Ontario Becomes First in Canada to Mandate AEDs on Construction Sites to Protect Workers

Ontario becomes first in Canada to mandate AEDs on construction sites to protect workers

In a national first, the Ontario government is moving to require automatic external defibrillators on construction sites, a step officials say will save lives and create safer workplaces across the province. The proposed changes, expected to be tabled in the coming days, would mandate AEDs at construction projects expected to last three months or longer and employ 20 or more workers. Cardiac events, including sudden cardiac arrest, are among the…

New Requirement: Life-Saving Defibrillators Needed on Construction Sites in 2026

A recent amendment to the Construction Projects Regulation under the Occupational Health and Safety Act will require construction sites to have an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) on site, along with the necessary accessories to operate it. An AED is a life-saving device used to treat sudden cardiac arrest. While training is recommended and beneficial, anyone can use an AED in an emergency. This requirement applies to construction projects…