SB 553 Enforcement Tracker
Monitoring Cal/OSHA enforcement of California's workplace violence prevention law. Updated as new enforcement data becomes available.
Current Enforcement Level
Low — But Rising
Cal/OSHA enforcement has been minimal in the first 20 months since SB 553 took effect. Formal standards due December 2026 will mark the enforcement inflection point.
Last updated: February 2025
July 2024
SB 553 effective date
~0
Public SB 553-specific citations
Dec 2026
Formal standards deadline
500K+
CA employers required to comply
Enforcement Timeline
Sep 30, 2023
Governor Newsom signs SB 553 into law
Jul 1, 2024
SB 553 takes effect — all employers must comply
Jul 2024 – Present
Enforcement is complaint-driven; inspectors being trained on new requirements
WE ARE HEREJul 1, 2025
First annual WVPP reviews and refresher training due for early adopters
Dec 31, 2026
Cal/OSHA formal workplace violence prevention standards due — expected enforcement inflection point
2027+
Full proactive enforcement expected with programmed inspections
What This Means for Employers
The Risk
Low enforcement does not mean low risk. Cal/OSHA can cite you during ANY inspection — even ones triggered by unrelated complaints. Employee complaints about missing WVPPs are investigated. One disgruntled employee filing a complaint can trigger a full SB 553 review.
The Opportunity
Getting compliant now — while enforcement is low — means you avoid the rush when formal standards hit in 2026. Employers who comply early have time to refine their plans, build training habits, and be genuinely prepared rather than scrambling under pressure.
Don't Wait for the First Citation
The employers who get cited first are the ones who wait until enforcement ramps up. Get ahead of it now.
Enforcement FAQs
Has Cal/OSHA issued any SB 553 citations?
As of early 2025, Cal/OSHA has issued very few SB 553-specific citations. Enforcement has been complaint-driven rather than proactive. However, formal standards are due by December 31, 2026, which is expected to be an enforcement inflection point with significantly increased inspection activity.
When will SB 553 enforcement increase?
Cal/OSHA is expected to ramp up enforcement significantly after formal workplace violence prevention standards are finalized, due by December 31, 2026. However, Cal/OSHA can already cite employers under the existing statute (Labor Code 6401.9) during any workplace inspection.
Can Cal/OSHA cite me for SB 553 during a regular inspection?
Yes. Cal/OSHA inspectors can review SB 553 compliance during any workplace inspection — not just inspections specifically triggered by workplace violence complaints. Any inspection for any reason can include a request to see your WVPP, VIL, and training records.
How does Cal/OSHA prioritize SB 553 inspections?
Cal/OSHA prioritizes inspections based on imminent danger, fatalities, employee complaints, referrals, programmed inspections in high-hazard industries, and follow-up inspections. Employee complaints about missing WVPPs are investigated and can trigger full SB 553 compliance review.