What is COR®, what is SECOR® and what is the difference between them?
The Certificate of Recognition (COR®) program is an occupational health and safety program designation verifying that a company has a fully-implemented health and safety program that meets national standards. It is nationally trademarked and is endorsed by participating members of the Canadian Federation of Construction Safety Associations, including the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA). COR is the national standard in safety recognition and is now frequently required as a pre-qualification and/or condition of contract by public and private buyers of construction across Canada.
The Small Employer Certificate of Recognition (SECOR®) program is a process whereby a company with (9) or less employees (including sub-contractors) develops and maintains an effective health and safety management system.
What is the ultimate goal of the program?
To provide companies, small and large, with the knowledge and tools to develop effective health and safety management systems to identify weaknesses that can lead to costly workplace injuries and incidents.
What are the main benefits of being certified?
- Injury prevention and cost savings: COR® and SECOR® certified companies can experience reduced financial costs associated with injuries and incidents. A good safety record will enhance an organization’s reputation in the industry.
- Pre-bid qualification: COR® and SECOR® certification is a pre-bid qualification requirement for many buyers of construction in Saskatchewan.
- Due diligence: the documentation and general safety awareness produced by the COR® and SECOR® process may also provide evidence of due diligence if a company is charged with a OHS offence. Through the process of training, program development, and implementation, companies build a more effective organization.
Why should a buyer of construction services look for a company with COR® or SECOR® certification?
- Companies that are carefully methodical in their management of safety are more likely to be carefully methodical about other aspects of their business management – marketing, financial management, operations, human resources, communications, ethical awareness, environmental, risk management and quality.
- Safety and methodical safety management can be a powerful asset to a company – a contributor to its performance and a proxy of good management. Many of Saskatchewan’s leading businesses have made significant advances in safety as a principal risk-mitigation tool to control avoidable losses in regard to production (down-time), environmental impact, human (injuries and fatalities), financial, and company reputation.
- Firms can face hefty fines, criminal charges, and jail time for failing to fulfill their legislative obligation to ensure the safety of their workers
The SCSA is an industry-funded, membership-based, non-profit organization that provides cost-effective, accessible safety training and advice to employers and employees in the construction industry throughout the province to reduce the human and financial losses associated with injuries. Registered March 20, 1995 the SCSA is, and has been since inception, committed to injury prevention. Serving almost 10,000-member companies, with business offices in both Regina and Saskatoon, the mission of the SCSA is constructing safety leadership in Saskatchewan and the vision is to create the safest construction environment in Canada. For more information visit, www.scsaonline.ca
