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A SUPPLEMENT TO THE FREE PRESS
the highest degree of safety at your workplace.” The benefits to being COR® certified include: • Holding your safety culture to the highest standards • Maintaining industry leadership • Reduction in incident rates in the workplace • Lower WCB premiums • Advantage to more work as COR® companies qualify ahead of uncertified companies for certain jobs Not only does COR® stand tall to MHCA, it also stands tall to company safety leaders. Mike Burtnick, Safety Manager for Maple Leaf Construction Ltd., sees two major benefits of COR® certification. “First off, it makes for a more level playing field as far as safety requirements on projects,” Burtnick says. “Large contractors that require COR® to submit bids for their project level the playing field because all contractors use the same certification. “Secondly, COR® sets standards, guidelines and requirements that are easy to follow to develop your safety program.” Don Hurst, Director of MHCA’s WORKSAFELY® education and training, says the program provides companies with the assurance they are meeting the industry-accepted, minimum approach to maintaining and promoting safety in their workplaces. Being COR® certified means your company takes care of workers by meeting legislation requirements and promoting a safe workplace. It also means you have access to many valuable resources, like training. “The COR® program fosters a positive safety culture where workers feel valued and have the confidence to perform their jobs, knowing they have the training, knowledge and skills to keep themselves safe,” says Hildebrand. COR® certification is valid for three years, with an external audit conducted. To remain certified, a company must conduct an annual internal audit and submit to WORKSAFELY®. Burtnick describes audits as “a great way to measure your safety program.” Shwaluk says companies have access to their regional advisors for any questions or concerns. “We work with the company as a team and help them succeed, while giving them the tools they need.”
Jessie Smith is MHCA WORKSAFELY Education Programs Coordinator
T he heavy construction industry has a suite of safety and health training courses and certifications, but one that stands above them all is the Certificate of Recognition®. COR® is an occupational safety and heath accreditation program that verifies a fully implemented safety and health management system which meets national standards. “When a company chooses to be COR® certified, it demonstrates an invested commitment and recognized importance for the safety and health of its employees by the ownership of a company,” says Chrissy Hildebrand, safety and health representative at Horizons Earthworks. COR®’s main goal is to provide industry employers with effective tools to develop, implement, assess and promote continual improvement of their safety and health program, in turn, preventing or mitigating incidents and injuries, along with their associated human and financial costs. The COR® program isn’t just about protecting one company, it’s about protecting everyone. “The COR® program helps to make sure nothing is overlooked when it comes to protecting your workers, subcontractors or the public who may be affected by your work,” says Hildebrand. “Safety excellence should not be the exception in our industry but the standard we all strive for.” Trevor Shwaluk, Safety Advisor at WORKSAFELY®, describes COR® as “a stamp of approval that you are doing everything reasonably practical to ensure
Chrissy Hildebrand, safety and health representative, Horizons Earthworks
As a member of Holcim Group, we are decarbonizing building for a net-zero future, from our operations to our products all the way to buildings in use.
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