New York State Retail Worker Safety Act: Panic Button Requirements Update
New York State Retail Worker Safety Act: Panic Button Requirements Update
New York State is proposing a few major changes to the Retail Worker Safety Act (RWSA) and Panic Buttons which was originally passed on September 4th, 2024 by Governor Kathy Hochul. This new law relates specifically to panic button mandates within retail facilities. These modifications will change the way retail employers choose to implement security measures in their own facilities.
| Original Provision | Amended Provision |
|---|---|
| Employers with more than 500 retail employees nationwide must provide access to panic buttons that immediately contact 911. | Employers with 500 or more retail employees statewide must provide access to silent response buttons that request immediate assistance from a security officer, manager, or supervisor. |
| All covered employers must provide workplace violence prevention training upon hire and annually thereafter. | Employers with 50 or more retail employees must provide training upon hire and annually; those with fewer than 50 employees must provide training upon hire and every two years. |
| The NY Department of Labor has discretion in determining the languages for model policies based on population size. | The Department must prepare model policies in the 12 most common non-English languages in the state, based on U.S. Census data. |
| The commissioner must adopt rules and regulations interpreting the law. | The commissioner may adopt rules and regulations interpreting the law. |
Implementation Timeline
- June 2, 2025: This extended date for the creation and implementation of policies and training that prevent workplace violence is now June 2, 2025. This was pushed back from the original date of March 4, 2025.
- January 1, 2027: This is the deadline for employers who have a staff of 500 or more people across the state to install silent response panic buttons into their facilities.
Panic Button Action Steps for Employers
Employers must:
- Decide whether they want to take the route of implementing the NY Department of Labor’s model policy and training or whether they want to create their own program that meets these new state requirements.
- Determine the number of retail employees within the company to understand the requirements for panic button training.
- Prepare for the implementation of silent panic buttons by the required 2027 deadline. Preparation can be done by researching options such as stationary, wearable, or mobile phone devices.
These recent amendments reflect New York State's commitment to increasing the safety of retail workers while also providing flexibility for employers to be in compliance.
BEC Wireless Panic Buttons: A Compliant Solution
The BEC Wireless Panic Buttons offers a dependable solution that meets all components of the updated compliance standards. They also offers additional benefits for retail faculties that require panic button use under the updated RWSA. Some of these benefits include:
Key Advantages of BEC Wireless Panic Buttons
- Proven Reliability: Thousands of businesses, even some of the largest retail businesses in the U.S., have trusted BEC’s wireless panic button systems. We have established ourselves as a top industry leader in emergency response systems.
- Unmatched Reliability: Uniquely, BEC's panic buttons operate without the use of Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity, which guarantees reliable performance even when network outages occur.
- Cost-Effective: With zero recurring fees, BEC represent momentous long-term savings for retailers who are installing panic button solutions.
- Ease of Use: Systems are completely preprogrammed upon arrival and are ready to install. This makes setup easy and minimizes any disruption to work operations during the installation process.
- Proactive Monitoring: All BEC wireless transmitters, and repeaters are completely supervised, and continue to monitor system integrity which guarantees functionality when it’s most important.
- Customizable Options: BEC provides a wide range of push-button options to help meet the requirements of any retail environment, from discreet under-the-counter buttons to wearable pendants for traveling employees.
Next Steps for Retail Establishments
- Start planning to conduct a workplace violence risk assessment
- Record risk factors specific to your facility
- Create implementation plans if your assessment dictates a requirement for panic buttons
- Consider BEC Wireless Panic Buttons as a simple and dependable solution
- Stay educated on the approval of these proposed amendments
- Discuss with legal team to guarantee complete compliance with all components of the amended legislation
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