Constructors in Ontario are being advised to review current and upcoming projects to determine if they need automated external defibrillators (AEDs) on their worksites as of Jan. 1.
That’s when regulations come into effect that require the devices to be readily available on construction sites when projects last three months or longer and employ 20 or more workers, a recent webinar on AEDs sponsored by the Residential Construction Council of Ontario was told.
Bill 30, officially known as the Working for Workers Seven Act, 2025, is currently in second reading in the Ontario Legislature and is expected to become law in the province by the end of the year.
If passed, Ontario would be the first jurisdiction in North America to make AEDs mandatory on construction sites. An AED is a small device that analyzes a person’s heart rhythm and delivers an electrical shock, if necessary, to restore a normal rhythm during a sudden cardiac arrest.
Carrie Briley, director of workplace health and safety services at the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB), explained the legislation will permit the Ontario agency to offset costs for one AED per construction project. The average cost of an AED is around $2,300.
The legislation will also require constructors to always have a trained first aider onsite when work is underway.
“The reimbursement program will be limited to the initial cost of the AED,” said Briley. “The ongoing maintenance and operator training costs would not be covered under the reimbursement program.”
While reimbursement will be limited to one AED per qualifying construction site, there is no limit to the number of reimbursements a constructor who may have multiple sites can receive.
Briley said authorities want to make AEDs more accessible because they save lives.
“We’re supporting safer workplaces and stronger communities. In addition, WSIB is modernizing our services, including first-aid training to better align with other Canadian jurisdictions.”
Angela Powell, who leads the workplace safety and insurance practice at Sherrard Kuzz LLP, said mandating AEDs in a construction setting is due to the fact workers in the industry are at higher risk due to the physical nature of the work.
“It’s really critical to treat a heart attack or a cardiac event as quickly as possible. Using an AED in combination with CPR in the first few minutes of a cardiac arrest can increase the chance of survival by 50 per cent.”
Ministry of Labour data found more than 15 per cent of inspection reports associated with the words cardiac or heart attack have been in the construction sector. In addition, the Heart and Stroke Foundation notes 60,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of a hospital every year in Canada and the survival rate of those incidents is typically one out of 10.
“So, it really is critical to have this important tool available on a worksite, and it can really save lives at the end of the day,” said Powell.
She suggested owners review their ongoing projects and project the timelines and team size to determine if they need to bring a defibrillator onsite to meet the new requirements. If a project starts in December and goes past Jan. 1, it will have to abide by the new rules.
“It’s really important to take a look at the projects you’re going to have ongoing as we get to the end of the year and look at whether they’re going to be three months or longer and whether they’re going to have 20 or more workers on the worksite.”
In addition to a defibrillator, there are other rules that must be followed such as ensuring the AED is stored in a suitable place that protects it from dust and moisture. If outdoors, the device must be protected from extreme temperatures, moisture and direct sunlight.
The AED must unobstructed and in a location with easy access and labelled with prescribed signage.
“I would suggest that you proactively keep that in mind when you’re deciding where to locate the device just to ensure that it’s not in a location where it could be easily blocked by a large truck, construction equipment and otherwise,” said Powell.
AEDs must also be maintained, tested and inspected on a quarterly basis by a competent worker who is familiar with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and regulations that apply to the work.
Powell said using an AED does not expose an individual to any potential liability for negligence as the Ontario Good Samaritan Act protects individuals when they provide voluntary emergency first aid services to someone in distress.
While some people are afraid to use the devices, Powell said they are safe and medical training is not required to operate one.
“The device itself is actually programmed to automatically detect abnormal or regular heart rhythms,” she said. “They are really meant for a member of the public to be able to assist an individual who’s suffering a catastrophic heart event before medical personnel arrive.”
