On March 27, 2024, the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) released a series of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) addressing Workplace Violence Prevention in General Industry (Non-Health Care Settings). These FAQs delve into various aspects of the Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP), covering its implementation, customization, training, and recordkeeping.
One FAQ specifically addresses a common query among school district members regarding the logging of incidents involving special education students, such as hair-pulling or biting educators, where the students may not have the intent to harm. Cal/OSHA has clarified that regardless of whether the act was intentional or not, this type of incident would be categorized as "Type 2 Violence,” and these incidents must be logged on the Violent Incident Log.
We urge you to review your reporting procedures to ensure that employees will be directed to report such incidents and that administrators are prepared to log all of these types of incidents on the Violent Incident Log starting July 1, 2024. If you have any inquiries or wish to discuss SB 553 or Workplace Violence further, please don't hesitate to contact Scarlett Sadler.