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 ​​​​​​​Creating the Injury and Illness Prevention Program with the Workplace Violence Prevention Plan

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​All locations must create and maintain an injury and illness prevention program (IIPP) which includes a workplace violence prevention plan (WVPP). The WVPP, effective July 1, 2024, is designed to address rising concerns in the State about incidents of violence in the workplace.  The violent incidents could include physical attacks or assaults, threats of violence, stalking (in person or online) or similar behavior by fellow employees, relatives of staff, strangers or criminals.  The Archdiocese has prepared a template that will help locations create their individualized written WVPP.   

The California Department of Industrial Relations has created the following more detailed guides for the IIPP and WVPP: Guide to Injury and Illness P​revention​ and an IIPP online plan creator developed by State Fund (State Fund IIPP Builder)​ which is available at the Department of Industrial Relations - Publications, Research and Education.​

​The IIPP and WVPP must include the following elements:

  • Identification of the persons responsible for creating and implementing the IIPP and WVPP
  • The Archdiocesan Policy on Health a​nd Safety
  • A system for identifying and evaluating​ workplace hazards, emergencies and types of violent incidents​.  An emergency is defined as an unanticipated circumstance that can be life threatening or poses a risk of significant injuries to employees or other persons.​

  • A plan for periodic schedu​led inspections (depending on the nature of hazards found, the location can choose the frequency) and whenever the location is made aware of a new or previously unrecognized hazard

  • A process for correcting unsafe or unh​e​althy conditions​ ​​​

  • ​A process for investigating accidents and incidents of violence 

  • A process for training staff on safety and violence prevention​​

  • A method of communicating with staff about safe​ty and​ encouraging safe practices

  • Record-keeping​ and posting requirements and any exceptions to them

  • The approval of the plan by the person in c​harge


 Identifying and Evaluating Workplace Hazards

Hazard control is the heart of an effective injury and illness prevention program (IIPP). Hazard control identifies hazards that exist or could develop at the location site. Hazards may exist not only in the physical environment but also in the human environment. An effective hazard control program addresses both types of hazards.

 Conducting Periodic Inspections

The plan administrator​ (and the safety team, where applicable) is responsible for:

 Addressing Physical Hazards

Physical hazards are conditions that could cause accidents in and around buildings or expose staff to potential violent intrusion. Examples include uneven surfaces, fraying carpets, wet floors, broken furniture, open file drawers, exposed electrical wires, stacked items, stairways without handrails, blocked exits, vehicle traffic, broken locks, open access to the facilities, etc. Many of these physical hazards can be identified and eliminated through proper inspection, construction, and maintenance programs.

Once identified, hazardous condition(s) should be corrected promptly, warnings should be posted at the scene, and/or the hazard should be painted in a conspicuous contrasting color. For construction issues, see ​Construction Policies and Procedures​​ in Facilities​.

Use the following checklists to record the results of the location's hazard identification process:

 Identifying Ergonomic Hazards​

Repetitive motions such as word processing, clerical work, or loading may cause physical injury. A location is required to implement an ergonomics pr​ogram that addresses a repetitive motion injury (RMI) if that RMI has occurred to more than one employee in the past 12 months. Consult the Hu​man Resources Department or the Catholic Cemeteries and Mortuaries safety compliance office at 323-524-7691 ​if an RMI arises.

Identifying Hazards from Human Interaction

The work, school, and worship environment may include individuals who may pose a potential threat to staff, students, or parishioners. While the sacramental life of the church is available to all faithful, staff and volunteers should report to the person in ​​charge when they observe individuals acting in an inappropriate or a threatening manner that might signal cause for alarm.

Correcting Unsafe or Unhealthy Conditions

The plan administ​rator (and the safety team, where applicable) is responsible for:​​

  • Ensuring that unsafe conditions that were highlighted by the self-inspections or the reports of violent incidents or threats are addressed or otherwise remedied

  • Determining the amount of money required to correct any major conditions, whether physical or staffing

  • Preparing a memorandum, if necessary, which is directed to the person in c​harge and requests corrections or repairs

  • Maintaining appropriate records of the corrections proposed or implemented; for an incident of workplace violence use the Workplace Violence Incident Report Log​.

For construction issues, see ​Construction Policies and Procedures​​ in Facilit​ies; if necessary, consult the Const​​ruction​ Department​​.
For staff issues consult the Human Resources Department​
For school issues consult the Department of Catholic Schools​ at 213-637-7300.​​

Safety Training

To ensure proper implementation of an IIPP and WVPP, the location shall conduct and document periodic training for staff. The perso​n in charge, the plan ad​ministrator, and where applicable, the safety team, shall:

  • Arrange for all staff to receive general safety trainings in the location's Emergency Plan, fire prevention, and fire extinguisher use (contact the local fire department for training)

  • Train all staff on the WVPP

  • Certify annually that such training was completed and logged by using the Employee T​raining Verif​ication Form; keep the training verification forms for a minimum of one (1) year​

  • Schedule periodic safety meetings; the plan administrator or safety team members should use safety as the topic of the meeting and require staff to sign an attendance sheet

  • ​Assure that all people who are involved in science lab teaching, whether at the elementary school or high school level, have participated in the archdiocesan science safet​y course offered in cooperation with Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE)

With respect to hazards specific to each staff member's work assignment, the plan administrator or designee is responsible for ensuring that people can perform their tasks safely and effectively. Each staff member and volunteer should be given the Code of Safe Practices that pertains to that staff member's or volunteer's duties and responsibilities:

Each staff member must sign the Acknowledgement of Receipt and Review of C​ode of Safe Practices. A copy must be kept in the staff member's personnel file.

Communicating and Encouraging Staff Participation in Safe Practices

The archdiocese recognizes that two-way communication on health and safety issues is essential to injury-free productive locations. Safety and health information is communicated through:

  • New staff orientation

  • Safety team and staff meetings

  • Safety notifications

  • Reports of unsafe conditions and practices

  • Safety suggestions

  • Encouragement of safe practices

Staff members are encouraged to make suggestions about health and safety, violence prevention strategies, and training methods.

The plan administ​rator​ should review the reports and suggestions. He or she should initiate an investigation of each report about unsafe conditions or hazards and each suggestion about health and safety or training. No person shall be retaliated against or harassed for reporting hazards or potential hazards or making suggestions related to safety.​

3-17-2021​​, 6-24-2024