www.osha.gov

OSHA 3185-09N 2003

Saving Sudden Cardiac 

Arrest Victims in 

the Workplace

Automated External Defibrillators
Improving survival from sudden cardiac arrest.

There are 220,000 victims of sudden cardiac arrest

per year in the United States; about 10,000 sudden

cardiac arrests occur at work.

Waiting for the arrival of emergency medical system

personnel results in only 5-7% survival.

Studies with immediate defibrillation have shown up

to 60% survival one year after sudden cardiac arrest.

Automated external defibrillators

An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a 

medical device designed to analyze the heart rhythm

and deliver an electric shock to victims of ventricular 

fibrillation to restore the heart rhythm to normal.

Ventricular fibrillation is the uncoordinated heart

rhythm most often responsible for sudden 

cardiac arrest.

Sudden cardiac arrest

Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when ventricular 

fibrillation takes place or when the heart stops 

beating altogether. Without medical attention, the 

victim collapses, loses consciousness, becomes 

unresponsive, and dies. Many victims have no 

prior history of heart disease and are stricken 

without warning.

Causes of sudden cardiac arrest

• Heart attack

• Electrocution

• Asphyxiation (loss of consciousness and death 

caused by inadequate oxygen in the work 

environment, such as in a confined space).

Reasons for AEDs in the workplace

• Workers may suffer sudden cardiac arrest while 

on the job. 

• Onsite AEDs save precious treatment time, and 

can improve survival odds because they can be 

used before emergency medical service (EMS) 

personnel arrive.

• A heart rhythm in ventricular fibrillation may only 

be restored to normal by an electric shock. 

• The AED is compact, lightweight, portable, battery 

operated, safe, and easy to use.

Placement of AEDs

• AEDs should be conveniently installed to ensure 

response within 3-5 minutes.

• Areas where many people work closely together, 

such as assembly lines and office buildings.

• Close to a confined space.

• Areas where electric-powered devices are used.
• Outdoor worksites where lightning may occur.

• Health units where workers may seek treatment 

for heart attack symptoms.

• Company fitness units and cafeterias.

• Remote sites, such as off-shore drilling rigs, 

construction projects, marine vessels, power 

transmission lines, and energy pipe lines.

AED program cost

AEDs cost $1200-$3000 per device. 

Training, annual retraining, and administrative costs

are additional.

AED training

Your workers can easily be trained to:

• Recognize sudden cardiac arrest and notify 

EMS personnel,

• Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR),

• Provide early defibrillation with an AED, and

• Care for the victim until EMS personnel arrive.

For more information, visit the OSHA website at

www.osha.gov or the websites of the following

organizations:

• American Heart Association

• American College of Occupational and 

Environmental Medicine

• American Red Cross

• Federal Occupational Health

• National Center for Early Defibrillation

• National Safety Council

SUCCESS STORIES

From the American Heart Association

• A 41-year-old worker at a manufacturer of heating

and air-conditioning systems suffered a sudden 

cardiac arrest at work. After three shocks and CPR 

he was revived within 4 minutes. Fortunately, his 

company had AEDs and trained responders. By 

the time EMS personnel arrived, he had been 

resuscitated and was moved to a hospital. The

employee survived. 

• A 62-year-old employee of a coatings, glass, and

chemical manufacturer suffered a sudden cardiac

arrest after walking up the stairs to her office.

Employees in the next office heard her fall and 

notified the plant emergency response team. She

was defibrillated and saved in less than 2 minutes.

EMS personnel then arrived to transport her to the

hospital. She sent a note to the company after her

discharge from the hospital saying she had "no

doubt that headquarters spent money wisely."
• An employee at an automobile manufacturer was

working on the production line when he suddenly

collapsed, lost consciousness, and stopped breathing.

Plant security responded, and after two shocks with

an AED, the employee’s heart responded and his

pulse returned. He’s alive today thanks to the fast

actions of his co-workers and the company’s 

emergency response plan, which included AED

installation and training.

From the National Institute for 

Occupational Safety and Health

• While standing on a fire escape during a building

renovation, a 30-year-old construction worker was

holding a metal pipe with both hands. The pipe 

contacted a high voltage line, and the worker instantly

collapsed. About 4 minutes later, a rescue squad

arrived and began CPR. Within 6 minutes the squad

had defibrillated the worker. His heartbeat returned to

normal and he was transported to a hospital. The

worker regained consciousness and was discharged

from the hospital within 2 weeks.

AEDS SAVE LIVES!

These devices have a proven track record of saving

lives in public places as well as in the workplace.

They can do the same for you and your employees.

Please consider installing AEDs in your workplace.

This informational booklet provides a general overview of a

particular topic related to OSHA standards. It does not alter

or determine compliance responsibilities in OSHA standards

or the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. Because

interpretations and enforcement policy may change over

time, you should consult current OSHA administrative 

interpretations and decisions by the Occupational Safety

and Health Review Commission and the Courts for 

additional guidance on OSHA compliance requirements.

This publication is in the public domain and may be 

reproduced, fully or partially, without permission. 

Source credit is requested but not required.

This information is available to sensory impaired individuals

upon request. Voice phone: (202) 693-1999; 

teletypewriter (TTY) number: (877) 889-5627.