Do
Under SB 553, California employers must provide workplace violence prevention training to all employees. This guide explains the training requirements, what to cover, and how to document compliance.
When must training be provided?
SB 553 requires training at three key points:
Initial training
When the WVPP is first established — every current employee must be trained.
Annual training
At least once per year thereafter, for all employees.
New hazard training
When new or previously unrecognized workplace violence hazards are identified.
What should the training cover?
The training should be tailored to your workplace and cover at minimum:
- The employer's WVPP and how to access it
- How to report workplace violence concerns or incidents
- How to recognize and respond to potential threats
- Specific hazards identified in your workplace assessment
- The employer's response procedures for incidents
- How to participate in the annual review process
Who needs to be trained?
All employees must be trained — including full-time, part-time, and temporary workers. Managers and supervisors should receive additional training on their responsibilities under the plan, including how to respond to reports and coordinate corrective actions.
How to document training
Documentation is critical for compliance. For each training session, keep:
- Employee name and role
- Training date and version/materials used
- Employee acknowledgment (signed or electronic)
- Training content summary
SafeWork CA includes a training records system where you can log each employee's training completion and acknowledgment, making it easy to prove compliance during an inspection.
SafeWork CA provides document organization and workflow software. It is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.