b"CSAM NEWSsystem, rather than needing to adjust to varied requirements across each jurisdiction to verify COR.COR is an occupational safety and health accreditation program that verifies a fully implemented safety and health management system that meets national standards. The objectives of COR are to provide industry employers with effective tools to develop, implement, assess and RESETTING THEpromote continual improvement of their safety and health management system to prevent or mitigate incidents and injuries as well as their associated human and financial costs.NATIONAL STANDARDContinuous improvement is critical in safety and health management, and the national COR program has continued ON SAFETY to evolve to remain relevant in meeting industry needs and expectations since its formal implementation in 2000, says Scott. Keeping safety practical for employers and workers The CFCSA introduces a newhas always been the intention of COR.harmonized audit instrumentTo achieve COR accreditation, an organization must establish, implement, monitor and maintain a safety for COR companies and health management system in accordance with the requirements of the national COR accreditation standard. COR accreditation involves the successful completion of The Canadian Federation of Construction Safetythree steps: completion of required training, implementation Associations (CFCSA) has officially endorsed a newof your safety and health management system and harmonized national audit instrument that clearly aligns withverification by a CFCSA member that the national COR the 2021 national COR accreditation standard. This newstandards are met. audit will be used across most Canadian jurisdictions toWeve worked closely with all CFCSA members over the verify that a companys safety and health program meets thepast two years to create these updates, Scott says. We national COR accreditation standard. feel very confident that the new national COR accreditation Along with the identical questions to be used within the auditstandard and harmonized audit instrument will help build instrument, CFCSA members have also worked to harmonizestronger jobsites across Canada, while also simplifying guidelines, observation and interview questions. The goalsafety and health so companies can save time and money in is to keep the 14 elements of the COR program the sameprotecting their workers and their bottom line.across Canadaany additions or variations specific toThe new harmonized national audit instrument was a province or territory are intended to be identified in aendorsed for CFCSA members at the June 2022 annual supplemental section.general meeting. The 2021 updates to the national COR accreditationCSAM will be transitioning to the harmonized audit standard enhanced its quality, relevance and effectivenessinstrument in November 2022. As part of CSAM's change with the new harmonized audit instrument, strengtheningmanagement plan, Manitoba companies will have the the integrity of how the COR national standard is verified,option to use either the current audit instrument or the new says Sean Scott, the 2022-2023 Chair of the CFCSA and theharmonized instrument for their next required audit. Effective Executive Director of the Construction Safety AssociationOctober 2023, only the harmonized audit instrument will be of Manitoba (CSAM). Whether you work in Newfoundland,accepted. Specific details regarding changes to the COR British Columbia, Manitoba or Yukon, the tool to verify CORprogram in Manitoba will be shared at the October COR will become the same from coast to coast to coast.Certified Companies Meeting and then posted to the CSAM The CFCSA works as an umbrella organization for provincialwebsite at constructionsafety.ca.and territorial construction safety associations with a shared interest in promoting awareness of construction safety and health; promoting harmonization of programs across Canada; improving information sharing; and collaboratively developing and promoting the use of industry-recognized codes of practice, best practices, safe work proceduresand standards.With these updates taking effect across most of Canada in 2023, it will be cleaner, simpler and more consistent to implement and audit safety and health managementIf you have questions about these changes, speak programs from province to province. This means companiesto Sean Scott at 204-775-3171. To learn more about with offices in multiple jurisdictions will be able to createthe CFCSA, visit cfcsa.ca.and adhere to one central safety and health management Issue 3 | Fall Edition | 2022 BUILD MANITOBA 27"