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COR vs SECOR. Which one do you need?

Answer four questions about your province, worker count, and contractor requirements. The tool applies the actual eligibility rules and gives you a straight answer — the same conversation we have with new clients several times a week.

How many full-time equivalent workers does your company have?

Do your prime contractors or operator clients specifically require COR?

Does your work involve high-hazard operations (oil and gas, mining, heavy construction)?

SECOR

SECOR is the right certification for your operation.

Your operation qualifies for SECOR in Alberta. SECOR follows the same core structure as COR but is scoped appropriately for small employers. It is recognised by most operators and prime contractors in Western Canada as equivalent to COR for pre-qualification purposes.

Contact On-Track Safety to book your SECOR audit. We work with AASP as the certifying partner and guide you through the documentation requirements from start to finish.

Get a quoteWho needs SECOR in Alberta?

What the decision actually comes down to.

COR and SECOR audit the same thing — a documented safety management system against a certifying partner protocol. The difference is scope. SECOR is designed for small employers and the audit is sized accordingly. COR is for larger operations and carries a proportionally larger scope.

For most small employers, SECOR is the right call. It is faster to complete, less expensive, and recognised by the same operators and prime contractors who accept COR. Where SECOR is not the right call is when a prime specifically names COR in their pre-qualification requirements, or when the work involves high-hazard operations where COR carries more weight.

Province matters because SECOR eligibility thresholds vary. Alberta allows up to 10 full-time equivalent workers. BC allows up to 19. Saskatchewan is 9. Manitoba varies by certifying partner. Ontario uses a different program entirely through WSIB.

COR vs SECOR explainedWho needs SECOR in Alberta?

Common questions about COR vs SECOR.

What is the difference between COR and SECOR?
COR is the full certification program for employers of any size. SECOR is designed for small employers with fewer than 10 full-time equivalent workers in Alberta (thresholds vary by province). Both audit a documented safety management system against a certifying partner protocol. Both are recognised by major operators and prime contractors in Western Canada.
Can a small employer get COR instead of SECOR?
Yes. SECOR eligibility is based on worker count, but choosing SECOR is optional for eligible employers. Some small employers in high-hazard industries choose COR because prime contractors specifically require it. On-Track Safety can help you determine which certification gives you the better position for the work you are bidding.
Does Ontario use COR or SECOR?
Ontario uses the WSIB Health and Safety Excellence Program (HSEp) rather than the COR/SECOR framework. The structure is similar but the certifying body is WSIB and the protocol differs from Western Canadian COR standards.
How long does a SECOR audit take compared to COR?
A SECOR audit is typically completed in one on-site day. A COR audit typically takes 2-7 on-site days depending on worker count and operational complexity. Preparation time for SECOR is usually 2-4 weeks versus 4-14 weeks for COR.

Established 2008

Auditors and consultants across Western Canada.

Years in Canadian safety consulting
17+
Canadian operators served
350+
Provinces of audit coverage
4
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