Cardiac events, including sudden cardiac arrest, are a leading cause of workplace fatalities. Construction workers are at a higher risk. A defibrillator – which provides an electrical charge that can help a person’s heart return to a normal rhythm – can improve cardiac arrest survival rates by more than 50%.
To reduce cardiac arrest fatalities on Ontario construction sites, the Government of Ontario introduced O. Reg. 157/25: Construction Projects (“Regulation”) under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. The Regulation, which comes into force on January 1, 2026, will require a constructor to have a defibrillator on certain project sites.
As discussed in our May 2025 briefing note,[1] the Government of Ontario also recently introduced Bill 30, Working for Workers Seven Act, 2025. If passed, Bill 30 will provide a reimbursement mechanism through the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (“WSIB”), for any constructor required to have a defibrillator on site.
Application
The Regulation will apply to a constructor at a construction project where:
a. Twenty or more workers are regularly employed at the project, and
b. The project is expected to last at least three months.
Requirements
A constructor must ensure a defibrillator is installed and maintained at the project and the following requirements are satisfied:
- The defibrillator must be licensed as a medical device by Health Canada.
- The following items must be stored with the defibrillator:
- One cardiopulmonary resuscitation mask
- One pair of scissors
- Two pairs of disposable medical grade gloves
- One disposable razor
- One garbage bag
- Four absorbent towels.
- The defibrillator and required items must be stored in a suitable place that
- Allows for the defibrillator and required items to be kept together
- Protects the defibrillator and required items from dust, moisture, extreme temperatures, direct sunlight, or any substances that could damage or affect the functionality of the defibrillator
- Is unobstructed and facilitates easy access to the defibrillator.
- The defibrillator must be maintained and tested in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and inspected on a quarterly basis. A record of inspections must be kept with the defibrillator.
- The location of a defibrillator must be indicated by posting signs with a graphic symbol that depicts a heart containing a lightning bolt and the words “Automated External Defibrillator” or the acronym “AED” or the French equivalent.
- A worker who is trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillator operation must be present at all times when work is in progress at a project.
Next Steps
Start preparing now for implementation by January 1, 2026:
- Source a licensed defibrillator and necessary supplies for each applicable project
- Identify a suitable location
- Acquire or create signage
- Create a defibrillator policy
- Train workers in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillator operation.
To learn more and for assistance, contact your Sherrard Kuzz lawyer or info@sherrardkuzz.com.
The information contained in this article is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal or other professional advice, nor does accessing this information create a lawyer-client relationship. This article is current as of August 5, 2025 and applies only to Ontario, Canada, or such other laws of Canada as expressly indicated. Information about the law is checked for legal accuracy as at the date the presentation/article is prepared but may become outdated as laws or policies change. For clarification or for legal or other professional assistance please contact Sherrard Kuzz LLP.
[1] See our briefing note “Ontario Government Introduces Working for Workers Seven Act” for more details.