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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