Certificate of Recognition (COR)

Understanding the Certificate of Recognition (COR) in Occupational Health and Safety

What is a Certificate of Recognition (COR)?

The Certificate of Recognition (COR) is an occupational health and safety accreditation program that confirms the comprehensive implementation of a safety and health management system within an organization. This program adheres to national standards and is acknowledged across multiple provinces and territories in Canada. The COR program is typically managed by regional safety associations and is supported by the Canadian Federation of Construction Safety Associations (CFCSA).

Key Components of the COR Program

1. Safety and Health Management System: The core of the COR program is a comprehensive safety and health management system that includes policies, procedures, and practices aimed at preventing workplace injuries and illnesses[2].

2. Certification Audit: To achieve COR certification, organizations must undergo a rigorous audit process that evaluates their safety and health management system against established standards[2].

3. Continual Improvement: The COR program emphasizes the importance of continual improvement in occupational health and safety practices, encouraging organizations to regularly review and enhance their safety protocols[2].

Benefits of Having a COR Program

1. Enhanced Workplace Safety: Organizations with COR certification demonstrate a strong commitment to maintaining a safe and healthy work environment. This not only reduces the likelihood of workplace accidents and injuries but also fosters a culture of safety among employees[2][3].

2. Financial Incentives: Many provinces offer financial incentives, such as rebates on workers' compensation premiums, to organizations that achieve and maintain COR certification[3]. This can result in significant cost savings for businesses.

3. Competitive Advantage: Having a COR certification can give organizations a competitive edge when bidding for contracts, especially in industries where safety is a critical concern. Clients and partners are more likely to trust and collaborate with companies that prioritize occupational health and safety[2][3].

4. Regulatory Compliance: The COR program helps organizations stay compliant with occupational health and safety regulations, reducing the risk of legal issues and penalties[2].

5. Improved Employee Morale and Retention: A strong safety culture can lead to higher employee morale and job satisfaction. Workers are more likely to stay with an organization that values their well-being, leading to lower turnover rates[3].

6. Reputation and Credibility: Achieving COR certification enhances an organization's reputation and credibility within its industry. It signals to stakeholders, including employees, clients, and the public, that the organization is committed to maintaining high safety standards[2][3].

Implementing a Certificate of Recognition (COR) program is a strategic decision that can yield numerous benefits for organizations. From enhancing workplace safety and achieving financial savings to gaining a competitive advantage and improving employee morale, the COR program is a valuable tool for fostering a safe and healthy work environment. By committing to the principles of the COR program, organizations can not only protect their workforce but also position themselves as leaders in occupational health and safety.

Atlantic Safety Works develops comprehensive COR (Certificate of Recognition) compliant programs tailored to meet the specific needs of organizations. Our expertise ensures that these programs not only meet regulatory requirements but are also practical and effective in real-world applications. We offer continuous support throughout the implementation process, providing guidance and resources to ensure that the program is executed successfully and maintains its effectiveness over time. With our commitment to safety and compliance, Atlantic Safety Works is your partner in fostering a safe and productive work environment.

How important is trust in creating a positive safety culture?

Trust plays a pivotal role in creating a safe workplace culture. Here are 3 reasons why trust is an important element for Supervisors and Managers to consider.

Fostering open and collaborative environment.

• When trust-based relationships exist between leaders and team members, safety concerns are more likely to be raised and addressed.

• Trust fosters a collaborative and caring environment where people work together to prevent harm and promote health for everyone.
  

Building Credibility and Reliability:

• Credibility: Trust is built on credibility. Credible leaders know what they are talking about and also recognize when they don’t. They seek input from team members who have firsthand knowledge of risks and hazards.

• Reliability: Trust is reinforced through follow-through. Leaders who address safety concerns promptly and communicate actions taken build trust. Keeping the team informed about safety measures is crucial.

Positive Safety Culture:

• Trust ensures that health and safety feedback is willingly provided by team members.

• It reinforces positive behaviors and redirects unsafe ones.

• Trust makes team members feel supported, valued, and protected within the workplace.

Trust is the bedrock upon which lasting human relationships are built on, and coincidently, safe workplace culture is built on the very same foundation. When leaders build trust, they create an environment where safety thrives and everyone’s well-being is important.

Here are some effective strategies for building trust:

Be Real:

When managers show authenticity, employees perceive them as human and relatable. Create an environment where sharing of vulnerabilities and weaknesses is ok. This encourages open communication and trust.

Ask, Don’t Tell:

• Instead of giving orders, ask open-ended questions. Encourage employees to find their own solutions. Trust that answers lie within the team, not just with you.

Follow Through:

• Keep your promises. Do what you say you’ll do. Consistently delivering on commitments builds trust.

Be an Objective Observer:

• Provide constructive feedback without judgment. Help employees grow by objectively assessing their performance.

Give Permission to explore, create, even, fail:

• Create an environment where employees are encouraged to openly communicate ideas, explore options, where mistakes are seen as learning opportunities. When employees feel safe to express, explore, even if they fail, trust grows.

Assign Stretch Tasks:

• Challenge employees with tasks that push their limits. Show confidence in their abilities.

Listen and Care:

• Actively listen to employees’ concerns. Show empathy and address their needs. Caring builds trust.

Be Transparent:

• Be transparent about decisions, challenges, and goals. Involve employees in the process.

Remember, trust is built over time through consistent actions and genuine interactions. When supervisors and managers create an environment where trust is valued, employees feel seen, heard, understood and are motivated to contribute their best.

Have you calculated your company's Safety ROI?

Investing in workplace health and safety isn’t just about compliance; it’s a strategic move that pays dividends in both human and financial benefits.

Here are 6 ways that having a robust health and safety program can save companies money.

To calculate ROI, consider the following steps:

1. Calculate Injury Costs: Understand how much injuries cost your organization. This knowledge is essential for evaluating the impact of health and safety.

2. Identify Financial Benefits (Net Gains): Look for the financial benefits resulting from your health and safety program. These may include reduced medical expenses, improved productivity, and lower turnover rates.

3. Calculate ROI: Compare the costs of your health and safety initiatives to the financial benefits. The formula for ROI is straightforward: ROI % = ((Net Gains-Cost of Investments)/Cost of Investments)) x 100 Here's an example. Your company's safety stats show that every year, like clock work, 12 employees miss an average of 21 work days each due to strains and muscle fatigue. You decide to implement a few health and safety programs focusing on strain and fatigue prevention, with ergonomics controls such as job rotation, calisthenics program, wellness programs, and provided hazard identification incentives and you saw a steady decline from 12 to 1 employee and the 1 employee only missed 2 days of work. Your cost of injury (wcb rates: # of claims, cost of claims) have gone down and you calculate the net gains (reduced injury costs, savings in hiring cost, onboarding and turnover) to be $150.000.00. All the programs you've implemented costs a total of $60,000.00. ROI = ((150,000 - 60, 000)/60,000)) x 100 = 150% This means that the $60,000.00 you spent generated $90,000.00 in returns. Every dollar you spent in the health and safety program made a net gain of $1.50.
   

Something else to consider....

Not all factors that are as a result of a good healthy and safe workplace are quantifiable. Intangible factors such as improved brand reputation, attractiveness to investors and improved employee morale are worth mentioning. These don't make it into the ROI calculations, yet are valuable benefits that companies should consider as a longer term outlook when measuring the success of a comprehensive health and safety program.