What is the COR Program?

What is the COR Program?
The Certification of Recognition (COR) Program is an employer health and
safety certification program. It has been designed by the construction industry,
for the construction industry and is administered by the Northern Safety
Association (NSA). COR programs are in place in most provinces and territories
in Canada.
Involvement in the COR Program includes: a representative of the employer
participating in a five day training program, developing and implementing an
Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) Program and, depending on the size of
the company, Return-to-Work (RTW) policies and programs. The program must
be successfully verified (audited) by the employer and the NSA to achieve full
COR certification.
Is COR mandatory?
While not yet mandatory, COR is rapidly becoming the key criteria in the
legislated requirement to evaluate, select and monitor contractors.
What is a Letter of Good Standing?
A Letter of Good Standing is a document issued by the NSA under the
Certificate of Recognition (COR) Program. It can only be issued to an employer
who has completed the appropriate requirements of the program. There are
three categories: In the Process, Audit Pending, and Certificate of Recognition.
How do I get a Letter of Good Standing?
Once an employer participates in the training program (five days), a Letter of
Good Standing is issued for 12 months and the employer is considered to be “In
the Process”. Once the employer has developed and implemented their policies
and programs, and conducted an Internal Review (audit), they are issued a new
Letter of Good Standing and are considered to be “Audit Pending”. Finally, once
the NSA has conducted a Program Review (audit) and any recommendations
are addressed, the employer receives full certification and is issued a Letter of
Good Standing for 12 months (Certificate of Recognition).
Is the COR Letter of Good Standing the
same as the Commission’s Letter of Good
Standing/Certificate of Clearance?
No. The COR Letter of Good Standing is a document issued only to the
participants of the COR program. It can only be issued by the NSA and must be
signed by the CEO of the NSA and/or a designated person.
Who in my company needs to attend the
COR training?
Only one person in your company must attend the COR training. It is
recommended that it be the person responsible for the development and
implementation of the OHS Program in your workplace.
Where can I take the training?
The NSA offers COR training throughout the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
Who can deliver the training?
The NSA is the only organization in the Northwest Territories that delivers the
COR program.
How much will this all cost me?
The five day training program is $375.00. This includes all materials that the
employer will need (including samples, check lists, etc.) to easily develop and
implement an OH&S Program in their workplace. In addition, included with this
training fee is the services of the NSA Safety Advisors to assist with any OH&S
issue that may arise.
Once the program is implemented, there is a flat rate fee for the External
Review (audit). This is $500.00 per day, depending on the number of employees
(usually incurred 12 months after the classroom training) and also includes the
services of the NSA Advisor to assist in addressing and recommendations that
may arise from the External Review.
I have done a lot of safety training - will
this cover the requirements?
No, the COR Program is a specific industry established and driven program.
The program is only offered by the Construction Safety Associations established
throughout the Canada.
If I have done COR training, do I also
need to take the OH&S Certification
(Committee, Worker Representative/
Designate) training?
Since 2007, all participants of the COR training automatically receive
certification as an OH&S Committee member and/or Worker Health and
Safety Representative/Workplace Health and Safety Designate. However,
this certification would only apply to the individual who participated in the full
five day COR training program. Depending on the size and configuration of
the workplace, additional individuals may need the regular OH&S certification
training for OH&S Committees/Worker Representatives/Designates.
I was COR certified at one point, but am
no longer in Good Standing. What do I
need to do?
You will, at the very least, need to conduct an Internal Review (audit). However,
depending on when your last Letter of Good Standing expired, there may be
additional elements that you need to add to your program, including RTW
policies and programs. Contact NSA as soon as possible. A representative will
review your file and tell you exactly what needs to be in place.
I did the five days of COR training
several years ago. What else do I need
to do?
If you completed the training more than 12 months ago, your Letter of Good
Standing has expired. You will need to submit your OH&S Program and RTW
Program, if applicable) to the NSA for review. In addition, you will need to
conduct an Internal Review (audit) of your program (audit documents available
from the NSA) and submit your findings for review. Once these documents have
been reviewed by the NSA and any recommendations met, you will be issued a
new Letter of Good Standing (Audit Pending).
I am COR certified and in Good
Standing. What do I need to do?
Depending on when you completed the COR program, you will need to
review your OH&S policies to ensure they meet the requirements (previously
distributed). In addition, you will need to ensure you have an Injury Reporting
System in place at all your workplaces and work sites. This information has
been previously provided and is available on the NSA website.
Is there anyone who can help me get
everything in place?
