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AED requirements for utility contractors, tree trimming crews, line workers, and electrical field teams — what the Justin Kropp Safety Act means for everyone working near high-voltage lines.
In October 2025, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 365 into law, formally titled The Justin Kropp Safety Act. The bill creates one of the most specific AED placement requirements in the country, targeting a profession where sudden cardiac arrest and electrical injury risk are part of daily reality: electrical line work.
But this law does not just apply to utility companies. It applies equally to every independent contractor and subcontractor working on their behalf — including tree trimming crews, line construction firms, underground utility contractors, and emergency response teams. If your crews work on or near high-voltage transmission or distribution lines, AB365 applies to you.
For utilities, contractors, and the safety professionals who oversee them, AB365 represents a meaningful shift in legal duty. Here is what the law actually says, who has to comply, and what a compliant AED program looks like in the field.
Named directly in the law as the responsible party.
The requirement follows the work, not the employer.
Justin Kropp was a Southern California Edison lineman who died on the job after suffering cardiac arrest at a worksite without an AED nearby. His family and colleagues pushed for the legislation that now carries his name. The argument in committee was straightforward: had a defibrillator been on site and reachable within minutes, Justin would almost certainly still be alive.
On average, 19.2 linemen per 100,000 are killed on the job each year nationwide, roughly twice the fatality rate of police officers and firefighters. Cardiac arrest from electrical contact, exertion in heat, and underlying conditions are all part of that number. The bill is named after one man but written to protect an entire workforce.
| Requirement | What it means | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | An AED reachable within minutes, not buried in the truck | Survival falls about 10% for every minute after collapse |
| 601-volt threshold | Applies to transmission/distribution work at 601 volts or more | Captures the highest arc-flash and cardiac-risk tasks |
| Two-worker trigger | Required where two or more workers perform the work | One can use the AED while the other calls 911 |
| Covered parties | Utilities and any contractor or subcontractor on their behalf | The duty follows the work to every crew |
| Device readiness | A functioning unit with current pads and battery | An expired device is not “available” in the legal sense |
| Liability shield | Good Samaritan protection for good-faith AED use | Removes the fear of being sued for trying to help |
| Effective date | Treat early 2026 as the practical deadline | Avoid a compliance gap and a procurement bottleneck |
Line work happens outdoors, in heat, cold, dust, and remote locations far from a hospital. Choose an AED that is IP-rated for dust and water, drop-resistant, and operable in extreme temperatures, with a clear visual and audio interface. Models like the HeartSine Samaritan 350P, the Defibtech Lifeline VIEW, and the Physio-Control LIFEPAK CR2 are routinely chosen for field environments.
Pair the right device with documented monthly inspections, tracked pad and battery expiration dates, and CPR/AED training so crews act without hesitation. Remember that the cost gap between consumer-grade and field-grade AEDs is small compared to the cost of one preventable death.
The majority of crews on utility transmission and distribution projects are employed by contractors, not by the utilities themselves.
Contractors work under many utilities, so you need one consistent AED program that works regardless of which contract you are on that day.
Compliance lands on you through contract requirements, jobsite safety audits, and insurance expectations — often before formal enforcement begins.
If you answer no to any of these, your crews may not be covered:
Is there an AED in every crew vehicle assigned to 601V+ work?
Are devices ruggedized for dust, heat, and drops?
Do you log monthly inspections and pad/battery dates?
Are crews CPR/AED trained, and can you prove it in a safety audit?
AB365 is written for electrical utility worksites, but it sets a precedent that adjacent industries are already tracking: solar contractors on high-voltage systems, battery energy storage (BESS) crews, EV charging infrastructure contractors, large-scale industrial electrical contractors, and telecom and fiber teams sharing utility corridors. The shared risk profile — high-voltage exposure, remote sites, and physical exertion — means this is unlikely to be the last mandate of its kind.
Whether you run a utility, a line contractor, a tree trimming company, or a storm-response team, we supply field-grade AED kits, CPR/AED training, and a maintenance program that satisfies AB365 and utility-contract expectations.
The information provided on this website is intended for general educational and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis, treatment, or care. Always consult a qualified healthcare or medical professional regarding any health-related questions or concerns.
While we strive to ensure the information shared is accurate and up to date, no guarantees are made regarding completeness, accuracy, or applicability to any individual situation. Use of this content is at the reader’s sole discretion and risk.
This website is part of the Response Ready family of emergency preparedness and training resources, including CPR & first aid training and compliance services, AED sales and program support, AED program management software, and medical oversight solutions provided through our affiliated platforms:
• CPR1.com
• ResponseReady.com
• AEDTotalSolution.com
• MDSIMedical.com
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