COR Audits

Workplace Safety Certificate of Recognition

SDS has completed hundreds of successful external audits for satisfied clients.

This resulted in the awarding of Certificates of Recognition (COR) for meeting established standards for  Health and Safety Management Systems.

Achieving and maintaining COR has significant benefits for employers:

  • Reduced injuries in the workplace

  • Financial incentives through WCB

  • More opportunities to bid on projects

  • Increased financial bottom line as proven in studies

To achieve a COR, the employer’s Health and Safety Management System must be reviewed through a certification audit. Once certification is achieved, maintenance audits must be performed every year and re-certification audits every three years. Audits are conducted by certified auditors using approved audit instruments that cover the basic elements of Health and Safety Management. To achieve a passing mark, the overall audit score must be 80% or greater and no less than 50% in any one element.

A COR is issued jointly by Partnerships in Injury Reduction (PIR) and by a certifying partner. SDS has certified external auditors for the following certifying partners:

  • Energy Safety Canada (ESC)

  • Alberta Association for Safety Partnerships (AASP)

  • Alberta Construction Safety Association (ACSA)

  • Alberta Safety Council (ASC)

  •  Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA)

  • Alberta Municipal Health and Safety Association (AMHSA)

A COR is valid for three years providing that all maintenance requirements are met. To maintain a COR, an employer is required to have a maintenance audit conducted within the first year after the COR was issued and again within the second year. 

Since 1991, SDS has provided health and safety auditing services in western Canada. SDS Consulting has a wealth of onsite auditing experience. This experience has taught SDS that Health and Safety Management System auditing must be about identifying and recognizing opportunities of improvement and the achievement of both the company and employees.