Every employer in California, regardless of size or industry, is required by law to have a written Injury and Illness Prevention Program. The IIPP is the foundation of workplace safety compliance in California, and it is one of the first things Cal/OSHA looks for during an inspection.
At the Law Office of Catherine Chukwueke, I help California employers develop IIPPs that meet the requirements of California Code of Regulations Title 8, Section 3203, and reflect the actual conditions of their workplace.
What an IIPP Must Include
California law requires every IIPP to address the following elements:
- Responsibility. Identifying the person or persons with authority and responsibility for implementing the program.
- Compliance. Establishing a system for ensuring that all employees comply with safe work practices, including disciplinary procedures.
- Communication. Setting out how the employer will communicate with employees about occupational safety and health matters, including the right to report unsafe conditions without fear of retaliation.
- Hazard assessment. Procedures for identifying and evaluating workplace hazards, including scheduled periodic inspections.
- Accident and exposure investigation. Procedures for investigating occupational injuries, illnesses, and near-miss incidents.
- Hazard correction. Procedures for correcting unsafe or unhealthy conditions in a timely manner.
- Training and instruction. Providing training to employees on general safe work practices and on hazards specific to their job.
- Recordkeeping. Maintaining records of inspections, training sessions, and corrective actions.
Why It Has to Be Specific to Your Workplace
Cal/OSHA requires that an IIPP reflect the actual conditions, hazards, and operations of your specific workplace. A document downloaded from the internet that does not address your industry, your physical environment, your employees, or your particular hazards will not satisfy the requirement. In the event of an inspection, injury, or Cal/OSHA complaint, an inadequate IIPP can result in significant citations and penalties.
I work with employers to develop IIPPs that are tailored to their specific operations, practical to implement, and built to hold up under scrutiny.
How the IIPP Fits Into Your Broader Compliance Program
Your IIPP does not exist in isolation. It works alongside your Workplace Violence Prevention Plan, your harassment prevention policies, and your employee handbook to create a comprehensive compliance framework. I help employers make sure these documents are consistent with each other and with current California law.
Schedule a Consultation
I work with employers throughout California. Call me at 310-213-7711 or schedule a consultation online to discuss your IIPP needs.
