OSHA Requirements for AED

Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are portable machines that monitor the heart of a person who may be experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. The machine can direct a rescuer to push the button to deliver electric shock to the victim's heart, if needed, to bring the heart back to normal rhythm.



The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not specifically require AEDs. However, OSHA's General Duty Clause states that employers must provide as safe a workplace as possible. Therefore, the AED is often available in a first-aid office or included with a first-aid kit. OSHA does require that any employee who might have cause to use an AED should be adequately trained.

OSHA Standard Regarding First Aid

• The OSHA First-Aid Standard (29 CFR 1910.151) states that the workplace should have trained first-aid providers and approved first-aid equipment on each work site if there is not a hospital or other medical facility nearby. The trained persons must have immediate access to lifesaving and other first-aid supplies. AEDs, if not included inside a first-aid kit, should be in a clearly marked container near the first-aid kit.

First-Aid Written Program

• OSHA requires that workplaces include a first aid section in their written safety program. Copies of the written safety program for each workplace must be in areas where workers have easy access to the program, as well as in a management office where OSHA records are kept for inspection purposes.

  The written safety program should state the company's policy on first-aid equipment and stations, training for all employees and extra training for persons in charge. The policy should list the types of emergency equipment provided, such as AEDs, CPR face shields and what is to included in the first-aid kits. The location of all first-aid kits, as well as how an employee knows who is the trained first-aid provider in his area.

First-Aid Stations and Supply Storage Areas

• First-aid kits often include AEDs.

  Many large industrial and construction facilities have a specific first-aid office. Some work sites have only first-aid storage stations or simply a first-aid kit. Each first-aid station, emergency equipment storage area or first-aid kit must include basic supplies such as bandages, sterilization solution, eye-wash, CPR protective masks and other items as deemed necessary for particular areas. An AED has become an item that many workplaces consider part of the mandatory first-aid supplies.

First-Aid Training

• Training for basic first aid, CPR and other lifesaving techniques are required by OSHA. Most first-aid courses, including the American Red Cross First Aid/CPR training include the use of AEDs. All persons in a workplace are to be trained as part of the OSHA's 10-hour safety course before beginning work on a new job. Updates are usually required every year. However, some employers update workers on these lifesaving issues more frequently, especially in work situations that contain certain potential hazards. Confined spaces, electrical power stations, near-water workplaces and fire risk sites are some of the work situations that might require more frequent first aid, CPR and AED training.