COR® is a voluntary employer certification program intended to motivate employers to take a proactive role in occupational health and safety. COR® certification is issued by WorkSafeBC to an employer who has successfully implemented an effective OHSMS and has passed a certification audit.
The National Construction Safety Officer (NCSO®) and National Health & Safety Administrator (NHSA™) designations offer proof of competency in construction safety at a nationally-recognized level. This program delivers practical training in a range of construction safety management skills and principles.
The BCCSA's Traffic Control Person (TCP) Program is British Columbia's most established training program for traffic control. We train numerous TCPs across the province. Our program offers courses for both individuals new to traffic control and those seeking renewal.
Individuals who hold the Certified Concrete Pump Operator Certification (CCPO) have demonstrated their theoretical understanding of concrete pump operations, and have proven their ability to effectively apply this knowledge while working in the field.
The government of British Columbia has introduced new asbestos worker certification regulations to enhance safety. These rules stipulate that those conducting asbestos abatement work in BC must be trained and certified, while employers are obligated to secure licenses.
The Fire & Flood Restoration Program (FFRP) is an initiative aimed at enhancing safety within the restoration industry. Through this program, we offer a range of safety training modules and valuable resources tailored to the needs of professionals in the restoration field.
The Technical High Angle Rope Rescue Program (THARRP) prepares fire department personnel in technical rope rescue techniques, specifically for rescuing workers in distress at elevated heights, such as tower crane operators.
HMA covers 11 different hazardous materials and outlines the hazards associated with each material, as well as the negative health effects they can cause. HMA also covers recommended practices relating to the removal, control, and disposal of hazardous material. The materials covered are commonly found in restoration work, including lead, mould, chemicals, and more. HMA is also available at no cost to anyone employed in the fire and flood restoration industry.
Our Minds at Work for Construction training is divided into two parts: Part 1 is designed to increase mental health awareness, its workplace impact, and challenges stereotypes. Part 2 equips supervisors and foremen with tools and strategies to manage mental health issues within their teams.
By completing our Asbestos Control Training courses, individuals can attain Level 1 and Level 2 WorkSafeBC asbestos certifications, demonstrating their competence in asbestos-related work and ensuring a safer work environment.
Our PHSM eLearning course is designed to provide clear guidance and practical instruction for creating a concise and effective Health & Safety manual. This manual not only ensures compliance with regulations but also prioritizes the well-being of your workers.
SiteReadyBC is the first comprehensive construction site safety orientation program created specifically for British Columbia. It equips workers with essential knowledge to comprehend safety regulations on any construction site in the province and empowers them to work confidently.
Our DEV eLearning course serves as a comprehensive guide on the safe utilization of dust extractor vacuums for managing exposure to respirable crystalline silica in construction settings.
Our Webinar Series is designed to offer in-depth insights, expert guidance, and practical solutions on a broad range of OHS topics. We delve into the critical aspects of maintaining a safe and secure workplace.
The Silica Control Tool® assists employers in performing thorough risk assessments and implementing effective controls and safe work practices in situations where silica dust poses a potential occupational hazard.
Every employer in B.C. needs to prepare a written first aid assessment for each of their workplaces. This app is designed to help construction employers to determine the first aid equipment, supplies, and facilities required at each of your workplaces.
Discover our library of occupational health & safety resources, including documents, materials, files, and links. Our resources are designed to support you in promoting workplace health & safety and mitigating occupational hazards effectively.
BCCSA Regional Safety Advisors (RSAs) serve the entire province of British Columbia and provide free, hands-on assistance to BCCSA members of all sizes.
Our experienced RSAs can assist with various OHS inquiries, such as WorkSafeBC regulations, safety program development, materials preparation, and readiness for COR® certification.
RE-MIND is dedicated to enhancing BC construction workers' access to mental health information and support services. RE-MIND encompasses the content available on the RE-MIND website, as well as The Lone Hunter video and Toolbox Talk resources.
Assess and strengthen your organization’s safety culture with the Safety Climate Tool survey—a quick, anonymous, 10-15 minute survey designed to capture how safety is truly perceived across all levels of your workforce. With customizable questions and easy online or paper-based access, this tool offers actionable insights to help foster a safer, more proactive working environment.
Responses to the most frequently asked questions we receive. If you have any additional questions or require further clarification, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We're here to help and ensure you have all the information you need.
List of terms and definitions related to construction occupational health & safety (OHS). This glossary serves as a reference to terminology commonly used in the field.
BCCSA's Regional Safety Advisors (RSAs) offer free, hands-on assistance to all BCCSA members across British Columbia. Our knowledgeable RSAs can help with a range of OHS topics, including WorkSafeBC regulations, safety program development, preparing materials, and readiness for COR® certification.
