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As a Certifying Partner, Energy Safety Canada helps Canadian energy companies achieve their Certificate of Recognition (COR). A nationally recognized standard for workplace health and safety.

To qualify for a COR, employers must demonstrate that they have implemented and maintained an effective health and safety management system, verified through a formal audit process.

Steps to get a COR

Register with your provincial Workers’ Compensation Board

Audit Options: ISO Certification

Employers certified to the ISO 45001:2018 or CSA Z45001:19 occupational health and safety (OHS) standards may apply to Energy Safety Canada for a Certificate of Recognition (COR) equivalency.

To qualify, the ISO or CSA certification must be issued by a designated certification body (e.g., British Standards Institution, AQC Canada Inc.) recognized by ISO or CSA. COR equivalency applies both for new certification and for maintenance.

Note: 

COR Certification Requirements

Energy Safety Canada will review and approve applications by verifying:

  • A valid ISO or CSA certificate
  • Certificate issued by a designated certification body
  • Audit scope (industry codes and provinces covered)
  • Auditor(s) name

COR Maintenance Requirements

Energy Safety Canada will review and approve applications by verifying:

  • Employer was previously approved for COR equivalency in the year the certificate was issued
  • A valid surveillance ISO or CSA audit
  • Audit scope (industry codes and provinces covered)
  • Auditor(s) name

Audit Processing Timeline

Step 1

Week 1

  • Audit is received.
  • Initial quality assurance checks are performed.
  • Audit is logged into the system. 

Auditing Fees

Before starting, determine if your company is an Energy Safety Canada Member.

  • Members: Industry Codes/Classification Units listed on the Determine Member Status page are considered members.
  • Non-Members: If your Industry Code/Classification Unit is not listed, you are considered a non-member. Non-members are welcome to participate, but membership cannot be purchased or applied for.

View Industry Codes

Member Fees

Audit TypeAnnual Fee
COR (11+ employees)$250
Action Plan$250
COR Equivalency (ISO/CSA)$150

Non-Member Fees

Audit TypeAnnual Fee
COR (11+ employees)$1,200
Action Plan$1,200
COR Equivalency (ISO/CSA)$600

Important Notes

  • Energy Safety Canada reserves the right to change fees without notice
  • No refunds or credits will be issued
  • Fees are based on the calendar year and will not carry forward if an audit is not completed
  • Annual fees include one Quality Assurance (QA) review per company
  • Employers must also pay audit service fees, which are negotiated directly with an independent Energy Safety Canada certified auditor

 

The table below outlines the required timing for COR Audit:

Audit TypeData GatheringAudit Report Writing & SubmissionAudit Corrections
COR Audit45 days21 days from last day on site15 days from request for revisions
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Maintaining a Certificate of Recognition  

Maintaining your Certificate of Recognition (COR) ensures your certification remains valid and your company continues to meet provincial safety standards. Energy Safety Canada offers both standard maintenance audits and alternative options to support continuous improvement in workplace health and safety.

Maintaining your COR helps your company:

  • Stay compliant with provincial safety standards
  • Continuously improve workplace safety performance
  • Remain eligible for financial incentives tied to COR certification 
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Maintenance requirements

  • Cycle: CORs are issued on a three-year cycle.
  • Maintenance Years: In years 2 and 3, companies must complete a maintenance audit or approved maintenance option.
  • Passing Score: A minimum 60% overall score is required to maintain your COR.

Who can perform maintenance audits

  • A maintenance audit must evaluate all company operations and can be performed by:
    • An external auditor
    • An internal-certified auditor (employed by the company)  
    • A student auditor who is completing both a student and maintenance audit 

Maintenance options  

In lieu of a standard maintenance audit, companies may use one of the following approved options:

  • Action Plan Program – In lieu of a maintenance audit, eligible employers may apply to complete an Action Plan, focusing resources on measurable improvements to their health and safety program.  
  • ISO/CSA Equivalency – Employers certified to ISO or CSA occupational health and safety standards may apply for COR equivalency in place of a maintenance audit. 

Action Plans

Employers may request ESC approval to use an Action Plan instead of conducting a maintenance audit to maintain their COR or SECOR, provided the company meets eligibility criteria. Action Plans focus on measurable improvements to the employer’s occupational health and safety (OHS) management system.

Note: WorkSafeBC is not currently participating in the Action Plan Program.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Must have a current, regular COR or SECOR (1-year CORs/SECORs are not eligible).
  • Must be in a maintenance year and have completed a full three-year COR audit cycle.
  • First Action Plan must score 80% or higher to qualify for a second consecutive Action Plan
  • SECOR employers must have a COR Contact with the two-day Safety Program Development course or current SECOR refresher training

Important Deadlines

ApplicationMust be submitted prior to January 31 of the calendar year
ProposalMust be submitted by March 31 of the calendar
AmendmentsIf required, must be submitted by October 31 of the calendar year
DeliverablesMust be submitted before November 30 of the calendar year

How it Works

Step 1: Register your Action Plan - Action Plan Registration Instructions

Step 2: Develop your Proposal - Action Plan Audit Proposal and Delivery see (Pages 1-15)

Step 3: Complete your Delivery - Action Plan Audit Proposal and Delivery see (Pages 15-22)