What is COR Certification?
COR™2020 Certificate of Recognition
The Certificate of Recognition (COR™) is a national accreditation standard intended to demonstrate an employers successful implementation of a recognized occupational health and safety management system. The COR™ program aims to promote and recognize excellence in workplace health and safety management within the construction industry and related sectors. The program is known for its rigorous evaluation process and commitment to continuous improvement in workplace safety.
COR™ was officially launched in Ontario by the IHSA (Infrastructure Health and Safety Association) in 2012 and was made available to employers to apply. In January of 2020, the COR™ program was revised to coincide with the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development’s (MLTSD, formerly The Ministry of Labour) new Occupational Health and Safety Management System Accreditation Standard. The IHSA is the ‘Authority having Jurisdiction’ to grant COR™ in the province of Ontario. In achieving this national safety program accreditation in Ontario, IHSA is responsible to ensure that the COR™ standards are upheld.
The COR™ program requires that each employer have internal audits conducted on an annual basis, as well as an external audit that is conducted by a member of the IHSA every third year. To ensure the internal audits were performed correctly, there is a requirement for the designated internal auditor to complete training sessions hosted by the IHSA.
What are COR™ compliance standards?
Some common elements across all provinces for COR™ compliance standards include:
- Written Health and Safety Policy
- Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment
- Ongoing Health and Safety Training
- Incident Reporting and Investigation
- Safety Inspections and Audits
- Emergency Preparedness
- Return-to-Work Programs
- Joint Health and Safety Committees
Why should owners want COR™ certified contractors working on their projects?
Benefits of COR™ certified contractors can include:
- It can take years to independently develop and implement a health and safety program capable of achieving CORTM Certification. Only a committed contractor truly striving for excellence would go through the process.
- By achieving CORTM, employers are able to demonstrate to buyers of construction that their health and safety management system has been developed, implemented, and evaluated on an annual basis through comprehensive internal and external audits.
- Audits will typically include interviews, documentation review, and observation techniques to evaluate how well the employer is able to identify, assess, and control risks to workers ensuring safer work sites.
- The audit criteria used by CORTM are recognized by industries throughout Canada.
- Protecting the health and safety of all workers at all times is the right thing to do. Effective development and maintenance of a health and safety management system is a proactive approach to eliminating workplace injuries and illnesses.
- A firm’s corporate image will be enhanced within the industry and community. Commitment to a strong culture of safety will attract safety-conscious workers.
- Buyers of construction can be assured that a CORTM certified contractor will bring superior safety practices to the workplace.
