1. Certificate of Recognition (COR™)
What it means to Workers & Employers
Enzo Garritano,
President and CEO, IHSA
February 8, 2018
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2. Certificate of Recognition- Defined
COR™ is a health and safety certification program (evidence based)
National standard supported by the Canadian Federation of Construction Safety Association (CFCSA)
Aimed at driving positive workplace behaviours and consistent practices which lead to improved performance
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3. IHSA and our Role in COR™
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4. Who is IHSA?
Infrastructure Health and Safety Association (IHSA) established in 2010 as a result of a merger of three founding Associations:
Electrical & Utilities Safety Association (1915)
Construction Safety Association of Ontario (1929)
Transportation Health and Safety Assocation (1942)
IHSA is one of four designated health and safety association under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA s. 22.5)
IHSA is partially funded by the Ministry of Labour through the Prevention Office. Funding stems from WSIB to MOL for prevention purposes.
IHSA is governed by both Labour and Management representatives from the sectors served.
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5. IHSA’s Role in COR™
IHSA is the only approved provider (registrar) of COR™ in Ontario
IHSA administers the COR™ cycle, publishes participant progress, updates
Set ISO as the standard for Lead Auditor training (40 hours)
Competent IHSA Auditors conduct workplace audits
COR™ Participant Guidelines
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6. Growing participation
Currently, more than 1,200 Ontario workplaces are actively pursuing COR™ Certification
230 Ontario workplaces have achieved COR™ certification
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7. What Does the Research Say?
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8. Research Findings
2015: Chris McLeod, assistant professor with the University of British Columbia, which conducted the study workplaces participating in COR™ for 10 years;
12% reduction (year over year) in lost time injuries and fatalities
17% reduction in serious injuries
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9. Alberta Evaluation Findings
Alberta Human Services (equivalent to MoL) reported in 2012 that COR™ firm participation compared to non-COR firms;
COR™ firms have fewer work stoppages by 31.6%
COR™ firms have 32% lower fatality rate
COR™ firms have 10% lower lost time rate
COR™ firms make up 50% of Alberta payroll
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10. What Does COR™ Mean to Workers?
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11. Worker Perspective:
Workplaces which work towards COR™ certification are demonstrating a commitment to the safety of their employees
The expectations of a COR™ workplace is that their employees are working safe
Employees of a COR™ certified workplace are empowered during their job and site specific orientation
Workers report that they would rather be employed for a COR™ certified firm
Auditors report that during Worker interviews;
Never hear of a lack of PPE
Workers report that safety is part of production
Higher level of worker involvement (hazard assessment process)
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12. What Does COR™ Mean to Employers?
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13. Employer Perspective:
COR™ certified firms are very proud of their achievement (gain confidence from the 3rd party audit)
As a great deal of the COR™ audit is compliance based, they now have confidence that they are meeting many of their regulatory compliance requirements
COR™ provides them with the means to actually measure safety
Prior to COR™, the focus of most companies was to meet regulatory compliance yet they did not have a gauge
The requirement to maintain COR™ helps to keep their program current and up to date
The management review element helps to elevate safety to senior management
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14. Small Business Employers:
COR™ in Ontario has the same requirements for every participant regardless of size
Small Business want to be compliant but lack the “Road Map” to get them there
COR™ Certified firms must demonstrate legal compliance to achieve COR™
Registering for COR™ opens the gateway to assistance & resources to develop an effective management system
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15. Buyers of Construction:
Gain the ability to demonstrate due diligence
Gain confidence that bidding companies have demonstrated, through a 3rd party audit, that they are managing their health and safety programs and are not just saying that they have a program (submitting a binder)
Possess a greater confidence that safety will be properly managed on their project
Elevates social and fiscal responsibility (especially with public funds)
Minimize their liabilities
Positive public perception
Improved bidding process
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16. Workplace-Internal Auditor:
Receives a high level of support from senior management to make improvements and maintain their OH&S program
Likes the audit report as it is evidence of gaps and need for support
Sometimes their issues are with the implementation of the program (competing company priorities)
Many are overwhelmed in the beginning
Go through different learning curves as they learn what they need to do to be successful in the audit
The audit process makes front line supervisors more accountable
Now have a direct line to senior management
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17. Your H&S Management System and
COR™
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18. The Road Map
Road map to developing a recognized health and safety management system (Safety Plan)
Proven process to maintain performance and achieve ongoing regulatory compliance
Elimination of hurdles to pre-qualify on projects in other Canadian jurisdictions
COR™ workplaces must provide OH&S training and communication to all employees to demonstrate that a system exists
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19. Organizations Requiring COR™
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20. Damage Prevention Symposium 2018

21. Next Steps…..
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22. Employers Find out more at www.ihsa.ca and see the COR™ pages
Consider registering for COR™ and start to compare your current H & S management system to COR
Get help if you need it. Don’t get discouraged.
Companies struggle without seeking help
IHSA runs day-long programs that run employers through the 19 elements
IHSA and others in industry are available to assist with consultations
Speak to peers in your sector who achieved COR™ for advice
Work toward the elements in a systematic way (just like doing a job)
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24. Buyers of Service Find out more at www.ihsa.ca and see the COR™ pages
Contact IHSA directly to speak to a representative to gain further insight or knowledge on how to implement
Reach out to list of current Buyers requiring COR™ in bid their tendering process for their experience
If considering adding COR™ to bid requirements:
Consider phasing in the requirement over a number of years based on value of project (start with highest value first migrating to lower value over time)
Consider becoming COR™ certified yourselves as industry leaders
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25. COR™ Contact Information