EHS Insights
Workplace CPR and AED training can mean the difference between life and death during a cardiac emergency. Here is what every employer needs to know about building a stronger emergency preparedness program.
Sudden cardiac arrest can happen anywhere — on a construction site, in an office, at a manufacturing facility, or during routine daily operations. That is why workplace CPR and AED training is one of the most critical and often overlooked components of a proactive Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) program. In many cases, the actions taken within the first few minutes before emergency responders arrive can make the difference between life and death.
National CPR and AED Awareness Week serves as an important reminder for organizations to evaluate their emergency preparedness programs and ensure employees are equipped to respond confidently during a cardiac emergency. For employers, this is not simply a best practice — it is a core EHS responsibility.
According to the American Heart Association, more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of hospitals each year in the United States. Immediate CPR can double or even triple a person’s chance of survival, especially when paired with rapid AED use. Without immediate response, survival rates decrease by 7 to 10 percent for every minute that passes without defibrillation.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a lifesaving technique used when a person’s heart stops beating effectively. Hands-only CPR for adults involves hard and fast chest compressions delivered at approximately 100 to 120 compressions per minute until professional medical help arrives. Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are portable devices designed to analyze heart rhythms and deliver an electric shock if necessary to help restore a normal heartbeat. Modern AEDs are designed for use by both trained responders and the general public, providing step-by-step voice and visual instructions throughout the emergency.
According to OSHA Emergency Preparedness Resources, rapid emergency response planning and employee preparedness are essential components of workplace safety programs. In many workplace environments, AEDs are commonly located in break rooms, security offices, manufacturing facilities, warehouses, construction trailers, and front office areas — but simply purchasing an AED is not enough without a supporting workplace CPR and AED training program.
Many organizations underestimate how quickly confusion can occur during an emergency. Common gaps in workplace emergency response programs include:
Without clear planning and regular workplace CPR and AED training, valuable time can be lost during a cardiac emergency — time that directly impacts whether a person survives. Strong programs should include trained and designated responders, routine AED equipment inspections, accessible AED placement throughout facilities, and documented emergency communication protocols.
In high-risk industries such as construction, manufacturing, logistics, and industrial operations, emergency preparedness becomes even more critical due to the physical demands of work and the potential for delayed emergency response access. Remote worksites, large facilities, and environments with elevated physical exertion all increase the likelihood that a cardiac event will occur in a location where trained responders and accessible equipment are essential to survival.
National CPR and AED Awareness Week is the right time to evaluate your organization’s emergency preparedness program and identify gaps before an emergency occurs.
Ensure a sufficient number of employees across every shift and location hold current CPR and AED certifications. Workplace CPR and AED training should be scheduled regularly, with refresher courses conducted at least every two years or as required by applicable standards. Consider designating trained first responders at each facility and worksite.
An AED that is out of service, has expired pads, or a dead battery provides no value in an emergency. Organizations should establish routine AED inspection schedules that verify:
Emergency procedures should be clearly documented, posted near AED locations, and communicated to all employees. Procedures should outline how to activate emergency services, who to notify, the location of AEDs, and the roles of designated responders. Organizations should review these procedures at least annually and update them whenever personnel or facility layouts change.
Regular drills and safety conversations help employees build confidence and reduce hesitation during an actual emergency. National CPR and AED Awareness Week provides a natural opportunity to conduct toolbox talks, walk through emergency scenarios, and reinforce response expectations across all departments and worksites.
Workplace CPR and AED training should not operate in isolation. It should be integrated into the organization’s broader safety management system — connected to emergency action plans, OSHA compliance requirements, incident response procedures, and overall safety culture initiatives. Organizations that treat emergency preparedness as a core EHS function are better positioned to protect workers and maintain operational continuity.
CPR and AED preparedness should not operate separately from broader EHS initiatives. CMI provides practical, compliance-focused solutions to help organizations build and maintain stronger emergency preparedness programs, including:
Organizations that invest in proactive workplace CPR and AED training and emergency planning are better positioned to protect workers, reduce risk, and maintain operational continuity when every second counts.
Organizations with proactive emergency preparedness programs typically experience:
