A monthly AED inspection takes about three minutes and covers 12 points: status indicator, battery expiry, spare battery, pad expiry on both sets, pad seal integrity, pediatric pads, rescue kit contents, cabinet and alarm, signage and visibility, device exterior and connections, software/firmware version, and the maintenance log entry itself. Manufacturers (Philips, ZOLL, Physio-Control, Cardiac Science, Defibtech) all specify a visual check at least monthly, and most state AED statutes require the owner to maintain the unit per those manufacturer instructions. Anything flagged — a red X, a chirping unit, a pad set within 90 days of expiry — gets corrected before the device goes back into service.
Why the monthly check is a legal obligation, not a nicety
OSHA does not have a standalone AED standard, but 29 CFR 1910.151(b) requires that "a person or persons shall be adequately trained to render first aid" where no infirmary or clinic is in near proximity, and the General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act, covers recognized hazards. More specific obligations come from state law: nearly every state has an AED statute tied to Good Samaritan immunity, and the near-universal condition is that the owner maintain and test the device according to the manufacturer's guidelines. Skip the maintenance and you can forfeit the civil immunity that made deploying the AED attractive in the first place.
FDA also classifies AEDs as Class III medical devices requiring premarket approval, which is why manufacturer recall notices matter — and why your log should record the device serial number so you can match it against a recall quickly.
The 12 inspection points
1. Status / readiness indicator
Every AED self-tests on a schedule — daily, weekly, or monthly depending on model — and reports the result through a blinking green light, a solid green check, an hourglass, or a red X. Look at it directly; don't assume. A ZOLL AED Plus shows a green check in the window; a Philips HeartStart OnSite blinks green roughly once per second. Any red indicator, audible chirp, or blank window means the unit is out of service until resolved.
2. Battery install-by and expiry dates
Record both the install date and the manufacturer expiry. Typical standby life is 4 years (Philips HeartStart OnSite M5070A), 5 years (ZOLL AED Plus uses 10 consumer-grade Type 123A lithium batteries), or 4–5 years for the Physio-Control LIFEPAK CR2. Replace at 90 days out, not on the expiry date — procurement lead times are real.
3. Spare battery on hand
If you keep a spare, check its expiry too. Spares sitting in a drawer expire silently. Confirm it is the correct part number for the device, not a lookalike from a retired unit.
4. Adult pad expiry
Defibrillation pads use a conductive gel that dries out. Shelf life is typically 18—30 months from manufacture, and the date is printed on the foil pouch. An expired pad may fail to adhere or deliver inconsistent impedance readings.
5. Pad pouch seal and condition
Check the foil pouch for punctures, crushing, or a broken vacuum seal. If the pouch looks puffed or has a torn corner, treat the pads as unusable regardless of date.
6. Spare pad set present
One set gets used in a real event; a second set lets a prolonged resuscitation continue if pads lose adhesion on a sweating or diaphoretic patient. Keep one spare set minimum per device.
7. Pediatric pads or pediatric mode
For patients under 8 years or roughly 25 kg (55 lb), pediatric pads or an attenuator key should be available. Some devices (ZOLL AED Plus) use dedicated pedi-padz; the LIFEPAK CR2 uses a child mode button. Check expiry on pediatric pads separately — they expire on a different clock.
8. Rescue kit contents
Open the kit. The standard contents and the reason each exists:
- Nitrile gloves (2 pairs, latex-free) — barrier protection
- CPR face shield or pocket mask with one-way valve
- Trauma shears — to cut through clothing and underwire bras
- Disposable razor — chest hair prevents pad contact
- Absorbent towel — a wet chest will arc
- Biohazard bag for contaminated materials
- Alcohol prep pads (optional, do not use on a wet chest as the sole dry-down)
9. Cabinet, alarm and accessibility
Open the cabinet door and confirm the alarm sounds (9V battery in most wall cabinets). Confirm nothing is stacked in front of the cabinet. Target retrieval-to-shock time is under 3 minutes; survival drops roughly 7–10% for each minute without defibrillation.
