Why Ontario Construction Sites Must Prepare for AED Requirements by January 1, 2026

Why Ontario Construction Sites Must Prepare for AED Requirements by January 1, 2026

How New Regulations Are Changing Construction Safety Standards

The countdown has begun. On January 1, 2026, Ontario Regulation 157/25 under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) will officially require that any construction project lasting three months or longer and employing 20 or more workers must have a Health Canada-approved Automated External Defibrillator (AED) installed and maintained on site.

This mandate represents a major evolution in how Ontario defines workplace safety. For decades, first-aid kits, fall protection, and PPE have been the backbone of site readiness. Now, with cardiac emergencies responsible for more Canadian deaths each year than any other workplace incident, the province is ensuring that AEDs are part of every serious construction project’s safety infrastructure.

Why AEDs Belong on Every Job Site

A construction worker’s day can involve extreme exertion, stress, and exposure to heat or cold—all factors that elevate cardiac risk. Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) can strike anyone without warning, even healthy workers with no prior symptoms.

According to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada, there are roughly 60,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests every year, and fewer than 10 percent survive. When CPR and defibrillation are provided within 3–5 minutes, the likelihood of survival can triple. (heartandstroke.ca)

The International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) identifies early defibrillation as the most important intervention in cardiac arrest survival worldwide. (ilcor.org)

In other words: the AED is now as essential to job-site safety as the fire extinguisher or first-aid station.

Choosing the Right Equipment for Construction Environments

AEDSHOP, Canada’s trusted AED distributor and compliance partner, supplies rugged, Health Canada-approveddevices that meet Ontario’s new standards. Each unit is engineered for the harsh conditions of Canadian worksites:

• ZOLL AED 3 — Touchscreen display with real-time CPR feedback (“Real CPR Help®”), Wi-Fi connectivity, and IP55 protection.

• ZOLL AED Plus — Impact-resistant and dust-sealed design; ideal for outdoor or mobile crews.

• Powerheart G5 — Bilingual (EN/FR) voice prompts, semi- or fully-automatic modes, and military-grade durability.

• Philips OnSite AED — Lightweight, intuitive, and portable—perfect for field supervisors or small teams.

Every construction bundle from AEDSHOP includes:

• Full rescue accessory kit (mask, gloves, razor, scissors, towel, biohazard bag).

• Bilingual safety signage for visibility.

• Access to TrackMyAED™ Pro for digital readiness tracking and compliance logging.

What the Law Requires

To comply with O. Reg. 157/25, construction employers must:

• Keep at least one Health Canada-licensed AED on site at all times.

• Store it with required accessories and clear access.

• Perform quarterly inspections and keep documentation of each check.

• Ensure trained responders are present whenever work is active.

Failing to meet these requirements could result in penalties or project delays. AEDSHOP’s compliance specialists help contractors interpret the regulation, choose the correct hardware, and build AED checks directly into site safety plans.

Smart Compliance Through Technology

Manual record-keeping is no longer practical for multi-site contractors. TrackMyAED™ and TrackMyAED™ Pro—exclusive to AEDSHOP—turn compliance into a hands-off process.

• TrackMyAED™: Automates inspection reminders, expiry alerts, and maintenance logging.

• TrackMyAED™ Pro: Adds live dashboards, GPS-linked readiness monitoring, loaner-unit tracking, and audit-ready reports.

With more than 60,000 AEDs monitored nationwide, the platform ensures your devices are always compliant and inspection-ready—no binders, no missed deadlines.

Prevention, Preparation, and Peace of Mind

Preventing cardiac arrest begins with awareness. Encourage:

• Hydration and rest breaks to reduce heat-related strain.

• Health check-ins for workers with known risk factors.

• Regular CPR/AED training, available from AEDSHOP’s 35-year Advanced Care Paramedic instructor team.

A prepared site protects both workers and reputation. Clients, inspectors, and employees notice when leadership invests in proactive safety rather than reactive compliance.

Take Action Before the 2026 Deadline

Procurement delays and training backlogs are expected as the deadline approaches. Contractors who prepare early lock in pricing, secure devices, and qualify for WSIB reimbursement under Bill 30 (Working for Workers Seven Act 2025)—which can offset AED purchase and training costs.

✅ Consult AEDSHOP’s safety specialists to assess your upcoming projects.
✅ Select construction-ready AEDs from ZOLL, Philips, or Powerheart.
✅ Activate TrackMyAED™ Pro for automatic compliance.
✅ Train your crews and embed AED response into your safety plan.

Visit www.AEDSHOP.ca — Canada’s construction AED authority — and be ready before January 1, 2026.

AEDSHOP Quick Facts

• 35 + years Advanced Care Paramedic leadership.

• 20 + years serving Canada’s industrial and construction sectors.

• 100 % Health Canada-approved devices.

• 110 % Price Guarantee & bilingual support.