COR Audit in Alberta

COR Audit in Alberta

COR Audit

The Certificate of Recognition (COR) is granted to employers who have effectively established and executed a health and safety program in alignment with provincial benchmarks. These benchmarks are set by the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) legislation.

The COR certificate verifies that the employer’s health and safety management system has undergone assessment by an accredited auditor (COR audit) and has fulfilled the criteria of the provincial benchmarks. The Alberta Government issues these certificates, jointly endorsed by a Certifying Partner, such as the Alberta Association for Safety Partnerships (AASP).

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What is COR?

The Certificate of Recognition program is optional and administered by the Government of Alberta. All members and associate members of the AASP, ranging from owners/operators to large corporations, may qualify for COR.

To be eligible for a Certificate of Recognition, your Occupational Health & Safety Management System must initially be subjected to an external audit.

What is a Health and Safety Management System?

A health and safety management system is a preventative strategy aimed at reducing the likelihood of injuries or illnesses among employees. This includes the identification, evaluation, and management of hazards to employees in all workplace activities. The extent and intricacy of a health and safety management system depend on the workplace's characteristics and the operations performed.

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Financial Gains

Employers with a COR can generate a real revenue stream on their investment in health and safety.

Achieving and maintaining a COR is required for earning a financial incentive through the Worker's Compensation Boards (WCB) or Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB) incentive programs.

The incentive is based on multiple factors but has the potential to:

  • Provide rebates back to the employer
  • Reduce WCB/WSIB claims
  • Reduce both direct and indirect costs to the employer due to a WCB/WSIB claim
  • Improve productivity and morale in employees

COR Auditing in Alberta: Important Information

Your COR audit will undergo evaluation by your Certifying Partner and must adhere to specific quality assurance criteria before approval. For COR eligibility, your audit must secure at least an 80 percent overall score, with no less than 50 percent in each element of the audit.

A COR generally remains valid for three years, assuming the requirements for annual COR maintenance audits are satisfied. To keep your COR certification active and qualify for Partnerships in Injury Reduction (PIR) refunds, you'll need to conduct an annual COR maintenance audit. This maintenance audit can be carried out by certified peer auditor(s) within your organization, or you may hire the services of a certified consultant auditor, and it must result in a score of 60% or higher.

The Benefits of COR

  • Annual Health and Safety Verification. Obtaining a COR enables employers to show construction clients that their health and safety management system is rigorously developed, put into action, and assessed yearly through detailed internal and external audits.
  • Comprehensive Audit Process. The COR audit process involves interviews, document reviews, and observational methods to ascertain the employer's proficiency in spotting, evaluating, and managing workplace hazards.
  • National Recognition. Recognized across Canadian industries, the audit standards of COR integrate your business into a national collective dedicated to the advancement of health and safety excellence.
  • Asset of Active Safety Management. COR serves as a valuable credential when the need arises to prove the operation of an active health and safety management system.
  • Competitive Edge for Job Qualification. Registration in the COR program could position companies at an advantage for specific opportunities, as construction clients may require COR certification from bidding contractors to ensure a robust health and safety track record.
  • Proof of Safety Responsibility. Ensuring the health and safety of workers is a base responsibility. A proactive stance in the development and upkeep of a health and safety management system is key to preventing workplace injuries and diseases.
  • Enhancing Corporate Image. A company's reputation in both the industry and the broader community benefits from a strong commitment to safety, making it more appealing to workers who prioritize safety.
  • Proof of Safety Management. Demonstrating the presence of an efficient health and safety management system provides your business with a competitive edge, reassuring clients of your commitment to leading safety standards in the workplace.

What are the COR Audit Stages in Alberta?

Obtaining COR is a process that typically spans 2-3 years and involves a structured audit cycle, as outlined by a Certifying Partner, such as the AASP. This cycle consists of several key phases:

Year 1

In the initial year, employers must gather a full year's worth of documentation demonstrating compliance with all COR standards. This stage includes conducting an external audit by a certified auditor. If the audit meets the specific criteria, the Certifying Partner will notify WCB/Partnerships who will issue a COR certificate.

Years 2-3

Over the second and third years, the organization must carry out maintenance audits to uphold its COR status. This process involves interviews, documentation review, and observations tours, and is accompanied by a detailed report that is submitted to the Certifying Partner for review.

Year 4

Upon completing the third year, the initial COR certification cycle concludes. Employers wanting to retain their certification must embark on the cycle anew, ensuring continuous adherence to COR standards and practices.

What Do the COR Auditing Elements Include?

  • Health and Safety Policy and Responsibility
  • Hazard Evaluation — Structured and On-Site Assessments
  • Hazard Controls
  • Joint health and safety committees (HSC) or Health and Safety Representatives (HSR)
  • Skills and Competency
  • Consideration of Other Entities Present or Near the Worksite
  • Preventative maintenance
  • Inspections of the Worksite
  • Probing and Analysis of Incidents
  • Readiness for Emergency Situations
  • First Aid Resources
  • Senior Management Leadership
  • System Administration

We offer the essential training for developing and sustaining a robust health and safety management system. Discover more here.

How Peden Safety Consulting can help?

Looking for COR auditing in Calgary, Red Deer, Edmonton, or other cities in Alberta? Established in 2010, Peden Safety Consulting specializes in health and safety programs. We can build and manage your health and safety management system to ensure you will achieve COR certification to have your business stand out from your competitors and meet compliance. We conduct COR audits in multiple provinces and understand what it takes to achieve COR certification.

Frequently Asked Questions about COR Audit

Our Certifying Partners

Peden Safety Consulting has a diverse background and can offer COR auditing from multiple certifying partners.

  • Alberta Association for Safety Partnerships (AASP)
  • Energy Safety Canada (ESC)
  • Alberta Municipal Health and Safety Association (AMHSA)
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  • Infrastructure Health & Safety Association (IHSA)
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  • Northern Safety Association
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GAP Analysis

Our GAP analysis tool quickly and effectively determines how close your company is to COR certification. It also develops a plan to correct deficiencies, ensuring you’ll be compliant and pass your COR audits.

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