What COR and SECOR certification are, how they differ, and the practical steps a Canadian business takes to achieve them.
Understanding and achieving the Certificate of Recognition (COR) or the Small Employer Certificate of Recognition (SECOR) is increasingly important for Canadian companies. These certifications signal compliance with occupational health and safety standards, and they open doors to new business through preferential treatment in bidding.
What are COR and SECOR?
A COR or SECOR demonstrates that a company's health and safety management system meets the provincial standards set by OHS, as evaluated by a certified auditor. The main difference between the two is company size: SECOR generally applies to businesses with fewer than 11 employees, including management, while COR applies to larger employers.
The path to certification
Step 1: Choose a certifying partner
Each province has authorized certifying partners that administer the COR program. In Alberta alone there are more than a dozen. Selecting the right partner matters, and it should align with your company's industry and specific needs.
Step 2: Implement a health and safety management system
After selecting a certifying partner, develop a health and safety management system tailored to the auditing requirements. This involves building a manual that meets your certifying partner's audit document. A customized safety manual is the usual starting point.
Step 3: Undergo an audit
With a system in place and at least three months of documentation behind it, the next step is the audit. For SECOR, smaller companies complete a self-assessment, while larger companies arrange an external audit through their certifying partner.
Provincial COR partnerships
COR is administered province by province, so the certifying partners and the exact thresholds differ across Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and the rest of the country. For detailed information, review the official provincial websites or contact a certifying partner directly.
Using COR and SECOR for business growth
Securing a COR or SECOR certification can have a real impact on a business - from improving safety practices and reducing incidents to gaining an edge in competitive bidding. Many companies find that certification is what gets them onto a contractor list they could not access before.
On-Track Safety guides Canadian businesses through every step of COR and SECOR certification, from choosing a certifying partner to building a compliant management system and preparing for the audit. Get in touch to start the process.