The Small Employer Certificate of Recognition (SECOR) is designed for companies with 10 or fewer employees.
Like COR, it recognizes employers who have implemented an effective health and safety management system, verified through an audit.
Steps to get a SECOR
Register with your provincial Workers' Compensation Board
- Alberta - Account Registration
- British Columbia - WorkSafe BC Certificate of Recognition Program
- Saskatchewan - Saskatchewan Workers Compensation Board
- Manitoba - Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba
Confirm certifying partner
Complete training
Develop and implement a Health and Safety Management System
Log in to My Account to register your audit
Complete and submit an audit
Pay SECOR fees
Achieve your SECOR
Maintaining a SECOR
Once you've achieved a Small Employer Certificate of Recognition (SECOR), an employer must maintain the status of their SECOR during the second and third calendar years of their certification cycle by conducting annual maintenance audits or approved maintenance options.
Maintaining SECOR certification
Failure to complete maintenance requirements will result in the loss of your SECOR
Stay compliant with provincial safety standards
Continuously improve workplace safety performance
Remain eligible for financial incentives tied to SECOR certification
Determine when your audit is due
Your annual date is the month shown on your SECOR certificate. Use that month each year as your submission deadline.
Maintenance Options
SECOR holders may be eligible to complete a SECOR Action Plan in lieu of a full maintenance audit.
Find out more about Action Plans
Maintenance Requirement
To maintain Assessor status, you must complete one Energy Safety Canada–certified refresher course every three years before registering or submitting an audit. (note: training providers may offer courses with similar names, but do not meet the refresher requirements). Refresher courses are available in classroom or virtual formats and include:
- Hazard Management
- Incident and Accident Investigation
- Leadership for Safe Workplaces
- Understanding Our Canadian Model (email certificate to [email protected])
- Health and Safety Committees and Representatives
In addition, a SECOR maintenance audit is required in the second and third calendar years of the certification cycle. Supporting documentation must reflect health and safety activities from the past 12 months (e.g., safety meeting minutes, inspections). All audits are completed through the SECOR Online Tool.
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.
Member Fees
| Audit Type | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| SECOR (1 - 10 employees) | $150 |
| Action Plan | $150 |
Non-Member Fees
| Audit Type | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| SECOR (1 - 10 employees) | $600 |
| Action Plan | $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
Timelines for Auditor/Assessor Activities
The table below outlines the required timing for specific activities
| Audit Type | Data Gathering | Audit Report Writing & Submission | Audit Corrections |
|---|---|---|---|
| SECOR Audit (completed by an ESC Auditor) | 15 days | 21 days from day on site | 15 days from request for revisions |
| SECOR Audit (completed by an Assessor) | 36 days | 36 days | 15 days from request for revisions |
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
| Application | Must be submitted prior to January 31 of the calendar year |
| Proposal | Must be submitted by March 31 of the calendar |
| Amendments | If required, must be submitted by October 31 of the calendar year |
| Deliverables | Must 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)