The 4 Types of Workplace Violence: What California Employers Must Know
Understand Types 1-4 workplace violence as defined for SB 553 compliance — criminal intent, customer/client, worker-on-worker, and personal relationship.
Quick Answer
California categorizes workplace violence into four types that employers must address in their WVPP: Type 1 (Criminal Intent) — perpetrator has no relationship to the business. Type 2 (Customer/Client) — perpetrator is receiving services. Type 3 (Worker-on-Worker) — perpetrator is a current or former employee. Type 4 (Personal Relationship) — perpetrator has a personal relationship with an employee. Your WVPP must identify which types pose the greatest risk to your workplace and include prevention measures for each.
Type 1: Criminal Intent
The perpetrator has no legitimate relationship with the business or employees. Examples include armed robbery, trespassing with violent intent, vandalism, and terrorist acts. Industries at highest risk: retail (especially late-night operations), convenience stores, gas stations, banks, and any business handling cash. Prevention measures: access control, cash management procedures, lighting, surveillance, panic buttons, and employee training on robbery response.
Type 2: Customer/Client
The perpetrator is a customer, client, patient, student, or someone the business serves. This is the most common type in healthcare, social services, education, and service industries. Examples: patient assaulting a nurse, client threatening a social worker, customer attacking a retail worker. Prevention measures: de-escalation training, visitor management, environmental design, staffing levels, and clear policies on refusing service to threatening individuals.
Type 3: Worker-on-Worker
The perpetrator is a current or former employee, supervisor, or manager. Includes physical assaults, bullying, harassment, intimidation, and threats between coworkers. Can also include violence by a terminated employee returning to the workplace. Prevention measures: clear workplace conduct policies, conflict resolution procedures, management training on recognizing warning signs, employee assistance programs, and secure termination procedures.
Type 4: Personal Relationship
The perpetrator has a personal relationship with an employee — domestic violence, stalking, or personal disputes that carry into the workplace. The employee is typically the target, but coworkers can be affected. Prevention measures: policies supporting employees experiencing domestic violence, confidential reporting mechanisms, safety planning for affected employees, workplace restraining orders, and training on recognizing warning signs.
Addressing All Four Types in Your WVPP
Your WVPP must address all four types of workplace violence, but the depth of coverage should reflect your actual risk profile. A retail store handling cash has high Type 1 and Type 2 risk. A corporate office has higher Type 3 and Type 4 risk. A hospital faces all four types at elevated levels. Your hazard identification section should assess your exposure to each type and your prevention measures should be proportional to the risk.
Summary
California categorizes workplace violence into four types that employers must address in their WVPP: Type 1 (Criminal Intent) — perpetrator has no relationship to the business. Type 2 (Customer/Client) — perpetrator is receiving services. Type 3 (Worker-on-Worker) — perpetrator is a current or former employee. Type 4 (Personal Relationship) — perpetrator has a personal relationship with an employee. Your WVPP must identify which types pose the greatest risk to your workplace and include prevention measures for each.
Build Your WVPP Addressing All 4 Types →