The latest draft refines employer responsibilities for hazard assessments, training, and incident response.

• By Stasia DeMarco
• Aug 05, 2026

California's Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board has released a revised discussion draft of its proposed workplace violence prevention regulation for general industry, marking another step toward a permanent Cal/OSHA standard scheduled for adoption by the end of 2026.

The updated draft clarifies employer responsibilities under the state's workplace violence prevention law, including requirements for written prevention plans, employee involvement, hazard assessments, emergency response procedures, training, post-incident investigations, and methods for correcting workplace violence hazards. The proposal also refines provisions related to employer-provided transportation and small-employer exemptions.

California employers have been required since July 1, 2024, to establish and maintain written Workplace Violence Prevention Plans under Senate Bill 553 and Labor Code Section 6401.9. The forthcoming regulation is intended to provide a formal Cal/OSHA standard that expands on those statutory requirements.

The revised draft is open for public comment through Aug. 17, 2026, before the Standards Board begins the formal rulemaking process. State law requires the board to adopt the final workplace violence prevention standard by Dec. 31, 2026.

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