This post digs into California’s AB 365, the Justin Kropp Safety Act. The law requires AEDs at public utility worksites with high-voltage lines and spells out how crews from San Rafael to Sausalito—and everywhere in between—need to prep for cardiac emergencies.
We’ll look at what the law actually asks for, what Marin County employers should do to follow it, and why local labor groups are pretty enthusiastic about this practical safety upgrade for utility projects from Mill Valley to Novato.
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Understanding AB 365 and the Justin Kropp Safety Act
California’s AB 365 says public utilities and their contractors need to have automated external defibrillators (AEDs) at high-voltage worksites. It also requires strong emergency response procedures.
This act is named for Justin Kropp, a lineworker who tragically lost his life in 2018 in the Mojave Desert. The law kicked in on January 1 and covers transmission and distribution work on lines of 601 volts or more—the exact kind of projects Marin County crews tackle from San Rafael to Corte Madera and beyond.
In Marin, this means crews working on key corridors—whether they’re upgrading substations near Larkspur or handling maintenance on lines feeding the Sausalito/Marin City area—have to carry AEDs. They also need to follow clear emergency steps if a cardiac event happens.
The main idea? Get life-saving help faster and make sure EMS gets involved right away if someone uses an AED.
Key Provisions of AB 365
- AEDs on worksites must be present at public utility job sites with transmission or distribution lines of 601 volts or more.
- AEDs must be maintained and regularly tested in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications.
- Readiness checks must occur after every use and at least once every 30 days.
- EMS activation must happen as soon as possible when an AED is used on site.
- Reporting of AED use is required to the local EMS agency.
- Employers must create a written emergency plan detailing procedures that may include AED use and immediate EMS notification.
What Employers Must Do on Marin Worksites
- Assign a responsible person to oversee AED readiness and maintenance on each Marin worksite—from San Rafael’s urban corridors to the hillside projects around Fairfax.
- Position AEDs for quick access in clearly marked, readily accessible locations on job sites in Mill Valley, Tiburon, and throughout the county.
- Maintain devices by checking batteries and pads per manufacturer specs, replacing as needed, and recording each check.
- Provide training for supervisors and crew members on AED use and basic emergency procedures to ensure effective, calm responses if a cardiac event occurs.
- Implement the emergency plan with explicit steps for EMS notification, site egress if needed, and post-event reporting to authorities.
Impact on Marin Communities
Marin County keeps upgrading its energy infrastructure—from the San Rafael grid to coastal service corridors near Sausalito and the Highway 101 routes through Novato and Corte Madera. AB 365 brings a real safety boost for field crews and local residents.
When crews have AEDs on hand, they can assess emergencies faster and get EMS involved sooner. In those critical moments, especially in remote or traffic-heavy Marin work zones, that speed can honestly make all the difference.
Labor groups have thrown their support behind the law, calling it a straightforward, evidence-backed protection. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Locals 47 and 1245, for instance, praised AB 365 as a meaningful step toward keeping workers safer on high-voltage projects—from the Mt. Tamalpais foothills near Fairfax to the industrial spots of San Rafael and the ferry routes serving Sausalito.
Looking Ahead in Marin
If you live in Marin—Ross, San Anselmo, Tiburon, or anywhere nearby—the Justin Kropp Safety Act means more than just another regulation. It shows a real push for practical workplace safety, not just on paper.
Utilities, contractors, and labor groups are now working together on AED deployment and maintenance. They’re also figuring out EMS partnerships, which gives our local safety culture a solid framework for dealing with cardiac emergencies at energy projects throughout the county.
Keep an eye out for Marin-specific training dates and AED placement news. There’ll be more updates soon on how public utilities are rolling out AB 365 in places like San Rafael, Novato, and the rest of Marin.
Here is the source article for this story: New California law requires electrical utility worksites to have AEDs
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