Step-by-Step Guide to AED Readiness on Ontario Construction Sites

Step-by-Step Guide to AED Readiness on Ontario Construction Sites

A Complete Compliance and Safety Roadmap from AED4Life

Coming Soon: Starting January 1, 2026, Ontario Regulation O. Reg. 157/25 will make Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)mandatory on most construction sites. Any project with 20 or more workers and a duration of over three months must have a Health Canada-approved AED readily available on-site.

This landmark regulation, introduced under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), ensures that construction crews have rapid access to lifesaving technology when sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) occurs—a leading cause of workplace fatalities.

As Canada’s #1 AED distributor, AED4Life helps contractors, site managers, and safety coordinators meet compliance, protect workers, and save lives. With over 60,000 AEDs managed nationwide through TrackMyAED™, AED4Life provides complete, compliant, and construction-ready solutions.

Below is a detailed five-step plan to prepare your worksites before the 2026 deadline, followed by a new section on the Construction “Grab & Go” Bundle, a turnkey solution designed for Ontario builders.

Step 1 — Assess Your Projects and Determine Coverage

Conduct a full review of all upcoming and active projects to identify where AEDs are required. Any site with 20+ workers for more than three months must have at least one Health Canada-approved AED.

Recommended models for rugged construction environments include:

• ZOLL AED 3 – Real-time CPR feedback, WiFi connectivity, bilingual prompts.

• ZOLL AED Plus – Simple maintenance, long-life lithium batteries, durable casing.

• Powerheart G5 – Built for outdoor job sites with IP55 weatherproofing.

• Philips OnSite – Lightweight and intuitive, ideal for general crew use.

AED4Life’s safety experts can help assess each worksite and determine proper device placement, cabinet requirements, and compliance readiness.

Step 2 — Purchase, Placement & Visibility

Once your project list is confirmed, select AEDs built to withstand construction dust, vibration, and temperature swings. AED4Life offers devices with full rescue accessory kits (mask, gloves, razor, scissors, and towels) that meet provincial first-aid standards.

Key placement principles:

• Visibility: Install AEDs near first-aid stations, site trailers, or main access gates.

• Accessibility: Workers should reach an AED within 3 minutes from anywhere on-site.

• Protection: For outdoor or unheated trailers, use ROTAID Heated Cabinets or our Grab & Go cases.

• Identification: Mount standardized bilingual signage (EN/FR) for instant recognition.

Step 3 — Integrate AEDs into Your Safety Plan

AED access and response must be documented within your project’s First Aid and Emergency Response Plan.
Include:

• AED locations and map references in safety postings.

• Names of trained responders or first-aid-certified workers.

• Emergency call flow, including who contacts EMS and retrieves the AED.

• Inspection and documentation schedule as part of the weekly safety log.

AED4Life provides custom templates, SOPs, and training support to help contractors embed AEDs into site safety plans quickly and effectively.

Step 4 — Maintain Readiness with TrackMyAED™ or TrackMyAED™ Pro

Compliance doesn’t stop at installation. Regular inspection, expiry tracking, and documentation are now a legal expectation under O. Reg. 157/25.

Each AED from AED4Life includes TrackMyAED™, Canada’s leading AED management platform, which automates:

• Pad and battery expiry tracking

• Monthly and quarterly inspection logging

• Service reminders and readiness alerts

For large constructors managing multiple projects, TrackMyAED™ Pro adds:

• Real-time alerts from any device

• Centralized dashboards for regional safety officers

• Custom compliance reports for Ministry of Labour audits

With over 60,000 AEDs tracked nationwide, AED4Life ensures your devices remain fully compliant and always rescue-ready.

Step 5 — Train, Review, and Reassess

Enhance your AED deployment with certified CPR and AED training for supervisors and site responders. AED4Life partners with accredited trainers across Ontario and supplies PRESTAN manikins and Heart & Stroke-compliant equipment for ongoing crew education.

Perform annual reviews or project-specific reassessments to verify AED readiness, update trained responder lists, and ensure continued compliance.

NEW: The AED4Life Construction “Grab & Go” AED Bundle

For Ontario job sites that demand simplicity, mobility, and compliance, AED4Life has created the Construction “Grab & Go” AED Bundle—a complete, ready-to-deploy package designed specifically for builders and contractors.

Each bundle includes:

• Health Canada-approved AED unit (ZOLL AED Plus, ZOLL AED 3, or Powerheart G5)

• Rugged waterproof carrying case designed for construction and outdoor use

• Complete rescue accessory kit (mask, gloves, razor, scissors, towels)

• High-visibility bilingual signage for on-site compliance

• TrackMyAED™ activation for automated expiry and inspection monitoring

• Optional ROTAID Heated Cabinet for permanent or winter placement

Ideal for:
Mobile job trailers
Short-term construction projects
Temporary or remote sites
Projects awaiting permanent AED cabinet installations

This all-in-one, compliant solution allows forepersons or safety leads to grab the AED and go, ensuring every project meets provincial AED standards quickly and cost-effectively.

Save up to $600 on bundle pricing and qualify for AED4Life’s 110% Price Guarantee.