CPR / AED
CPR & AED Workplace Guidelines
Everything your organization needs to know about CPR readiness, AED placement, training frequency, and OSHA compliance for workplace cardiac emergency response.
Cardiac arrest can happen anywhere — including your workplace. OSHA requires employers to ensure that trained first aid personnel are available when a medical facility is not in close proximity (29 CFR 1910.151). Having employees trained in CPR and AED use, and having AEDs properly placed and maintained, can mean the difference between life and death in the critical minutes before emergency services arrive.
OSHA CPR & First Aid Requirements
OSHA's first aid standard (29 CFR 1910.151) requires employers to ensure the ready availability of medical personnel for advice and consultation on matters of employee health. Where a medical facility is not reasonably accessible for treatment of injured employees, a person trained to render first aid — including CPR — must be available at the worksite. The number of trained responders required depends on your workforce size, facility layout, and the nature of your work.
Key Guidelines
- At least one CPR/first aid trained employee must be available per shift in facilities without nearby medical services
- High-hazard industries (construction, manufacturing, warehousing) should have a higher ratio of trained responders
- Document all CPR training with employee name, date, course title, and instructor
- Retain training records for the duration of employment plus 3 years as a best practice
- Review your coverage whenever your workforce size, layout, or shift structure changes
AED Placement & Accessibility
The goal of AED placement is to ensure a device can be retrieved and used within 3–5 minutes of a cardiac arrest — the window in which survival rates are highest. OSHA and the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine recommend placing AEDs so that any point in your facility is within a 90-second walk of a device. Placement should account for building layout, employee density, and areas of elevated risk.
Key Guidelines
- Place AEDs so no employee is more than a 90-second walk (roughly 100 yards) from a device
- Mount AEDs in high-visibility, clearly marked cabinets at eye level in high-traffic areas
- Prioritize placement near break rooms, lobbies, fitness areas, and production floors
- Ensure AED locations are included on facility maps and emergency action plans
- Post AED location signs at eye level and at decision points (hallway intersections, stairwells)
- Verify AEDs are accessible 24/7 and not locked behind restricted-access doors during occupied hours
AED Inspection & Maintenance
An AED that fails during a cardiac emergency is worse than no AED at all — it creates false confidence. Regular inspection and maintenance are essential. Most AEDs have a self-test function and a status indicator light, but employers must also conduct manual checks and follow the manufacturer's maintenance schedule for pads, batteries, and software updates.
Key Guidelines
- Conduct a visual inspection of each AED at least monthly — check the status indicator, pads, and battery
- Replace electrode pads before their expiration date — typically every 2 years
- Replace batteries per manufacturer schedule — typically every 4–5 years or after any use
- Log all inspections with date, inspector name, and findings — keep records for at least 3 years
- After any AED use, remove the device from service, replace pads and battery, and have it inspected before returning to use
- Register your AED with the manufacturer to receive recall and software update notifications
CPR Training Frequency & Recertification
CPR skills degrade over time without practice. Most safety professionals recommend recertification every 2 years for adult CPR, with annual skills refreshers for high-risk environments. Employers should build CPR training into their annual safety calendar and track expiration dates for all certified employees to ensure continuous coverage on every shift.
Key Guidelines
- Schedule CPR recertification every 2 years for all designated first responders
- Conduct annual skills refreshers (even without full recertification) for high-hazard environments
- Track certification expiration dates for every trained employee in a safety training log
- Ensure at least one certified employee is present on every shift — account for vacations and turnover
- Train new employees before they begin work in areas where they may be a designated responder
- Include AED familiarization in every CPR training session — hands-on practice with your specific device model
Building a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan
A Cardiac Emergency Response Plan (CERP) formalizes your organization's approach to cardiac arrest response. It identifies who calls 911, who retrieves the AED, who begins CPR, and who meets emergency services at the entrance. Having a written plan and practicing it through drills dramatically improves response times and outcomes.
Key Guidelines
- Designate a cardiac emergency response team with clearly assigned roles for each shift
- Post the response plan near each AED and in break rooms — include the address and nearest entrance for 911 dispatch
- Practice the response plan at least annually with a mock cardiac arrest drill
- Assign someone to meet EMS at the building entrance and escort them directly to the patient
- Debrief after every real event and every drill — identify what worked and what needs improvement
- Provide post-incident support resources for employees involved in a cardiac emergency response
Cardiac Arrest Strikes Without Warning
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