RSA Hotline
To connect with an RSA for general safety advice and consultation:
Make a strong public statement about your company's commitment to
protecting the well being of workers and maintaining a culture of safety.
Employers who achieve and maintain COR® may be eligible to
receive 10% in annual incentive payments from WorkSafeBC.
Over time, with reduced injuries and lower claim costs, a COR®
company's experience-rated WorkSafeBC premiums will reflect additional
savings.
Many general contractors require subcontractors to have a recognized safety
program in place as a prequalification to bid on projects. COR®
meets that requirement.
Why has it been worth it for you/your company to be COR®
Certified? Has it helped your company win jobs?
Yes, definitely worth it. There was an initial cost
to have me off-site to take the courses and to get the company safety process in line,
but the refund is greater than the startup cost. Once you set up, everyone benefits. Not
sure it helps to win jobs, but definitely there's more talk about it.
Paul Olson, Assistant Manager, Sure Span Ready Mix
We achieved Large COR® OH&S and IM/RTW in May 2013. This
wouldn't have been without the help of the people at the BCCSA. Since starting this
process we've seen a better safety culture. Even the in-house estimators who were
skeptical, believing safety costs you money, have come around as they see reductions in
costs and operational improvements as a result of the improved worker engagement.
Steve Stew, Partner/Safety Chair, B&B Contracting
We found COR® gave us the guidelines to enhance the quality of our
existing health and safety program. For us, the COR® certification process was
insightful; it brought our whole program together and made it useful for not only the
employee but for the employer as well. Working with the BCCSA has been nothing but a
positive experience! The staff let you know they are there to help and always just a phone
call away. Angela Verleur, Office Administrator/Safety Coordinator,
Key Largo Electric
Would you recommend COR® to other companies?
Yes. When became involved with the Certificate of
Recognition program wasn't aware of the benefits of a well-managed health and
safety program. Now am sold. Every employer could benefit by being involved.
Bill Downs, President, Downs Construction
COR® helped us to take that safety plan one step further. It provided
us with an audit tool and framework so that we can more effectively measure how we stack
up. The result is that the process is now more streamlined, and we have also experienced
financial benefits including rebates on our WorkSafeBC assessments. Derek
Emery, E.H. Emery Electric Ltd.
Description
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
continuous 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). COR® is delivered through member associations that have a formal Memorandum of
Understanding to serve as the Authority Having Jurisdiction to recognize COR® in their respective
province/territory.
The COR® Program is a is a voluntary employer
certification program intended to motivate employers to take a proactive role in occupational
health and safety. COR® certification is issued by WorkSafeBC to an employer who has
successfully implemented an effective occupational health and safety management system
(“OHSMS”) and has passed a certification audit. The program is delivered through Certifying Partners. BCCSA is the COR® Certifying Partner for
employers in the BC construction industry.
As a Certifying Partner, the BCCSA helps with:
Registering employers into the COR® program
Providing information, training opportunities, and other resources to assist employers in
qualifying for COR®
Developing industry-appropriate audit requirements based on WorkSafeBC standards
Providing suitable audit tools and help employers in finding certified auditors
Maintaining confidentiality and quality assurance of employer records and audits
Eligibility
Companies in the construction sector, as well as select aggregate and
ready-mix Classification Units (CU), are
automatically eligible to participate in BCCSA’s COR® program. These include:
Construction, all CUs 721xxx, 722xxx, 723xxx
Primary Resources (Aggregate Producers), CU 704008
Manufacturing (Ready-Mix Concrete), CU 712033
NOTE: Companies outside of the
construction industry interested in pursuing a BCCSA COR® may submit a
COR® application for review. Participation will be subject to approval by
WorkSafeBC on a case-by-case basis.
BCCSA COR® Program Offerings
Two COR® programs are offered by the BCCSA, each having different program
requirements:
Small COR®: for companies with 19 or fewer employees
Large COR®: for companies with 20 or more employees
See The COR Process for details on how to obtain, maintain, and
re-certify Small or Large COR®.
Get Started!
Apply now by completing and submitting the application form:
To learn more about the COR® Program, please review the COR® FAQs or Contact Us
We have a dedicated team ready to make your COR® experience as easy as possible. We also
provide free consultation via our Regional Safety Advisors
(RSAs), who are COR® experts. They're available to provide on-site support and
practical assistance, ensuring a smooth process for you.
To transfer or cancel a registration, you must send a written confirmation to training@bccsa.ca
If written notification is not received within the stated time frame, the full course fee will be charged.
In Person: Contact the training department 7 full days in advance to cancel an in-person course.
VILT (Zoom): Contact the training department 14 full days in advance to cancel a VILT course
The BCCSA and its venue partners reserve the right to cancel any courses due to insufficient enrollment or other causes. In this case, you will be notified by the BCCSA through phone call or email at least 5
business days prior to the course.
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