COR Program

Alberta Forest Products Association (AFPA) is a key stakeholder in the Certificate of Recognition (COR) program. A COR is awarded to employers who develop health and safety programs that meet established, provincial standards.

As a Certifying Partner for the forest industry in Alberta, the AFPA acts as a resource for its members and contractors, providing health and safety training, certifying auditors, conducting quality assurance reviews and providing ongoing guidance and general resources for those pursuing a Certificate of Recognition (COR).

What is COR?

The Certificate of Recognition (COR) program is an exclusive safety accreditation system. Audited by 10 independent Certifying Partners and recognized by the WCB-Alberta, COR is the only government-approved health and safety certification program in the province. Through the COR program, companies establish and maintain health and safety management systems that meet industry and provincial standards. It’s a comprehensive process involving employee training, internal audits, independent adjudication, and certification.

Companies that are serious about success are serious about safety. They’re COR-certified, and they promote a culture of workplace health and safety that reaps substantial financial benefits, increases morale and productivity, reduces injuries and saves lives.

For more information about COR, visit the Government of Alberta website.

Click here for a complete list of employers from around the province with an active COR.

COR Processes

Steps to Achieving a Regular COR

  1. Contact AFPA and Register in the COR/PIR program.
    AFPA Members and their contractors may utilize AFPA as their Certifying Partner (CP). Non-member contractors may utilize AFPA as their CP however an annual fee may be administered.
  2. Complete AFPA’s Leadership in Health and Safety (LHS) training.
    LHS training provides oversight in developing effective Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems (OHSMS). It covers the key elements of a comprehensive program.  
  3. Develop and implement an effective OHSMS in your workplace.
  4. Select an AFPA certified, external, consultant auditor.
  5. Complete a certification audit (requires an overall score of 80% with no less than 50% in any one element).

Once the external audit is approved, AFPA will submit a COR request. Once approved by government, the COR will be forwarded to you be email and mail, upon request.

Steps to Achieving a Small Employer Certificate of Recognition (SECOR)

To accommodate the needs small employers (i.e. employers with 10 or fewer total employees) and who are pursuing a COR, a self-administered audit process has been developed, unique to the needs of smaller operations.

  1. Contact AFPA and Register in the COR/PIR program.
  2. Complete the AFPA’s LHS training and participate in the 2-day Auditor Training session.
    If you choose to be externally audited, auditor training does not have to be completed.
  3. Develop and implement an effective OHSMS in your workplace.
  4. Complete a SECOR Assessment (requires an overall score of 80% with no less than 50% in any one element).
    This must be completed within 6 months of auditor training.  

Once the SECOR Assessment  is approved, AFPA will submit a COR request. Once approved by government, the SECOR will be forwarded to you be email, and mail upon request.