Spoiler alert: It’s not just another compliance form. An Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) is your roadmap to keeping employees safe — and your business out of trouble.

Wait, What’s an IIPP?

If you’re a California employer, having an IIPP isn’t optional — it’s the law. Cal/OSHA requires all employers to create and maintain a written workplace safety plan. That plan? That’s your IIPP.

Think of it as your playbook for preventing workplace injuries, illnesses, and accidents. It outlines how you’ll spot hazards, train your team, investigate incidents, and keep improving your safety practices.

Why It Matters

Here’s the deal: workplace injuries cost money, time, and trust. Even one preventable incident can mean fines, downtime, or worse. But with a solid IIPP, you’re not just protecting your people — you’re protecting your entire business.

What Goes into an IIPP?

A compliant IIPP has 8 core elements. Sound overwhelming? Don’t worry — we’ll break it down.

1. Responsibility

Who’s in charge of safety? Your IIPP should clearly name the person responsible for implementing and maintaining the program.

2. Compliance

How do you ensure employees follow the rules? Include methods like rewards, training, and discipline if necessary.

3. Communication

You need a way to keep workers informed — and to let them speak up. Think meetings, bulletin boards, suggestion boxes, or even anonymous tips.

4. Hazard Assessment

Identify and fix hazards before they cause problems. This means regular inspections and job-specific evaluations.

5. Accident Investigation

When something goes wrong, don’t just fix it — figure out why it happened and how to prevent it from happening again.

6. Hazard Correction

Act fast. Outline how you’ll address unsafe conditions, especially if there’s an immediate danger.

7. Training and Instruction

Train new hires. Retrain employees when their job changes. And make sure everyone understands your safety protocols.

8. Recordkeeping

Document everything — inspections, investigations, training logs, and more. If Cal/OSHA asks for it, you’ll want it ready.

What Happens If You Don’t Have One?

Let’s be blunt: fines, citations, and serious liability. Cal/OSHA takes IIPP violations seriously — especially if an injury occurs and your plan is missing or incomplete.

Good News: You Don’t Have to Wing It

At Consult HR Services, we help small businesses create customized, compliant IIPPs that actually work — not just collect dust in a binder.

Need help getting started? We’ll review your current plan (or create one from scratch) and make sure it fits your industry, team size, and real-life operations.

Need help building or updating your IIPP? At Consult HR Services, we help small businesses meet Cal/OSHA requirements with clear, customized programs that actually work in the real world.

✅ Check out our heat illness prevention guide
✅ Or walk through our HR compliance checklist for 2025

💡 For official guidance, visit Cal/OSHA’s IIPP page or OSHA’s recommended practices.

Let’s build a safer, smarter workplace — together. Talk to us at Consult HR Services.