New Guide Will Help Employers Build A Policy For Automated External Defibrillators

Jan 8, 2026 - 5 months ago

The Residential Construction Council of Ontario, in partnership with Smart Safety Solutions, has put together a guide to help employers build a policy governing the use of Automated External Defibrillators.

As of January 1, all construction sites with 20 or more workers that will be active for at least three months are required to have an AED, also known as a Mikey on site. The guide outlines 13 steps and lists multiple resources which constructors can use to build their own specific policies.

The steps outline the duties, responsibilities, equipment requirements and emergency response procedures of constructors and how to select, use, place and maintain AEDs on a jobsite.

“Ontario is the first jurisdiction to make this move and it’s a fantastic step forward,” explains RESCON VP Andrew Pariser. “Nothing is more important on a construction jobsite than health and safety. Having an AED on a worksite could be a lifesaver if a worker experiences a cardiac event.

“The guide will help employers develop policies that reflect the specific realities of each jobsite. Construction jobsites, by their very nature, are different so it’s critical to have a specific plan.”

The guide will help employers define the roles and responsibilities of all workplace parties involved in a workplace AED program, figure out the equipment that’s required, where it should be placed on a jobsite, what training is necessary, and how implementation should be rolled out.

“The first and most important act is for an employer to conduct a hazard assessment as construction workers face an elevated risk of cardiac events due to high-stress environments, physically demanding work, and exposure to various high-risk conditions on a jobsite,” says Pariser. “The other steps in the guide will help ensure a constructor is prepared.”

A rebate has been established through the WSIB to help employers with the cost of purchasing an AED during the transition phase. Purchases made between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2027, are eligible for reimbursements. The reimbursement application process started Jan. 1 and will run to July 3, 2027. Businesses can be reimbursed for up to $2,500 a unit. Click here for more information from the WSIB. Click here for the reimbursement request form.
RESCON hosted an AED (Mikey) webinar in November which featured an update on the program, a legal review of employer requirements, and an update on the reimbursement program.

Employers can reach out to the Mikey Network if they need an AED. The Mikey Network was started in 2002 after the death of Mike Salem, a partner in Heathwood Homes and Herity. Over the last 24 years, the organization has helped place more than 3,000 AEDs across Canada.

RESCON is the province’s leading association of residential builders committed to providing leadership and fostering innovation in the industry.

Source: RESCON