California Guide · Updated 2026
California Workplace Safety & the IIPP (Cal/OSHA)
Nearly every California employer is required to have a written safety program — the Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP). It is one of the most commonly cited Cal/OSHA requirements, and a missing or paper-only program is an easy citation to avoid.
Every employer needs an IIPP (8 CCR §3203)
Cal/OSHA requires virtually all California employers to establish and maintain an effective, written Injury and Illness Prevention Program.
The eight required elements
- 1. Responsibility — who has authority for the program;
- 2. Compliance — how you ensure safe work practices;
- 3. Communication — a two-way system employees can use without fear of reprisal;
- 4. Hazard assessment — scheduled inspections and identification;
- 5. Accident/exposure investigation;
- 6. Hazard correction — timely abatement;
- 7. Training — on general and job-specific hazards;
- 8. Recordkeeping — documenting inspections and training.
Heat illness & workplace violence
- Heat-illness prevention (8 CCR §3395): water, shade, rest, acclimatization, and high-heat procedures for outdoor (and certain indoor) work.
- Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (SB 553, Labor Code §6401.9): most employers must maintain a written plan, a violent-incident log, and training.
Recordkeeping & reporting
Maintain the OSHA 300/300A injury logs and post the 300A summary from February 1 to April 30. A serious injury, illness, or death must be reported to Cal/OSHA immediately, and no later than 8 hours after you learn of it (Labor Code §6409.1).
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