The NSA has Safety Advisors, throughout the province, who are available to
assist members (participants in the COR Program) at little or no cost with the
development and implementation of OH&S and RTW Policies and Programs
and in meeting the COR requirements. Simply contact the NSA to learn more.
Where can I get more information?
Contact NSA at:
Phone: 867-920-0763 • Fax: 867-920-0764
Website: www.ncsa-nt.ca • Email: chris@ncsa-nt.ca
Principles of Health and Safety Management
This course is designed to provide company owners, managers, and supervisors the knowledge to develop a simple, cost-effective Health
and Safety manual.
Course Objectives:
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To teach owners, managers, and supervisors the steps to take in developing a company-specific health and safety program
To provide information to participants about the benefits of having a company health and safety program
To provide guidance to management, supervisors, and workers in their assigned responsibility and accountability for safety
To provide assistance in communicating health and safety information to affected workers
To assist employers in the health and safety implementation process
Course Content:
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Explain the purpose and benefits of a health and safety program
Explain Due Diligence
Identify the required elements in an effective health and safety program
Review the applicable legislation – Occupational Health & Safety Act, Regulation and Code
Provide information on resources and tools available to develop the manual
Provide information on how to develop, promote and implement a safe driving program
This course is directed to the construction industry, and the topics discussed provide the fundamental knowledge required for the
development and implementation of an effective health and safety program. Many construction employers have used this information as
the building blocks to develop their health and safety program.
The participant is required to successfully complete an “unassisted” written exam and attain a minimum of 80%. This course is also
available in an online e-learning format.
Note:
Participation in this course is a pre-requisite before entering the Auditor Training Program.
This course is one of the required four core courses for the standard Certificate of Recognition (COR)™ Program.
Auditor Training Program (ATP)
The Auditor Training course is offered over a three-day period. This course is designed for individuals who will be evaluating the
effectiveness of a company’s Health and Safety Program by providing training in a cost-effective method for measuring existing Health and
Safety management systems. In this course, participants will be shown how quality audits reduce risk through a systems approach that
maintains focus on the reduction and elimination of incidents.
Pre-requisite:
Completion of the Principles of Health & Safety Management (PHSM)™ course prior to registering in the Auditor Training Program is
mandatory.
This two-level program consists of a three-day course (Certificate of Completion) and Qualification Audit submission (Certified Peer Auditor
Certificate).
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION - First Level of the Program
This course is divided into five modules addressing the following:
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Introduction to the auditing process
Responsibilities of all parties involved
Chronological Steps of an Audit process
How to use the ACSA Audit Document
Workshop
This course has a very in depth workshop which all participants must demonstrate an understanding in participants must complete a written
exam component in which they must attain a minimum score of 80% for course certification (Certification of Completion).
CERTIFIED PEER AUDITOR CERTIFICATE - Second Level of the Program
In order to receive the Certified Peer Auditor Certificate, the participant must submit a qualification/self-audit (individually conducted) within
three months of course completion - the qualification/self-audit must be completed correctly and reviewed by the ACSA before an ACSA
peer auditor certificate can be issued.
A Peer Auditor Certificate will be issued upon successful completion of the certification requirements. Once certified as a Peer Auditor, the
auditor must maintain his/her certification by completing and submitting an annual internal, maintenance, or external audit.
Note:
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Qualification Self Audit Submission is required for those seeking peer auditor certification for the purposes of obtaining a company’s
Certificate of Recognition (COR).
Qualification Audit Submission is recommended, but not required for the:
Health and Safety Administrator (HSA) designation
National Construction Safety Officer (NCSO) designation
This program requires that students have the pre-requisites of having been certified with Principles of Health & Safety Management
(PHSM-1001).
This program is one of the four core courses required for the standard Certificate of Recognition (COR) Program.
This course qualifies for 1.5 BCRSP Certificate maintenance points. (CPM 10206)
Leadership for Safety Excellence
This two-level program consists of a two-day course (Certificate of Completion) and documentation submission (Certificate of Proficiency).
It is designed for management and supervisory positions. This program will enable managers and supervisors to build health and safety
into their every-day planning as well as create and promote a safe work environment where people can work safely.
