WSIB AED Reimbursement Program for Ontario Construction Sites

Big safety news for Ontario’s construction sector: as of January 1, 2026, businesses can apply for reimbursement from the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) to help cover the cost of purchasing automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for qualifying job sites.

This support comes alongside new provincial regulations requiring AEDs on many construction projects — a move that’s designed to save lives and make job sites safer. Here’s what you need to know.

About the WSIB AED Reimbursement Program

The WSIB’s AED reimbursement program aims to reduce the financial burden on contractors who are now required to have AEDs on certain construction projects under Ontario regulations.

The program will:

• Open on January 1, 2026, the same date the new AED requirement takes effect.
• Allow eligible businesses to request a reimbursement of up to $2,500 for the purchase cost (including taxes) of one qualified AED per project.
• Accept reimbursement requests until July 31, 2027, for AEDs purchased between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2027.

To apply, businesses must download and complete the reimbursement request form and submit it through their WSIB online services account.

Why This Matters for Construction Employers

AEDs can significantly increase survival rates during sudden cardiac arrest — especially when paired with trained responders. In high-risk, physically demanding environments like construction sites, access to AEDs can be the difference between life and death.

Beyond safety outcomes, the reimbursement program:

• Reduces the financial barrier to complying with the new AED regulations.
• Helps smaller contractors and multi-site operators manage equipment costs across projects.
• Signals a broader provincial push toward proactive health and safety support by the WSIB.

But it’s important to note that the reimbursement only covers the purchase cost of the AED itself — not ongoing maintenance, signage, installation, or training. These responsibilities still fall on the constructor.

Who Is Eligible?

To qualify for reimbursement, your business must:

• Be the constructor on the project as defined under Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act.
• Be registered with the WSIB and have an active account.
• Expect the project to run three months or longer and regularly employ 20 or more workers.
• Have a trained first aider on site when work is underway.

If you’re running multiple qualifying projects, you can submit a separate reimbursement request for each one — meaning one AED reimbursement per site.

How the Reimbursement Works

Once your reimbursement request is approved:

• WSIB will typically apply the reimbursement credit to your account within 60 days.
• If you’re current with your premium reporting and payments, you can request a cheque instead of an account credit.

This flexibility can help contractors manage cash flow while ensuring sites remain compliant and safe.

New AED Regulation Still in Effect — Compliance Required

The reimbursement program aligns with Ontario Regulation 157/25, which makes AEDs mandatory on qualifying construction projects starting January 1, 2026. Under that rule, constructors must:

• Make sure a Health Canada-approved AED is installed and maintained on site.
• Clearly mark the AED location and ensure it’s accessible.
• Have at least one person on site trained in CPR and AED use whenever work is underway.

The WSIB reimbursement program helps with one part of compliance — equipment cost — but not with training or ongoing preparedness. That’s where organisations like CrossSafety come in.

How CrossSafety Can Help

Getting reimbursed for the AED is great — but having someone on your site who knows how to use it matters even more. CrossSafety offers CPR & AED training tailored for construction teams to ensure your crew can respond confidently when every second counts.

Stay compliant. Stay ready. Get certified today: Standard First Aid CPR/AED Level C — SkillsCross