Thinking about getting a Certificate of Recognition (COR) for your business in Alberta? COR certification has many benefits. It can lead to savings on WorkSafeBC premiums and better workplace safety. But, you might be curious about the costs of the COR audit process.
The price of a COR audit in Alberta changes based on your company’s size and operations complexity. It also depends on whether you pick an external or internal auditor. Knowing the costs and requirements for COR certification is key for planning and budgeting.
In this article, we’ll look at the costs of COR audits in Alberta. We’ll talk about what affects the price and give you a peek into the certification process. Whether you run a small business or a big corporation, knowing the financial side of COR audits helps you make smart choices. It also ensures your workplace is safe.
Understanding the COR Program in Alberta
The Certificate of Recognition (COR) program in Alberta is a top-notch system for occupational health and safety. It shows employers’ dedication to a safe work environment. The program also lowers cor safety audit fees and brings many benefits to certified companies.
Benefits of COR Certification
Getting COR certification has many perks for employers in Alberta, including:
- Potential lower Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) premiums and annual rebates
- Boosted productivity, less sick time, and happier staff
- Better reputation and a competitive edge in bidding
- Showcasing a strong commitment to workplace safety and following health and safety rules
Requirements for COR Certification
To get COR certification, employers need to meet certain criteria, such as:
- A senior manager and a full-time employee must finish specific training, like COR Essentials and Basic Auditing Principles
- They must do an internal health and safety audit
- They need to pass an audit by a certified auditor
- They must follow the COR program’s rules
The cost for the COR program includes training and consulting. For example, the COR Essentials course costs $97.50 for members and $195 for non-members. The labor compliance audit cost Alberta for consulting services varies from $350 for a Review of Internal Audit to $1,390 per day for Member Consulting Services.
After getting certified, the COR certification is good for three years. To keep it, employers must do internal audits in the second and third years. The occupational health and safety audit cost for recertification is in the fourth year, when employers must reapply and start the process again.
Factors Affecting COR Audit Cost in Alberta
When looking at construction safety audit costs in Alberta, it’s key to know what affects the price. The size and complexity of your company are big factors. Larger companies need more detailed audits, which can raise the cost.
For companies with 20 or more employees, they need to score 80% to pass the COR audit. They must also get at least 50% on each audit element.
The type of audit also changes the cost. External audits, needed for initial and every three years after, cost more than internal audits. Internal audits are done in the years between external audits.
External audit costs depend on the company’s size. There’s a daily fee cap of $550 for external auditors.
Auditor Fees and Expenses
Auditor fees and travel costs add to the total cost of the COR audit. Training for internal auditors costs $199 (plus tax) per person. Being COR certified can also give you a rebate or credit on WorkSafeBC premiums.
- Assessable Payroll / 100 X CU Base Rate X 10%
For instance, a hotel with a $3 million payroll could get a rebate of $5,010. This is based on their qualifying for the COR incentive.
Knowing what influences construction safety audit costs in Alberta helps you plan better. This way, you can budget for your company’s COR certification.
How Much Does a COR Audit Cost in Alberta?
The cost of a COR audit in Alberta changes based on several things. These include your company’s size and complexity, the audit type, and any extra costs. The annual COR certification fee is between $150 and $250. Audit review fees range from $600 to $1,200.
Choosing an external auditor means you’ll pay their fees directly. These can go up to $550 a day, plus travel costs. For internal audits, training for auditors costs $199 plus tax.
To get COR certification in Alberta, your company must score 80% in the audit. No element can score less than 50%. The certification lasts three years, with internal audits needed in the next two years.
Companies have 45 days to finish an audit. Large employers must send their action plan to SafetyDriven within 21 days. If you fail the audit, you might get a second chance within 90 days if you score between 70 and 79%. Scores of 69% or lower need a full audit later.
Getting COR in Alberta can save you money. You get a 10% refund in the first year and 5% each year after. WCB rebate cheques are sent out in June after processing in April.
However, the audit process can take over a year if your company lacks a health and safety system. Fall and winter are busy times for auditors, which can delay audits. Make sure your internal auditors have enough time to do their job well.
In short, the cost of COR certification in Alberta varies. It depends on your company’s size, the audit type, and other costs. Knowing these factors helps you plan and budget for the audit, keeping your company compliant and eligible for WCB rebates.
