FAQS

The purpose of a COR®/SECOR® audit is to assess the effectiveness of a company’s implemented safety and health management system. The audit measures system performance against established standards and provides a foundation for future management strategies focused on continuous improvement. It identifies areas of strength and weakness within the safety program, helping employers to prevent or mitigate workplace hazards.

COR®/SECOR® audits can be conducted by internal auditors (company employees with specific training and a valid auditor number) or external auditors endorsed by MHCA WorkSafely. To meet the COR®/SECOR® standards, both internal and external audits must achieve a minimum overall score of 80% and a minimum of 50% in each element of the safety and health program. The audit must also maintain established quality assurance standards.

Generally speaking, dedicated companies can earn COR^®/SECOR^® in six to twelve months, not taking longer than eighteen months from registration date.

The time needed to acquire COR^®/SECOR^® certification depends on the organization and dedication of the company. If an employer has a comprehensive safety and health management system in place, the time required to arrange for and complete an audit, then have it reviewed by WorkSafely for issuance of a COR^®/SECOR^® certificate, could be relatively short. However, if the employer is starting from the first steps involved in developing their safety and health program, the amount of time required to complete the process and implement the safety and health program elements will be significantly longer.

While there are specified mandatory courses required for COR^®/SECOR^® certification, keep in mind that Manitoba legislation requires that companies must ensure all their staff have completed the necessary training to effectively and safely perform their duties. Depending on the type of environment or the work involved, training may include courses over and above the specified COR^®/SECOR^® courses, such as Traffic Control Coordinator, Flagperson, TDG, or WHMIS.

A COR®/SECOR® audit evaluates various elements of a company’s safety and health program, including: Safety and Health Policy, Hazard Assessment, Analysis and Control, Safe Work Practices, Safe Work Procedures, Company Safety Rules, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), Preventative Maintenance Program, Training and Communication, Inspections, Investigations and Reporting, Emergency Preparedness, Statistics, Records and Document Control, Legislation, Procurement and Contractor Management, and a Manitoba Supplement specific to provincial requirements.

Auditors use three primary techniques to gather information: Documentation review (examining written policies, procedures, records, etc.), Observation (observing work activities and conditions), and Interviews (asking questions of management, supervisors, workers, and safety representatives). All three techniques must be verified when completing the audit to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of the safety management system.

If an audit does not meet the minimum standards, it is classified as either a Type 1 or Type 2 below standard audit. A Type 1 audit has a score below 80% overall or below 50% in two or more elements, requiring an action plan and a repeat audit of the entire health and safety program within 90 days. A Type 2 audit has a score of 80% or lower overall and below 50% in one element, requiring an action plan and a limited scope audit of the below-standard element within 90 days. In either case, the company must contact MHCA WorkSafely.

COR^®/SECOR^® certified employers must submit an action plan to the WorkSafely team along with their audit document following any external/internal audit. This action plan is the responsibility of the company to produce, not the auditor. An action plan must address:

Targeted implementation schedules
Identified COR^®/SECOR^® program deficiencies (per element)
Prioritization of concerns
Details on proposed corrective actions that assign responsibilities, including a description of short-term and long-term strategic plans
Any other requirements as determined by the WorkSafely Director
Targeted implementation schedules

While not a scored component that directly determines certification, a safety culture assessment is included in the COR®/SECOR® program. This assessment uses a percentage scale to evaluate how effectively safety culture objectives are met within the organization, looking at aspects like valuing ongoing safety improvement, considering safety in decision-making, employee involvement, and the authority of those responsible for safety. The results help companies track their safety culture and identify areas for improvement.

MHCA WorkSafely reviews the COR®/SECOR® audit results and issues the certification. WorkSafely is identified as the Authority Having Jurisdiction to grant COR® in Manitoba. After an audit is completed, WorkSafely reviews it for the issuance of the COR®/SECOR® certificate and letter of good standing. All submitted audits are also subject to a quality assurance process by MHCA WorkSafely.

The COR^®/SECOR^® is valid for three years from the date of issue, providing that all maintenance requirements are met. The date the audit is completed is used as the COR^®/SECOR^®issue date. To maintain COR^®/SECOR^®, an employer is required to carry out an internal audit within 12 months of the issue date of the COR^®/SECOR^®. Internal audits are subject to the same quality assurance review as external audits. An external audit is required by the third COR^®/SECOR^®anniversary date to renew the COR^®/SECOR^®.

Onus is on the company to maintain their COR^®/SECOR^® status. Should a company break the cycle by allowing their COR^®/SECOR^® to lapse, they must repeat the Year One process to re-instate their audit cycle.

The COR^® Quality Assurance Program and Reference Book is a comprehensive document outlining WorkSafely policies and acceptable conduct in regards to acquiring, maintaining, auditing, and defaulting from the COR^® program. This ‘rule book’ is a useful resource, providing answers to questions COR^®/SECOR^® companies might have and acts as a general guideline for the WorkSafely team to follow.

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