By Rodney Bosch
Source: Security InfoWatch
A sweeping new workplace safety law aimed at reducing violence in retail settings takes effect across New York State on June 4. The Retail Worker Safety Act (RWSA), championed by the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), introduces a range of mandatory safety protocols for employers, including violence prevention planning, employee training and emergency alert systems.
Under the law, retail businesses with 10 or more employees must implement written workplace violence prevention plans, conduct regular risk assessments, and provide biennial training on de-escalation and active shooter response. Retailers with 500 or more workers statewide are also required to install silent panic buttons throughout their stores by January 1, 2027, allowing staff to discreetly alert security during emergencies.