Mass shootings and random acts of violence by co-workers, customers, and other third parties have become all too common in America’s workplaces. Aiming to improve employee safety, on 30 September, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a first-of-its-kind anti-workplace violence law.

Based on a US Occupational Safety and Health Administration draft standard, the new California law requires almost all employers in the state prepare a workplace violence prevention plan, maintain records of any threats or incidents of workplace violence, and provide effective training to workers.