A Certificate Of Recognition (COR) shows that the employer’s health and safety management system has been evaluated by a certified auditor and meets provincial standards. These standards are established by Occupational Health and Safety (OHS).
To get a COR, your business must first have a health and safety management system in place, and then have it successfully audited through a Certifying Partner. If your business passes the audit, the Certifying Partner will jointly issue a COR with the Government of Alberta.
It does take some work to set up and maintain a COR H&S program, so you may be wondering what’s the point in gaining or maintaining your COR status? Is it worth it?
We felt it useful to look at the pros and cons of maintaining COR to see what this means to our clients.:
Benefits of COR:
Up to 20% reduction in WCB Premiums - Employers with good safety performance and return-to-work programs earn lower premium rates. Reduce your premiums through programs such as PIR and COR that create safer workplaces, encourage injury prevention, and help get injured workers back on the job quickly and safely.
More comprehensive compliance with OHS legislation - A COR-certified health and safety program will be fully compliant with OHS legislation. You will be better prepared for any OHS visits, and have all documentation in place.
Better Prepared for Investigations – Incidents happen, even with the best safety program in place, being COR certified, can save time during investigations, and potentially reduce any penalties as a result of incidents.
Save Money – compliant H&S programs ensure premiums are reduced, non-complying penalties are minimized and time lost due to preventable incidents is minimized.
Save Time – reduce time lost due to incidents, investigations, stop-work orders, and time taken to assist with external OHS investigations.
Build a positive corporate image - A high concern for safe operations and the health and safety of employees is a positive message that is carried into the community, not only by employees but also by suppliers and customers.
Protecting the well-being of your workers - participating in COR will support you in keeping your staff healthy and safe.
Competent and Trained Staff – Orientations, Safe Job Procedures, Safe Work Practices all make it easier for supervisors and workers to carry out their work efficiently and safely.
Attract and retain a skilled workforce - Many COR-certified companies are using their COR certification to recruit strong candidates. Studies have shown that potential employees, especially the younger generation, place great value on healthy and safe workplaces.
Maintain a Strong Safety Culture - Increase staff participation and ownership of workplace health and safety.
Peace of mind - Comply with legal requirements set by the OHS Regulation and the Workers Compensation Act.
Cons:
There are costs associated with an external audit required every third year, and external audit training for staff, are really the only downside. But the majority of the program administration needs to be completed anyway to comply with OHS, WCB, and Labour Laws.
Conclusion
It might feel like a benefit to not have to comply with COR and audit requirements, but for most employers, some type of safety programs is required.
All employers with 20 or more workers must have a health and safety program that is developed in consultation with the worksite health and safety committee or representative if there is one.
Employers with fewer than 20 workers, must meet the requirements established by the OHS legislation. This includes assessment and control of workplace hazards and an emergency response plan. The employer must consult with the health and safety representative, if there is one, and involve affected workers.
If you maintain your COR status, with regular inspection and audits, you will have the confidence that your health and safety program is fully compliant and have peace of mind you are protecting your workers.