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Home›Courses›HR Compliance›Workplace Violence Prevention for Supervisors in California

Workplace Violence Prevention for Supervisors in California

18 minutesENHR ComplianceCalifornia SB 553 (Labor Code Section 6401.9)
Quick Answer

Workplace Violence Prevention for Supervisors in California is an 18-minute online course that trains supervisors on their responsibilities under California Senate Bill 553 (Labor Code Section 6401.9). It is designed for managers and supervisors at California workplaces and includes a downloadable certificate of completion.

Course Overview

California Senate Bill 553, effective July 1, 2024, requires virtually every employer in the state to implement a written Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP) and provide annual training to all employees. Supervisors carry additional responsibilities under the law, including identifying workplace violence hazards, responding to reports, and ensuring that prevention plans are followed. Non-compliance can result in Cal/OSHA citations with penalties up to $25,000 for serious violations and up to $162,851 for willful or repeat violations.

This course prepares your supervisors and managers to meet their specific obligations under SB 553. It covers the four types of workplace violence defined by the law, how to recognize warning signs, proper incident reporting procedures, and the employer's duty to maintain a Violent Incident Log. Your supervisors will learn how to respond to threats, support affected employees, and maintain the required five-year recordkeeping standards.

What You'll Learn

  • California SB 553 requirements and supervisor-specific obligations under Labor Code Section 6401.9
  • The four types of workplace violence defined by California law and how to identify each
  • Developing and maintaining an effective Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP)
  • Recognizing early warning signs including behavioral changes, threats, and escalation patterns
  • Incident reporting procedures and Violent Incident Log documentation requirements
  • Employer recordkeeping obligations, including the five-year retention mandate
  • Responding to active threats and coordinating with law enforcement

Who Needs This Training

  • Supervisors and managers at California worksites with 10 or more employees
  • Department leads responsible for implementing the Workplace Violence Prevention Plan
  • HR directors overseeing SB 553 compliance across multiple locations
  • Safety managers coordinating annual training and plan reviews
  • Team leads in retail, healthcare, manufacturing, and public-facing roles
  • Any supervisory employee required to complete annual SB 553 training

Regulatory Background

California Senate Bill 553, signed by Governor Newsom in September 2023 and enforceable since July 1, 2024, added Section 6401.9 to the California Labor Code. It requires nearly all California employers to establish, implement, and maintain a written Workplace Violence Prevention Plan as part of their Injury and Illness Prevention Program. The law applies to employers with 10 or more employees or any workplace accessible to the public. Cal/OSHA enforces the requirements through inspections and citations, with penalties ranging from $16,285 for general violations to $162,851 for willful or repeat offenses. Employers must maintain all records related to workplace violence incidents for a minimum of five years and provide annual training to all employees. California is the first state to mandate industry-agnostic workplace violence prevention requirements at this scale.

Frequently Asked Questions

Under SB 553, supervisors must be trained on the employer's Workplace Violence Prevention Plan, know how to identify and respond to workplace violence hazards, and understand reporting and documentation requirements. Supervisors are expected to receive reports from employees, coordinate incident response, and ensure the WVPP is accessible and followed in their work areas.
Cal/OSHA enforces SB 553 through citations and fines. As of 2025, penalties range from $16,285 for general violations to $25,000 for serious violations, and up to $162,851 for willful or repeat violations. Employers may also face increased civil liability if a workplace violence incident occurs without a compliant prevention plan in place.
California SB 553 requires initial training when the Workplace Violence Prevention Plan is first established and annual training thereafter. Additional training is required when new hazards are identified, when the plan is updated, or when a supervisor is newly assigned to a covered workplace.
Exemptions apply to workplaces with fewer than 10 employees that are not open to the public, employees who telework from locations not controlled by the employer, healthcare facilities already covered under Cal/OSHA Section 3342, and law enforcement and corrections facilities with separate workplace violence standards.
Yes. SB 553 does not specify a delivery format for training. Online interactive training that covers all required topics - including the employer's WVPP, hazard identification, incident reporting, and emergency response procedures - satisfies the statutory training requirement. Employers must maintain training records for at least one year.

Related Courses

California employers building a comprehensive compliance program often pair this supervisor course with Workplace Violence Prevention in California for general employees to ensure all staff levels are trained under SB 553. Organizations with nationwide operations may also benefit from Workplace Violence training to address federal OSHA General Duty Clause obligations outside California.

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$24.95
per person
Volume Pricing
Team Size Price per Person
1 - 9$24.95
10 - 24$19.95
25 - 49$17.95
50 - 99$17.50
Subtotal $24.95

Certificate of completion included. Downloadable upon passing the final assessment.

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$24.95
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