ABOUT the COR® Program

WHAT IS COR®?

COR® is an occupational safety and health accreditation program that verifies a fully implemented safety and health management system which meets national standards. The objectives of COR® are to provide industry employers with effective tools to develop, implement, assess, and promote continual improvement of their safety and health management system to prevent or mitigate incidents and injuries as well as their associated human and financial costs.

COR® is nationally registered, trademarked and endorsed by the Canadian Federation of Construction Safety Associations (CFCSA) and is delivered through member associations that have a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to serve as the Authority Having Jurisdiction to grant COR® in their respective province/territory. WorkSafely serves as the Authority Having Jurisdiction to grant COR® in Manitoba.

WHAT IS SECOR®?

The Small Employer Certificate of Recognition Program (SECOR®) is a provincially recognized workplace health and safety certification program for companies in construction and related industries.

SECOR® is modelled after the nationally trademarked COR® Program and provides industry employers who employ less than 10 people with the tools to build and maintain an effective safety and health management system and to reduce incidents and injuries, and their associated human and financial costs.

Small employers often use SECOR® as a stepping-stone to achieving COR®.

Like the COR® Program, SECOR® requires specific training and follows an expiry and audit schedule for certification and renewal.

The program is also endorsed by:

SAFE Work Manitoba
Manitoba Labour
Workplace Safety and Health (WSH)
Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba (WCB)

HOW TO OBTAIN COR®/SECOR® CERTIFICATION

Earn a Prevention Rebate with COR®

COR ® COMPANIES

NEW HARMONIZED COR®/SECOR® AUDIT TOOL

COR® RECIPROCITY

HOW TO OBTAIN COR®/SECOR® CERTIFICATION

As a Authority and having jurisdiction to grant COR® certification in the province of Manitoba for the heavy construction industry, WorkSafely practices the utmost diligence to ensure that the COR® standards are upheld. Caution should be taken if any other organization suggests that it is able to provide COR® training, COR® audits or COR® certification.

Don’t put yourself at risk. Ask to see a current “Letter of Good Standing” or a COR® Certificate.

COR® CERTIFICATION PROCESS

EARN A PREVENTION REBATE WITH COR® and SECOR®

Employers who achieve COR® or SECOR® Certification are eligible to receive a 15% rebate on their Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba (WCB) assessment premium.

Small employers can receive a rebate of up to $3,000, capped at 50% of their assessment premium, under the Prevention Rebate Program.

This program is managed by SAFE Work Manitoba, the preventative branch of WCB, as part of their SAFE Work Certified initiative. WorkSafely is an accredited certifying partner in this program.

COR® and SECOR® Certification aligns with the provincial standards set by the SAFE Work Certified Program.

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Quality Assurance Program for Safety and Health Audits

The Quality Assurance Program for Safety and Health Audits outlines the requirements, policies, and processes for achieving and maintaining COR® and SECOR® Certification through WorkSafely.

It explains employer and auditor responsibilities, audit requirements, quality assurance standards, certification timelines, and the processes for ensuring audits are conducted fairly, consistently, and in accordance with the national COR® standard. Whether you’re working toward certification or maintaining your COR®, this document is the primary resource for understanding how the program operates.

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COR ® COMPANIES

These companies have been verified by (and certified through) WorkSafely as meeting all elements of the COR® program.

MHCA applauds, as well, all of its members who have achieved the nationally recognized COR® through any member of the Canadian Federation of Construction Safety Associations (CFCSA).

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NEW HARMONIZED COR®/SECOR® AUDIT TOOL

The CFCSA has endorsed a new Harmonized National Audit Tool. Used across Canadian jurisdictions, this tool ensures consistent verification of a company’s health and safety program, with 14 core COR® elements nationwide. Any province-specific requirements are addressed in a supplemental section.

VIEW AUDIT TOOL

SUBMIT YOUR AUDIT

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COR® RECIPROCITY

A company that has COR® certification issued by a member of the Canadian Federation of Construction Safety Associations in another province or territory, but does not have a permanent office in Manitoba, can apply for reciprocity.

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COR®/SECOR® REQUIRED COURSES

The following courses are required for COR®/SECOR® certification. One management representative and one worker must complete the training.

For companies under 10 people only a minimum of one person needs to be trained in the four COR® courses. SECOR® required only one person.

2 days – includes lunch

Cost: $150 – WCB Rate Code 407/408 or MHCA Members

This action-packed 2-day course is a must for supervisors aiming for COR® certification. Learn your legal responsibilities and how to lead a safe, healthy workplace. This course covers everything from due diligence and hazard control to inspections, investigations, and building a culture of safety. Get the knowledge and skills to meet Manitoba’s safety standards and take charge of your workplace safety. Don’t miss out—secure your certification and lead confidently!

1 day – includes lunch

Cost: $125 – WCB Rate Code 407/408 or MHCA Members

This targeted training program is designed for senior leadership and safety and health committee representatives. It focuses on the key principles behind effective workplace safety and health management systems. Essential for those aiming for COR® certification, this course covers legal requirements, safety program development, and certification essentials. Participants will gain critical insights into leadership commitment, hazard control, worker participation, and continuous improvement, ensuring compliance with Manitoba’s safety standards. Equip your organization with the tools to foster a safe and healthy workplace and achieve COR® certification.

2 days – includes lunch

Cost: $150 – WCB Rate Code 407/408 or MHCA Members

This high-impact 2-day course is essential for anyone performing internal audits and aiming for COR® certification. Learn everything you need to conduct thorough audits—planning, document reviews, interviews, and reporting. You’ll get hands-on experience with a mock audit, applying audit tools and techniques to assess your workplace’s safety and health systems. Master the audit process and gain the skills to help your organization meet certification standards. Get ready to lead with confidence and make a real impact on your workplace safety!

