Two new regulations went into effect in July that impacted almost every business in California.
- The California Workplace Violence Prevention Program (WVPP) effective July 1, 2024.
- The Indoor Heat Policy effective July 23, 2024.
California’s Workplace Violence Prevention Program (WVPP) is a set of regulations to protect employees from workplace violence. This regulation requires a written program, procedures for reporting and investigating workplace violence incidents, and annual training.
The goal of the program is to protect employees from physical assaults, threats, and other violent behaviors that may arise in the workplace. These regulations were shaped by the recognition that violence can occur in any workplace but is especially common in certain sectors like healthcare, retail, and public service.
California’s Heat Illness Prevention in Indoor Places of Employment is designed to protect workers from the hazards of excessive heat in indoor environments. The state has recognized that high temperatures in workplaces can cause heat-related illnesses, reduced productivity, and even fatal outcomes. While California’s Outdoor Heat Illness Prevention Standard has been in place since 2005, the state moved forward with developing regulations specifically for indoor workplaces due to increasing concerns about heat exposure.
Conditions under which an indoor work area is subject to this regulation are:
- The temperature equals or exceeds 87 degrees Fahrenheit when employees are present; or
- The heat index equals or exceeds 87 degrees Fahrenheit when employees are present;
- Employees wear clothing that restricts heat removal and the temperature equals or exceeds 82 degrees Fahrenheit; or
- Employees work in a high radiant heat area and the temperature equals or exceeds 82 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Heat Illness Prevention in Indoor Places of Employment requires an assessment of heat risks that considers temperature, humidity and heat-producing equipment, a written program, water and a cool rest down area, and training
If you have questions, or need more information or assistance to comply with these new regulations, please contact [email protected].
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