On May 13, 2025, Cal/OSHA issued a new draft of its proposed Workplace Violence Prevention in General Industry regulation, which updates its previously issued July 15, 2024 version. This May 2025 version incorporates advisory committee meeting feedback, and further regulation guidance is anticipated by the end of 2025.

Key Changes to the July 2024 Workplace Violence Prevention Plan Requirements:

• “Confronting Criminals” Ban Removed – the new draft replaces the prior ban with new language which prevents employers from “retaliat[ing]” against an employee involved in self-defense or the defense of others. This is a sharp departure from the prior language, which prohibited and discouraged employers from having employees engaging with those suspected of criminal activity. This shift in Cal/OSHA’s approach regarding workplace violence and employee confrontations will likely generate further comments and questions as it relates to employer liability, training, and enforcement.
• Scope and Exemption Clarification – the new draft regulations proposed by Cal/OSHA revises how employee headcount is defined for purposes of applicability of the Workplace Violence Prevention Plan requirements. Previously, employee headcount was unclear and ambiguous as to its application, defining headcount as “10 employees working at the place at any given time.” The new language provides much-needed clarity, refining the definition of employee headcount to a total headcount of “less than a total of...

Read Full Story: https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiqAFBVV95cUxPUHBCSW5HQ2ZDZ1c5Y2hFZ3Rx...