There is an AED device present in your company.
Did you know that you are obliged to register this device and report it to the federal public service?
K.B 21/4/2007: the registration of an AED is mandatory for every AED that is permanently made available in a public place.
Permanent = in a long-term and sustainable manner (art.1, 5° KB 21/04/2007). This does not necessarily mean 24/7 availability.
Public place = is an environment where non-professional first responders, potential AED users, have access, any place, including shops, schools, company buildings and grounds, stations, airports, cinemas and sports fields, where people gather and events can be organized (art.1,6° KB 21/04/2007). A public place is therefore seen very broadly by the legislator. In principle, it could be argued that registration for a non-professional user is not mandatory if it concerns private use in a private home or private vehicle.
You can find the registration form at the link below:
defibrilateur_nl_2.pdf (belgium.be)
Automatic External Defibrillators (AED) | FPS Public Health (belgium.be)
You must then forward this document to: FPS Public Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, Martine d'Heer, DGGS, Victor Hortaplein 40/10, 1060 Brussels.E-mail: AED-DEA@health.fgov.be
Does an AED device need to be constantly connected to the mains to guarantee operation during an intervention?
No, the new types of AED devices are all equipped with a battery (accumulator) that maintains its voltage for a number of years and is ready for use. Most models also indicate (usually via beeping sounds or sometimes spoken voice) that the battery is nearing the end of its lifespan. Normally, at the first warning tones, the AED is still usable for at least 1 intervention (without getting too technical about the voltage to be generated & energy to be administered).
If you still own an older device, it is best to check the expiry date of the electrode pads and the battery. These checks must be procedurally established & take place regularly, in light of the legislation on work equipment (codex).
