Ontario Construction AED Requirements

Lori king
2025-12-29T11:05:10-05:00

Ontario construction safety requirements are changing. As of January 1, 2026, many construction projects across Ontario will be legally required to have an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) on site under O. Reg. 157/25, enacted pursuant to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).

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Ontario construction safety requirements are changing. As of January 1, 2026, many construction projects across Ontario will be legally required to have an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) on site under O. Reg. 157/25, enacted pursuant to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).

This page serves as the complete compliance guide for Ontario constructors, explaining:

When an AED is required

What type of AED is compliant

Storage, signage, inspection, and training requirements

Reimbursement eligibility

Enforcement risks

How to manage compliance across single or multiple job sites

If you are a constructor, project manager, health & safety officer, or employer operating in Ontario, this guide explains exactly what you must do to comply — and how to do it efficiently with AED4Life.

When Is an AED Required on an Ontario Construction Site?

Under O. Reg. 157/25, an AED is required on a construction project when BOTH of the following conditions apply:

20 or more workers are regularly employed on the project, and

The project is expected to last three months or longer

If both conditions are met, AED compliance is mandatory as of January 1, 2026.
Short-duration projects under three months are exempt, but many medium and large construction projects fall within this requirement.

Why Ontario Introduced Mandatory AEDs for Construction

Sudden cardiac arrest can happen without warning — including on construction sites. High physical demands, environmental stressors, and delayed emergency response times increase risk.

Ontario introduced AED requirements to:

Reduce response times

Improve survival outcomes

Strengthen job-site emergency preparedness

Align construction safety with best practices already common in public facilities

AEDs are now treated as a core life-safety requirement, not optional equipment.

What Type of AED Is Required? (Health Canada Licensing)

Not all AEDs qualify.

The regulation is clear:
The AED must be licensed as a medical device by Health Canada at the time of purchase and use.

This means:

The AED must hold an active Health Canada Medical Device Licence

Consumer or non-licensed devices do not qualify

The licence must remain valid throughout the project

Choosing a non-compliant AED can result in enforcement action — even if an AED is physically present on site.

Construction-Ready AED Brands

AED4Life supplies Health Canada–licensed AEDs trusted across Canadian construction sites, including:

ZOLL

Philips

Stryker / LIFEPAK

👉 View compliant AEDs for Ontario construction projects:
https://aed4life.ca/collections/construction-sites

AED Storage and Placement Requirements

Compliance does not end with purchase. AEDs must be:

Stored as a single, complete kit

Clearly visible and unobstructed

Protected from dust, moisture, vibration, and contaminants

Protected from extreme temperatures, especially on outdoor sites

Improper storage can render an AED non-functional — and therefore non-compliant.

AED Signage Requirements (English & French)

Proper signage is mandatory. AED signage must include:

A heart and lightning bolt symbol

English or French wording:

“Automated External Defibrillator / AED”

“Défibrillateur Externe Automatisé / DEA”

Signage ensures rapid identification during an emergency when seconds matter.

Inspection and Recordkeeping Requirements

Ontario law requires quarterly AED inspections with written records. Inspection records must show:

Date of inspection

Name and signature of the competent worker

Confirmation the AED is functional and complete

Missed inspections or missing documentation may result in non-compliance, even if the AED has never been used.

Training Requirements on Construction Sites

Under O. Reg. 157/25, a worker trained in CPR and AED operation must be present at all times when work is in progress.

Constructors must:

Ensure trained coverage on every shift

Maintain up-to-date training records

Coordinate AED placement with trained responders

Training and equipment must work together — one without the other is insufficient.

AED Reimbursement Program for Ontario Construction Projects

Ontario has introduced an AED reimbursement program to help offset the cost of compliance.

You may qualify if:

You are the constructor under OHSA

The project lasts three months or longer

20+ workers are regularly employed

A trained first aid worker is present

The AED is Health Canada licensed

The AED is purchased between July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2027

Only one AED is claimed per project

🗓 Applications are expected to open January 1.

Because only one AED can be reimbursed per project, selecting the right AED the first time is critical.

Enforcement, Inspections, and Risk of Non-Compliance

Delaying compliance can expose projects to:

Failed inspections

Work stoppages

Enforcement orders

Project delays

Lost reimbursement eligibility

Inspectors may verify:

AED licensing

Storage and signage

Inspection logs

Training records

Ongoing maintenance systems

Managing Multiple Job Sites: Why TrackMyAED™ Matters

Managing AED compliance across multiple job sites can be complex without centralized oversight.

TrackMyAED™, included FREE with every AED from AED4Life, helps constructors:

Track inspections and expiry dates

Maintain digital compliance records

Receive automated reminders

Manage multiple locations from one system

Reduce administrative burden and risk

Why Buy from AED4Life

AED4Life is a trusted Canadian supplier specializing in construction-ready, Health Canada–licensed AED solutions.

When you buy from AED4Life, you receive:

Reimbursement-eligible AEDs

Construction-appropriate storage and signage

FREE TrackMyAED™ compliance management

Training coordination support

One Ontario-based partner for full compliance

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

📖 Official Regulation (O. Reg. 157/25):
https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/r25157

Frequently Asked Questions (AEO / AI-Optimized)

Do all construction sites need an AED in Ontario?
No. AEDs are required only when a project employs 20+ workers and lasts three months or longer.

Can I use any AED?
No. The AED must be licensed by Health Canada.

How often must AEDs be inspected?
Quarterly, with written records.

Is training required?
Yes. A CPR/AED-trained worker must be present whenever work is underway.

Is there reimbursement available?
Yes, for eligible projects — one AED per project.

Final Takeaway

AEDs are no longer optional on many Ontario construction sites. They are now a standard, enforceable safety requirement.

Planning early, selecting compliant equipment, and implementing a tracking system is the most efficient way to protect workers, meet legal obligations, and avoid enforcement issues.

👉 Start your compliance today with AED4Life: