COR and SECOR certifications demonstrate a company's commitment to a real safety management system. Here is what they are and the steps to achieve them.
A strong commitment to workplace safety is essential for the well-being of employees, and it is a requirement for staying compliant with industry expectations. Two safety certifications stand out: the Certificate of Recognition (COR) and the Small Employer Certificate of Recognition (SECOR). Both demonstrate that a company maintains a comprehensive safety management system, and both are widely recognized across Canada.
What are COR and SECOR?
COR and SECOR are occupational health and safety certifications that show a company's safety program meets an established standard. They are often required for contracts, especially in construction, oil and gas, and transportation. COR is designed for larger businesses and SECOR is tailored for smaller employers - the exact employee threshold is set provincially. Both involve a thorough audit to confirm the safety program meets the standard.
How to achieve COR and SECOR
- Develop a comprehensive safety program. The company needs a well-structured program covering policies, procedures, hazard assessments, employee training, and emergency response plans.
- Implement the program. The program has to be effectively in use in the workplace, with clear communication and participation from all levels of the organization.
- Undergo an audit. Both COR and SECOR require an audit by a certified auditor - a review of the documentation, interviews with employees, and an assessment of the workplace.
- Maintain the certification. After achieving COR or SECOR, the company keeps it through ongoing internal audits, an external audit on the required cycle, and continuous improvement of the program.
How On-Track Safety helps
On-Track Safety helps businesses of all sizes achieve COR and SECOR. Certified safety professionals conduct consultant audits that evaluate a program's documentation, implementation, and effectiveness. The team develops comprehensive safety programs tailored to a business - custom manuals, hazard assessments, safe work procedures, and emergency response planning - and supports the documentation needed to pass the audit. Ongoing support, including internal audit assistance and program updates, helps a company maintain the certification once it is earned.
On-Track Safety guides businesses through COR and SECOR certification from program development to the audit. Get in touch to start the process.