Course Objectives:
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To define the role of the supervisor
To explain the responsibilities for safety on the work site for managers, supervisors and workers
To provide the supervisor knowledge on the Alberta OHS Legislation
To explain the scope and purpose of completing Hazard Assessments
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION: First level of the Program
Supervisor’s Role
Investigations
Promoting and Enforcing safety standards in the
workplace
Reasons for investigation
Know the elements of a health and safety program
When to investigate
Know manager, supervisor and worker
responsibilities
Legislative obligations
Know regulatory requirements
Steps for a successful investigation process
Understanding the affect of corporate culture
Selling recommendations (management & workers)
Inspections
Training
Definition
Reasons for training
Purpose and types of inspections
Definition
Conducting inspections
Types of Orientation
Prioritizing deficiencies (concerns)
On-the-Job Training (OJT)
Reporting and follow-up
Getting the most out of your safety meetings
Selling recommendations to management and
workers
Planning and conducting a training session
Course Content:
The participant is required to successfully complete an “unassisted” written exam and attain a minimum of 80%.
CERTIFICATE OF PROFICIENCY: Second level of the Program
In order to receive the Certificate of Proficiency and successfully complete the Leadership for Safety Excellence program, copies of the
following must be sent to the NSA:
Proof of direct involvement in a hazard assessment and corrective action report, toolbox meeting, site inspection, and site investigation
(incident or near miss).
Note:
Certificate of Completion is required for the Health & Safety Administrator program. Certificate of Proficiency is a requirement of the NSA National Construction Safety Officer (NCSO) Program.
Completion of the two-day course is required for the standard Certificate of Recognition (COR)™ Program.
Flagger Train-the-Trainer Course
This one-day course is designed for those involved in the day-to-day operations where workers and the general public are exposed to
hazards created by vehicles and/or equipment. Safety precautions must be in place for the protection of those who come into contact with
the construction zone.
Course Objective:
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To provide information on standardized Flagger procedures in the construction industry
To inform the participants about the legislated responsibilities of the employer and the flagger
To provide information and assistance in complying with the applicable legislation
Course Content:
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How to train workers who have no prior knowledge or experience in flagging
The flagger’s responsibilities for the protection of themselves, co-workers, and the general public
Identifying the correct flagging practices and procedures, equipment, and clothing
How to communicate with co-workers and the general public
The importance of the flag station and the flagger’s location
How to deal with emergency vehicles and others
Developing a training program using the “Tell, Show, and Do” method
Participants who successfully meet the course requirements (successfully completing an “unassisted” exam attaining 80% or better result)
will be issued an NSA Flagger Train-the-Trainer certificate.
Re-certification is required every three years and can be achieved by taking the one-day course again, or by successfully challenging the
online exam.
This course is a pre-requisite for the Temporary Traffic Accommodation Course.
This course can be one of the four core courses required for the standard Certificate of Recognition (COR)™ Program.
Transportation of Dangerous Goods Train-The-Trainer
This one-day course is for those individuals involved in, or responsible for handling, shipping, receiving, offering for transport and
transporting dangerous goods.
Course Objectives:
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To provide participants:
Certification to conduct training
Information relating to developing and/or maintaining a site-specific TDG Program
Course Content:
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Classifications of dangerous goods
Applicable safety markings and means of containment
Required shipping documentation
Dangerous Occurrence reporting and accidental releases
Applicable legislation elements and requirements
Exemptions
Training
Enforcement process and fines
Participants who successfully meet the course requirements (successfully completing an “unassisted” exam attaining 80% or better result)
will be issued a TDG Train-the-Trainer certificate. Certification allows the trainer to conduct in-house training, using NSA materials.
Re-certification is required every three years and can be achieved by taking the one-day course again, or by successfully challenging the
online exam.
This course qualifies for 0.5 BCRSP Certificate maintenance points. (CPM 10212)
Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System train-the-Trainer
This one-day course is designed for individuals who are responsible for providing WHMIS training and/or establishing and maintaining their
company’s WHMIS program.
Course Objectives:
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To provide the participants:
Certification to conduct generic worker WHMIS training
Information and instruction about developing site-specific programs in compliance with legislative requirements
Instruction about the use of WHMIS to protect health and safety on the work site
Course Content:
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Warning labels
Identifying warning symbols
Appropriate labeling requirements for controlled products
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
All controlled substances must have an MSDS
Interpretation
Worker Training:
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Techniques to suitably relay the meaning of WHMIS information to workers
How workers can use this information to protect their health and safety
Participants who successfully meet the course requirements (successfully completing an “unassisted” exam attaining 80% or better result)
will be issued a WHMIS Train-the-Trainer certificate. Certification allows the trainer to conduct in-house training, using NSA materials.
Re-certification is required every three years and can be achieved by taking the one-day course again, or by successfully challenging the
online exam.
This course can be one of the four core courses required for the standard Certificate of Recognition Program (COR)™.