Participants who wish to become Registered Internal Auditors (RIA) will be required to complete an assignment, which must be submitted within one week of completing the course.

* COR® Principles of Health & Safety Management is a prerequisite

1 day – includes lunch

Cost: $125 – WCB Rate Code 407/408 or MHCA Members

This hands-on one-day course teaches participants how to identify hazards, assess risks, and implement effective controls in heavy construction. Learners will also develop practical safe work procedures to protect crews while maintaining productivity. Interactive exercises and real-world examples help participants apply hazard recognition and risk management skills on site.

Who Should Attend:
Employers, supervisors, safety coordinators, workers, and committee members responsible for hazard identification, risk assessment, and safe work procedures.

What You Will Learn:

Keep crews safe while maintaining site productivity
Identify site-specific hazards and assess risks
Apply effective risk controls
Develop and communicate clear safe work procedures

To view our training schedule and to register for training, please visit our online training portal.

GO TO TRAINING PORTAL

FAQS

To achieve COR®, your company must have at least two full-time employees (one management representative and one worker representative) complete the required training:

• COR® Principles of Safety Management
• COR® Safety Auditor
• COR® Leadership for Safety Excellence
• COR® Hazard Identification and Risk Control

Companies with fewer than 10 employees require one full-time employee to complete the required training.

SECOR® companies must complete the same four required training courses. The most senior leader or owner must complete the COR® Principles of Safety Management course. At least one full-time employee must maintain the required training.

COR® follows a four-year audit cycle:

• Year 1: External Certification Audit
• Years 2 & 3: Annual Internal Verification Audits
• Year 4: External Re-Certification Audit

Employers are responsible for ensuring audits are completed on time to maintain their COR® status.

Internal audits are due on the first day of the month in which they are due.

If you require additional time, you must submit an Audit Extension Request before the due date. Requests received after the deadline cannot be accepted.

Late submissions are subject to a $200 administrative fee, and failure to submit by the final deadline may result in de-certification and loss of eligibility for the WCB Prevention Rebate Program.

Yes. Extension requests must be submitted before your audit due date using the Audit Extension Request Form. Extensions are granted only for extenuating circumstances and are limited to one extension per three-year audit cycle.

To successfully complete a COR® or SECOR® audit, an employer must achieve:
• A minimum overall score of 80%.
• At least 50% in every audit element.

A Corrective Action Plan identifies the actions your company will take to address deficiencies identified during an audit. It must be submitted within 14 calendar days of submitting your audit and include identified deficiencies, corrective actions, assigned responsibilities, and implementation timelines. The Corrective Action Plan is the responsibility of the employer—not the auditor.

Yes. Audit reports, supporting documentation, and audit reviews are kept confidential by WorkSafely and are only released where legally required or for quality assurance purposes related to the WCB Prevention Rebate Program.

Internal audits must be completed by a WorkSafely Registered Internal Auditor who holds a current Internal Auditor registration number. Employers must maintain at least one permanent full-time employee with a valid Internal Auditor certification, even if they hire a consultant to assist with auditing.

To maintain an active Internal Auditor registration, auditors must participate as a lead or team auditor on at least one internal audit every three years, complete mandatory refresher training every three years, and submit audits within the required timelines.

If an audit does not achieve the required score, WorkSafely will determine whether a full re-audit or limited scope audit is required. Employers must complete corrective actions and any required follow-up audits before certification can be granted or renewed.

Yes. Because COR® is a national standard, WorkSafely can assist Manitoba employers with obtaining COR® Reciprocity or COR® Equivalency when working in other jurisdictions. Likewise, companies certified in another province may apply for Manitoba Reciprocity or Equivalency through WorkSafely.

WorkSafely has a formal complaints process for concerns relating to auditor conduct, conflicts of interest, misrepresentation, or the audit process. Complaints should be submitted in writing within 30 days and will be reviewed through WorkSafely’s Quality Assurance Program.

The Quality Assurance Program for Safety and Health Audits outlines the requirements, policies, and processes for achieving and maintaining COR® and SECOR® Certification through WorkSafely. It explains employer and auditor responsibilities, audit requirements, quality assurance standards, certification timelines, and the processes for ensuring audits are conducted fairly, consistently, and in accordance with the national COR® standard. Whether you’re working toward certification or maintaining your COR®, this document is the primary resource for understanding how the program operates.

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UPCOMING TRAINING SESSIONS

Register for upcoming safety training sessions tailored to the heavy construction industry. Keep your team skilled, compliant, and prepared for every job site.

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THE NCSO & NHSA DESIGNATIONS

Become a recognized leader in construction safety with the NCSO and NHSA designations. These programs equips you with the knowledge to support safety compliance and best practices in construction.

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HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?

If you work in heavy construction and have questions or concerns, fill out this form and we will contact you.

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ABOUT the COR® Program

WHAT IS COR®?

WHAT IS SECOR®?

HOW TO OBTAIN COR®/SECOR® CERTIFICATION

EARN A PREVENTION REBATE WITH COR® and SECOR®

Quality Assurance Program for Safety and Health Audits

COR ® COMPANIES

NEW HARMONIZED COR®/SECOR® AUDIT TOOL

COR® RECIPROCITY

COR®/SECOR® REQUIRED COURSES

FAQS

UPCOMING TRAINING SESSIONS

THE NCSO & NHSA DESIGNATIONS

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?