AEDs on Ontario Construction Sites: What the 2026 Rule Means

As of January 1, 2026, Ontario law requires a licensed defibrillator — an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) — on any construction project that regularly employs 20 or more workers and is expected to run for three months or longer. If you're a homeowner overseeing a major renovation or a contractor managing a qualifying site, this rule affects you directly.

Here's a plain-English breakdown of what the regulation requires, who it applies to, and how to stay on the right side of Ontario's inspectors.

Why Ontario Introduced This Rule

The numbers behind this legislation are sobering. Ontario government data shows roughly 7,000 Ontarians experience sudden cardiac arrest every year. Without immediate intervention, fewer than one in ten survive. Critically, survival rates drop by approximately 10% for every minute that passes without defibrillation — meaning the difference between a device being 60 seconds away versus five minutes away can be the difference between life and death.

Construction sites are physically demanding environments with an older-than-average workforce. A cardiac event on a busy site, far from the nearest hospital, is exactly the scenario an AED is designed to address.

The legislative vehicle is Ontario's Working for Workers Seven Act, 2025 (Bill 30), which received Royal Assent on November 27, 2025. Bill 30 amended the *Occupational Health and Safety Act* (OHSA) and gave force to O. Reg. 157/25, which added section 27.1 to Ontario's Construction Regulation (O. Reg. 213/91). The rule took effect January 1, 2026.

Which Sites Must Have an AED

The threshold has two conditions — both must be met:

If your renovation or construction project clears both bars, the *constructor* — generally the general contractor or whoever controls the project — is legally responsible for having a compliant AED on site.

For most homeowners, a typical kitchen or bathroom renovation handled by a small crew won't meet the 20-worker threshold. But larger projects — a full home addition, a multi-unit build, a major commercial-residential conversion — often will. If you're the project owner and you've hired a general contractor, ask them directly whether your project qualifies and what they've put in place.

What "Compliant" Actually Looks Like

Meeting the rule isn't just about buying any defibrillator and leaving it in a toolbox. O. Reg. 157/25 and the accompanying guidance spell out specific requirements:

The device itself

Signage

Inspection and records

Trained worker on site

Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development inspectors can issue orders for non-compliance under section 27.1 of O. Reg. 213/91. Repeated or serious violations can escalate to stop-work orders and prosecution under the OHSA.

The WSIB Reimbursement Program: Up to $2,500 Back

Buying a compliant AED isn't cheap. Market prices for a qualifying device run approximately $2,300, and that's before signage, accessories, and training.

To offset the upfront cost, Ontario established the WSIB AED Reimbursement Program under O. Reg. 360/25. Key details:

The reimbursement covers one AED per qualifying site. If you're running multiple qualifying projects simultaneously, each site can be submitted separately. WSIB confirmed the program opened January 1, 2026, so eligible purchases made as far back as July 1, 2025 — in anticipation of the rule — qualify.

Contractors should apply as soon as possible after purchasing. Waiting until mid-2027 to apply for a 2025 or 2026 purchase is risky; processing times and any documentation gaps are easier to resolve when the purchase is recent.

What This Means If You're a Homeowner Hiring a Contractor

You're probably not the constructor on your own renovation — your general contractor is. But as the project owner, you have every reason to ask whether they're compliant.

Here's why it matters to you:

When you're comparing quotes for a larger project, add this to your checklist alongside verifying WSIB coverage, liability insurance, and applicable trade licences. You can cross-reference a contractor's credentials and reputation through ProScore's general contractor listings — the Trust Index draws on verified credentials, customer sentiment, business transparency, and reputation signals to give you a single, meaningful score.

Compliance Checklist for Constructors

If you're a contractor managing a qualifying site, use this as a starting point:

For larger firms running multiple sites, assign a single person to track AED compliance across all qualifying projects — the same way you'd track fall-protection or confined-space documentation.

FAQ

Does the AED rule apply to residential renovation projects in Ontario?

Yes, if the project meets both thresholds: 20 or more workers regularly on site at the same time, and an expected duration of three months or longer. Most small residential renovations won't meet the 20-worker bar, but larger additions, multi-unit conversions, or new builds often will. When in doubt, the constructor should assess the project against both criteria and document their reasoning.

Who is responsible for providing the AED on a construction site — the homeowner or the general contractor?

Under O. Reg. 157/25, the *constructor* carries the obligation. On most projects, that's the general contractor or the firm that controls the project site. Homeowners acting as their own general contractor on a qualifying project would bear the responsibility themselves, but this is uncommon on sites large enough to trigger the 20-worker threshold.

Can a contractor get reimbursed for an AED they already purchased before the rule took effect?

Yes. The WSIB AED Reimbursement Program covers AEDs purchased between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2027 — so purchases made in the second half of 2025, before the January 1, 2026 rule came into force, are eligible. Applications must be submitted by July 31, 2027 through the WSIB Business Safety Portal.

Hiring a Contractor Who Takes Safety Seriously

Regulatory compliance — whether it's AED requirements, WSIB coverage, or trade licensing — is one of the clearest signals of a professional operation. Contractors who stay current on rules like O. Reg. 157/25 tend to run safer, better-documented projects from start to finish.

Before you sign a contract for any major project, check the contractor's credentials and track record. ProScore has scored 16,400+ Ontario contractors across 880+ Ontario cities, drawing on 39,000+ reviews analyzed and 10+ data sources. The Trust Index gives you a single, transparent score — so you can compare contractors on what actually matters, not just who has the best website.

Browse general contractors near you or explore all trade categories to start your search.