California’s Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (Board), is currently considering comments, feedback, suggestions and recommendations from California employers and labor representatives on the topic of further revisions to the state’s Workplace Violence Prevention Plan law (SB 553).  

As discussed here, SB 533 requires the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) to propose a workplace violence prevention standard by December 31, 2025, and adopt a standard no later than December 31, 2026. On November 13, 2025, an advisory committee to the Board met to discuss several issues relating to proposed revisions to a draft regulation. Issues discussed included exceptions for smaller employers, various definitions including but not limited to the definition of “workplace violence hazards” and “employee representative.”   

The Board is expected to review the feedback provided by the advisory committee and issue a revised draft regulation in early 2026. Western Growers will continue to monitor Board developments and provide updates as they are announced.