Workplace Violence Prevention Program (WVPP)
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Background
On September 30, 2023, Governor Newsom signed into law Senate Bill 553 (SB 553), which details new occupational safety measures for nearly all California employers, including UCI’s main campus. This legislation mandates the development and implementation of a Workplace Violence Prevention Program by July 1, 2024, to help ensure the safety and well-being of all employees, students, and visitors.
These are the highlights the following SB 553 key provisions that will impact the UCI campus:
- Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP): Develop and implement WVPP specific to the hazards and corrective measures for each work area and operation. The plan builds upon existing protocols such as responding to emergencies, evacuation plans, post-incident response and investigation procedures, and more.
- Recording Violent Incidents: Each incident must be recorded in a violent incident log, detailing information such as the date, time, location, type of violence, and consequences of the incident. The information in these logs will help track trends and identify areas for improvement.
- Employee Training: Employees training will include recognizing and avoiding workplace violence, reporting incidents or concerns, and accessing support services. This mandatory training will need to be completed annually.
- Compliance with California Division of Occupational Health and Safety (Cal/OSHA): Inalignment with existing Cal/OSHA regulations, our university will fully comply with the occupational safety requirements outlined in SB 553. This commitment underscores UCI’s dedication to safeguarding the well-being of our community.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
There is no universally accepted definition for workplace violence, and it is defined differently by various entities. At the UCI Campus, workplace violence includes those events that meet the definitions set by Cal/OSHA.
Cal/OSHA defines workplace violence as: “any act of violence or threat of violence against an employee that occurs at the worksite.” It does not include “lawful acts of self-defense or defense of others.” The definition also includes an event “involving the threat or use of a firearm or other dangerous weapon, including the use of common objects as weapons, regardless of whether the employee sustains an injury.”
Anyone who experiences a workplace violence act or threat at UCI campus should submit an incident report using the online reporting tool (at the top of this page). In the event of an emergency, in response to an actual or potential workplace violence incident or concern, UCI affiliated can obtain assistance from UCIPD and/or security personnel by:
- Dialing or texting 9-1-1.
- Activating the nearest Emergency Blue Light Phone.
- Activating a duress/panic alarm, if available in your work area.
To empower our community with the knowledge and skills to recognize and avoid workplace violence, mandatory WVPP annual training was developed and managed by the University Office of the President (UCOP). This training should take approximately 25 minutes to complete, and covers how to report incidents or concerns without fear of retaliation and how to access available support services. This training is required to be completed by all staff, faculty, and student workers within 30 days of assignment.
Need Assistance?
William Huey
Workplace Violence Prevention Program Manager
workplaceviolence@hs.uci.edu