--- title: "California SB 553 workplace violence training requirements" description: "What SB 553 asks California employers to train staff on, how often, what to record, and where the health care rule adds de-escalation practice." canonical: https://peopletechrevolution.com/learn/standards/california-sb-553-training --- [Learn](https://peopletechrevolution.com/learn) / Standards # SB 553 training: what California employers must teach A written plan, annual training and a person to answer questions. Health care adds de-escalation practice with colleagues. The moment ## A shop floor, a service counter, a front desk SB 553 reaches almost every California employer outside health care. It is written for the [customer who turns on a retail worker](https://peopletechrevolution.com/xr/customer-aggression-training), the visitor at reception, and the [member of the public at a service counter](https://peopletechrevolution.com/work/industries/government-public-sector). A cafe manager briefs a new barista. An officer listens across the service counter. A frustrated visitor at the library desk. What it asks ## A written plan, then training on it [Labor Code section 6401.9](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=LAB§ionNum=6401.9) requires a workplace violence prevention plan, and training when the plan is first established and annually after that. A team leader runs a short huddle. ### Every year, and again when things change Training material suits the education, literacy and language of the staff. Additional training follows a new or previously unrecognised hazard, or a change to the plan. A visitor waits at the reception counter. ### What the training covers The plan and how to get a copy. How to report incidents or concerns without fear of reprisal. The hazards of each job, the corrective measures in place, how to seek help, and strategies to avoid physical harm. The violent incident log. A wheelchair user chairs a three-person meeting. ### A person who knows the plan Training includes an opportunity for interactive questions and answers with a person knowledgeable about the plan. The health care rule ## Where California names de-escalation SB 553 never uses the word. The state’s health care rule does, and it asks for practice. Two clinicians, one hard corridor conversation. ### Practice with colleagues, then a debrief The [health care rule](https://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/3342.html) names verbal intervention and de-escalation techniques for staff who confront or control aggressive people. It adds an opportunity to practise with the colleagues they work with, including a meeting to debrief the session. A resident, arms folded, at his door. ### Which rule applies Health care operations covered by the [health care rule](https://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/3342.html) are excluded from SB 553. A retailer, warehouse or office works to SB 553; a hospital, home health service or drug treatment program works to the health care rule. A parks officer at the tailgate of a ute. ### Records Training records are kept for at least one year, and hazard records for at least five. See [workplace violence training records](https://peopletechrevolution.com/learn/standards/workplace-violence-training-records). Where practice fits ## The plan names the hazards, practice meets them SB 553 asks staff to know how to seek help and avoid physical harm. [VR de-escalation training](https://peopletechrevolution.com/xr/vr-de-escalation-training) and [AI roleplay practice](https://peopletechrevolution.com/ai/ai-roleplay-practice) turn that into something they have done. A customer at the counter, in practice. A facilitator on hand for questions. A supervisor coaches a colleague at the desk. Beyond California ## The same duty in other places SB 553 is one of several [US workplace violence training rules](https://peopletechrevolution.com/learn/standards/workplace-violence-training-united-states), and employers in Australia meet the same moments. A customer waits for your answer. ### Other US states [Nevada](https://peopletechrevolution.com/learn/standards/nevada-workplace-violence-training) copied the practice and debrief clause for medical facilities, and [New York retail employers](https://peopletechrevolution.com/learn/standards/new-york-retail-worker-safety-act) train on de-escalation tactics. ### Australia Australian employers manage customer aggression as a [psychosocial hazard](https://peopletechrevolution.com/learn/standards/psychosocial-hazards), and [Victoria’s regulations](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/statutory-rules/occupational-health-and-safety-psychological-health-regulations-2025/001) name aggression and violence outright. See [psychosocial hazards training for managers](https://peopletechrevolution.com/work/industries/workplace-enterprise). Questions ## What employers ask first Short answers to the questions that follow a first reading of the law. A hard conversation, rehearsed face to face. ### Does SB 553 require de-escalation training? The statute never uses the word. De-escalation appears in the health care rule, which also asks for practice with colleagues and a debrief. A community nurse greets an older woman at her door. ### Can SB 553 training be delivered online? The statute names no format. It does require interactive questions and answers with a person who knows the plan. A parent and clinician, in a recreated Mater setting. ### How long are training records kept? At least one year. Hazard records are kept for at least five. - [US workplace violence training rules](https://peopletechrevolution.com/learn/standards/workplace-violence-training-united-states) - [Nevada workplace violence training](https://peopletechrevolution.com/learn/standards/nevada-workplace-violence-training) - [New York retail worker safety training](https://peopletechrevolution.com/learn/standards/new-york-retail-worker-safety-act) - [Customer aggression training](https://peopletechrevolution.com/xr/customer-aggression-training) - [Training for transport staff](https://peopletechrevolution.com/work/industries/transport-logistics) Training staff in California? [Open the contact form](https://peopletechrevolution.com/learn/standards/california-sb-553-training#contact) Ask Simon’s Digital Twin a question ## Sources Each rule in full, on the regulator’s own site. ### [Labor Code section 6401.9](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=LAB§ionNum=6401.9) California Legislative Information The plan, the annual training, the topics and the record retention periods. ### [Workplace Violence Prevention in Health Care](https://www.dir.ca.gov/title8/3342.html) California Code of Regulations, Title 8 Names de-escalation, and practice with colleagues followed by a debrief. ### [Workplace violence at medical facilities](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/NRS-618.html) Nevada Revised Statutes, chapter 618 The practice and debrief clause, with a record of each session. ### [Retail Worker Safety Act](https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/LAB/27-E) New York Labor Law De-escalation tactics, active shooter drills and emergency procedures. ### [Occupational Health and Safety (Psychological Health) Regulations](https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/in-force/statutory-rules/occupational-health-and-safety-psychological-health-regulations-2025/001) Victorian legislation Names aggression and violence among the hazards an employer must control.