How to Conduct an AED Safety Audit for Your Workplace

Caitlin-Renèe Holmes

Published:28 October 2024

You might think that having an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) in your workplace means you’re prepared for an emergency, but how often do you verify its accessibility, functionality, and compliance? Imagine a scenario where a sudden cardiac arrest occurs, and you rush to grab the AED – only to discover it hasn’t been maintained, or worse, it’s inaccessible. In this guide, we’ll walk you through a detailed AED safety audit to ensure your device is not just available but fully ready to save lives when needed.

Step 1: Verify AED Accessibility

An AED is only as good as its availability. If it’s locked in a closet or buried in the back of an office, it might as well be non-existent in an emergency. You need to ensure that the AED is easily accessible to everyone in your workplace.

Is the AED located in a central area? Ensure it’s placed where it can be reached within 3 minutes by anyone, from any point in the building.
Is the location marked clearly? Install visible signage to guide employees, visitors, or first responders to the AED. Signs should be placed at eye level and near major entry points.
Are employees aware of its location? It’s essential to inform all employees of the AED’s placement and regularly remind them during safety drills.

For more information on the importance of workplace defibrillators, check out our article on why every office needs a defibrillator.

Step 2: Ensure Proper AED Functionality

Having an AED that doesn’t function properly during an emergency can be devastating. Conduct regular checks to guarantee it’s always in working condition.

Battery Check: Make sure the battery is not expired. AEDs typically have battery indicators; check these regularly to avoid being caught off guard.
Pads Inspection: AED pads have a shelf life. Verify that they’re not expired and that there are enough spare pads in case one set is used.
Self-Test Functionality: Many AEDs perform daily or weekly self-tests. Ensure your device has this feature and that it hasn’t indicated any errors.

Manual Check: Once a month, conduct a manual check of the AED. Remove it from the case, check for any visible damage, and confirm that the voice prompts are working when you turn it on.

28 October 2024

Step 3: Verify Legal Compliance

Ensure that your AED is compliant with local laws and regulations. In some countries, having an AED is not enough – there are also mandatory requirements for training and registration.

Are you meeting legal requirements? Depending on your region, you may be required to register your AED with local emergency services or have a certain number of trained personnel on-site.
Is your staff trained? Ensure at least 10% of your staff is trained to use an AED and perform CPR. Training refreshers should be conducted annually to keep everyone up to date.

Step 4: Implement Regular AED Drills

Training alone isn’t enough – employees need to be comfortable with using an AED during an actual emergency. Regular drills reinforce the importance of knowing how to respond swiftly.

Conduct mock scenarios: Hold quarterly AED drills where staff must locate, access, and use the AED on a training dummy. This will reveal any bottlenecks in accessibility or gaps in knowledge.
Review performance: After each drill, assess how smoothly the process went. Were there delays? Did employees know how to use the AED properly? Make adjustments as necessary.

Step 5: Monitor AED Expiration Dates

While batteries and pads are the most obvious components with expiration dates, the AED unit itself can also become outdated over time.

Check for upgrades: Depending on your AED model, it might be worth checking if software updates or newer, more efficient models are available.
Renew registration: If your AED is registered with local authorities, ensure that this registration is renewed as required to stay compliant.

Final Check: Ensuring Your Workplace AED is Always Ready

An AED can be the difference between life and death in your workplace, but only if it’s accessible, functional, and compliant. Conducting regular AED safety audits ensures that when an emergency strikes, you and your team are fully prepared. Remember, preparedness isn’t just about owning the right equipment – it’s about ensuring that equipment is always ready to perform.