New AED Requirements on Ontario Construction Sites

As of January 1, 2026, many Ontario construction projects will be legally required to have an AED on site under O. Reg. 157/25. This regulation amends Ontario’s construction safety framework to better address sudden cardiac arrest — a leading cause of workplace fatalities.

AEDs are no longer viewed as optional safety equipment. Instead, they are now a core job-site safety requirement for qualifying construction projects across Ontario.

When Is an AED Required?

An AED must be present on a construction site when both of the following apply:

• 20 or more workers are regularly employed, and

• The project is expected to last three months or longer

Short-duration projects under three months are exempt, but many medium- and large-scale builds fall squarely within the regulation.

Why Ontario Introduced AED Requirements

Construction sites are physically demanding environments where cardiac emergencies can occur without warning. Emergency medical response times may vary depending on site location, making immediate access to an AED critical. Early defibrillation significantly improves survival outcomes during sudden cardiac arrest, which is why AED access is now mandated.

The Simple Way to Comply

AED4Life helps Ontario contractors comply by providing:

• Construction-approved, Health Canada–licensed AEDs

• Proper accessories and storage options

• FREE TrackMyAED™ for inspections, records, and reminders

This approach ensures compliance is not just achieved — but maintained.

👉 Buy Ontario-compliant construction AEDs:
https://aed4life.ca/collections/construction-sites

📖 Official regulation:
https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/r25157