I have been a Carpenter for 18 years, now beginning my career in construction health and safety, I was shocked to discover that defibrillators (AEDs) are not mandatory on construction sites. Despite the physically demanding and high-risk nature of the industry, many sites lack this life-saving equipment. AEDs COST BETWEEN £800-£1500. 

Construction workers face long hours, heavy lifting, extreme weather, and exposure to hazardous materials, all of which increase the risk of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Unlike office environments, construction workers may be far from medical help, meaning every second counts when an emergency happens.

But if a worker collapses from a cardiac arrest today on most UK construction sites, there is no guarantee that an AED will be available to save them.

Why This Matters

- Every year, construction workers suffer sudden cardiac arrests on-site, and many do not survive.

- Survival rates drop by 10% per minute without defibrillation, and emergency response times are often too long.

- AEDs increase survival rates to over 70% when used within minutes, yet they are not legally required on UK construction sites.

The construction industry already has strict safety measures for falls, fires, and first aid. So why is there no legal requirement for a piece of equipment that could mean the difference between life and death?

Tragic Cases That Could Have Been Prevented

- HS2 Chiltern Tunnel (2023): A worker suffered a suspected cardiac arrest in the site office. Despite efforts from colleagues and medics, he was pronounced dead.

- Kensington High Street, London (2023): A construction worker went into cardiac arrest on-site. Despite paramedics arriving quickly, he did not survive.

-Many other cases remain unreported – and in many, it is unclear whether an AED was available. If it wasn’t, could a defibrillator have saved them?

AEDs Have Already Saved Lives on Construction Sites

✅ HMP Brinsford Project (2024): Chris Bird, 46, suffered a sudden cardiac arrest at work. His colleagues used an on-site defibrillator and CPR to revive him after 16 minutes. He survived because an AED was present.

✅ McDermotts Construction: After a worker collapsed from cardiac arrest, colleagues used an AED to save his life. The company has since equipped all sites with defibrillators.

AEDs are proven to work—so why aren’t they required everywhere?

Why Aren’t AEDs Already Mandatory?

🛑 UK construction regulations do not require AEDs, even though they are mandatory in airports, stadiums, and public buildings.

🛑 Other countries, like Australia, Denmark, and parts of the USA, already require AEDs in high-risk workplaces.

🛑 Many construction companies only install AEDs after a tragedy has occurred—but why wait for another preventable death?

We Demand Change!

We are calling on the UK Government and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to - 

1️⃣ Make AEDs a legal requirement on construction sites with 30+ workers or lasting more than 6 months.

2️⃣ Require AED training for all CITB-certified first aiders.

3️⃣ Update HSE regulations to classify AEDs as essential first aid equipment in construction.

Please Sign This Petition to Save Lives!

Too many construction workers have died needlessly from cardiac arrest because AEDs weren’t available. Let’s not wait for another tragedy.

📢 Sign and share this petition – let’s make UK construction sites heart-safe!