On May 23, 2025, the Ontario government announced a new initiative requiring automated external defibrillators (AEDs) be made available on a greater number of construction sites. The new requirement will apply to construction projects expected to last three months or longer and that employ 20 or more workers. This expands the existing requirement to have AEDs on projects when two or more workers are working in an energized electrical environment (EUSR 110).

The recent move follows recommendations from construction industry stakeholders during the Working for Workers Five consultations, where AEDs were identified as essential devices for job sites. These consultations also emphasized the need for financial assistance to help small businesses afford the cost of purchasing AEDs. As of April 2025, the average cost of an AED is approximately $2,300.

To help offset this expense, a proposed program through the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) would reimburse contractors for the purchase of AEDs. This reimbursement would be funded through the WSIB insurance fund. The initiative is part of a broader proposed package that will build on the six previous Working for Workers Acts introduced since 2021. Full details of this package are expected to be released in the coming days.

If you have any questions about this topic, or any questions relating to workplace law generally, please do not hesitate to contact a Mathews Dinsdale lawyer.