Since 1 January 2026, qualifying Ontario construction projects must have an automated external defibrillator on site. This checklist covers the two threshold tests, the accessories that must be stored with the unit, trained-responder coverage across shifts, and the paperwork you need for WSIB reimbursement.
The AED duties also appear in the Ontario OHSA Compliance Checklist, alongside the other 2026 Ontario changes.
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| Threshold test | Requirement | This project | Met? (Y/N) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project duration | Expected to last three months or more | ||
| Workforce size | Twenty or more workers regularly employed on the project |
| Requirement | What good looks like | Y / N / N-A | Evidence or gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| AED on site | Installed and available throughout the project. | ||
| Location known to all workers | Signed, unobstructed, and covered in site orientation. | ||
| Accessible during all work | Reachable whenever work is in progress, including on extended or night shifts. | ||
| Serial and model recorded | Recorded below for maintenance and reimbursement. |
O. Reg. 157/25 requires these to be stored alongside the unit. Check each is present, in date, and replaced after any use.
| AED make / model | Serial number | Pad expiry | Battery expiry | Location on site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Requirement | What good looks like | Y / N / N-A | Evidence or gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trained worker present whenever work is in progress | A worker trained in CPR and AED operation on site at all times work is underway. | ||
| Coverage across breaks and shift change | More than one trained worker per shift so coverage does not lapse. | ||
| Certification current | Certificates in date and specifically including AED use, not CPR alone. | ||
| Training content adequate | Recognition of cardiac arrest, CPR technique, pad placement, following prompts, and handoff to EMS. | ||
| Records on site | Certificates available at the project, not only at head office. |
| Worker | Certification | Provider | Expires | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Requirement | What good looks like | Y / N / N-A | Evidence or gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inspection schedule | Documented routine checks of status indicator, pads and battery. | ||
| Quarterly inspection | A competent worker inspects the AED every quarter (O. Reg. 213/91 s.27.1(7)(b)). | ||
| Inspection record kept with the AED | Record of each inspection stored with the unit (s.27.1(8)). | ||
| AED signage posted | Heart-and-lightning-bolt symbol with “AED” next to the unit and elsewhere on the project (s.27.1(5)–(6)). | ||
| Pads and battery in date | Replaced before expiry, with spares held. | ||
| Post-use restock procedure | Written process to replace pads and accessories immediately after any use. | ||
| Manufacturer maintenance followed | Any manufacturer-specified servicing carried out and recorded. | ||
| Emergency response plan references the AED | Site plan names the AED location and who responds. |
| Requirement | What good looks like | Y / N / N-A | Evidence or gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase within the eligible window | Unit purchased between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2027. | ||
| Project meets the legal thresholds | The AED is required under the OHSA for this project — Section 1 above. | ||
| Receipts and documentation retained | Purchase receipts and evidence linking the unit to the qualifying project. | ||
| One claim per project | Reimbursement is limited to one defibrillator per qualifying project. | ||
| Application submitted before the deadline | Applications must reach the WSIB no later than 31 July 2027. |
Our consultants (CRSP Certified · COR & ISO 45001 Lead Auditors) can adapt this to your workplace or review your safety program with you.
This resource is general guidance, not legal advice. Confirm every requirement against the current regulation in your jurisdiction before relying on it.