December 26, 2001—Because the use of automated external defibrillators can save the lives of workers who experience cardiac arrest while on the job, the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) is encouraging employers to consider making this equipment available in their workplaces.
According to the agency, if electric shock (defibrillation) is administered within three minutes of cardiac arrest, it can increase survival rates from less than 5 percent to nearly 75 percent. Immediate defibrillation can revive more than 90 percent of victims.
Automated external defibrillators, which are lightweight and run on rechargeable batteries, are are designed to analyze the heart rhythm and automatically indicate when to administer the shock. Each unit costs from $3,000 to $4,500.
OSHA has issued a fact card and a technical information bulletin in PDF format on the use of these devices. The publications can be read online or obtained by calling OSHA’s publications office at 800/321-OSHA.