10. Signage and wayfinding
The universal AED sign (ILCOR heart-and-lightning-bolt, white on green) should be visible from both directions of travel. Confirm the device location is current on the floor plan and in the emergency action plan required by 29 CFR 1910.38.
11. Device exterior, screen and connector
Look for cracks, liquid ingress, dented casing, and confirm the pad connector is fully seated in the socket. Wipe the case with a damp cloth; do not immerse or use abrasive cleaners.
12. Log entry signed and dated
The inspection is only defensible if it's documented. Record date, inspector name, device serial number, status indicator result, battery expiry, pad expiry, and any corrective action with a completion date. Keep logs for a minimum of 3 years, or longer if your state or insurer requires it.
Inspection intervals at a glance
| Item | Check frequency | Typical replacement interval | Action trigger |
|---|---|---|---|
| Status indicator | Every shift (visual glance) | N/A | Any non-green display |
| Full 12-point inspection | Monthly | N/A | Any failed point |
| Main battery | Monthly (date check) | 2–5 years by model | 90 days before expiry |
| Adult pads | Monthly (date check) | 18–30 months | 90 days before expiry |
| Pediatric pads | Monthly | 18–24 months | 90 days before expiry |
| Rescue kit contents | Quarterly (open and verify) | As consumed | Any missing item |
| Cabinet alarm battery | Quarterly | Annually | No audible alarm |
| Firmware / recall check | Annually | Per manufacturer notice | Any FDA recall notice |
| Responder recertification | N/A | Every 2 years | Card expiry |
The before-every-shift version
You do not need all 12 points daily. The shift-start check is three items, takes ten seconds, and should be built into the opening walkthrough:
- Status indicator is green / showing ready
- Cabinet is unobstructed and unlocked
- Rescue kit pouch is physically present and sealed
Assign it to the same role each shift — opening supervisor, charge nurse, shift lead — rather than to a person, so it survives turnover.
Equipment readiness is only half the system
A perfectly maintained AED is useless if nobody on the floor will open the cabinet. Designated responders should hold current certification — a Standard CPR / AED credential covers recognition of sudden cardiac arrest, compression technique, and correct pad placement, and is typically valid for two years. Note plainly: an online-only course covers the knowledge component. Many employers, state licensing boards and healthcare credentialing bodies require an in-person skills check on a manikin before they will accept the certification, so confirm what your organization accepts before enrolling.
Because a cardiac arrest response usually involves blood, vomit or saliva, responders should also be current on Bloodborne Pathogens training, which OSHA requires annually under 29 CFR 1910.1030(g)(2)(ii) for employees with occupational exposure. Teams that respond to broader medical events — bleeding, fractures, anaphylaxis — benefit from pairing AED training with Standard First Aid.
Frequently asked questions
Does OSHA require AEDs in the workplace?
No. There is no federal OSHA standard mandating AEDs in general industry. OSHA requires trained first-aid personnel under 29 CFR 1910.151(b) when medical help is not in near proximity, and has issued guidance (Technical Information Bulletin on AEDs) encouraging deployment. State statutes, building codes and some industry regulations — including certain healthcare, school and gym requirements — do impose mandates.
Can I use expired AED pads in an emergency?
If expired pads are the only option in a live cardiac arrest, use them — a possibly degraded pad beats no defibrillation. But expired pads must never be left in service as the primary set. Replace them and document the replacement.
What do I do if the AED is chirping or showing a red X?
Remove the device from service immediately, post a clearly marked out-of-service tag, deploy a backup AED to that location if you have one, and contact the manufacturer or your service vendor. Record the fault code and the serial number — most self-test failures are battery-related and resolve with a battery swap.
How long should we keep AED maintenance logs?
Three years is the common floor; many risk managers and insurers want the full service life of the device plus the applicable statute of limitations for personal injury in your state, often 2–6 years. Keep logs for a used AED indefinitely if it was deployed in an actual event.
Get your responders certified
Checklists keep the hardware ready; training keeps the people ready. FastCredentials offers self-paced Standard CPR / AED training with an immediate downloadable certificate, so you can get new hires and shift leads documented the same week they start. Enroll your team today.