Preparing for a COR Audit: What Every Company Needs to Know

Getting ready for your COR audit? Here’s what you need to know to feel confident and fully prepared.

Achieving a Certificate of Recognition (COR) is a major milestone for any company — it demonstrates a strong commitment to health and safety, boosts operational performance, and can even provide financial incentives through rebate programs. But for many businesses, the audit process can feel overwhelming if they’re not sure what to expect.

At Advantage Safety Services, we help companies build and maintain safety systems that meet COR standards with confidence. Whether you’re pursuing COR certification for the first time or preparing for recertification, proper planning and understanding the requirements will set you up for success.

What Is a COR Audit?

A COR audit is an in-depth evaluation of your company’s health and safety management system. It assesses how well your policies, procedures, and real-world practices align with regulatory and industry standards — often guided by Energy Safety Canada or your certifying partner.

The audit includes:

• Documentation review

• Employee interviews

• Observations of work practices and safety culture

This ensures that what’s written in your manuals is actually being followed on the job.

Common Challenges Companies Face

Even well-intentioned companies can struggle when:

• Safety documentation is outdated or incomplete

• Field practices don’t match written procedures

• Workers aren’t informed or trained on safety expectations

• There’s limited internal tracking of inspections, incidents, and training requirements

These gaps can delay certification or result in corrective actions.

How to Set Yourself Up for Success

Solid preparation makes all the difference. A few key steps include:

• Conducting internal reviews ahead of the audit

• Ensuring training and certifications are current and documented

• Consistently using forms, inspections, and hazard assessments

• Communicating safety expectations clearly at all levels of the company

A strong safety culture should be visible in both paperwork and day-to-day operations.

We’re Here to Support You

If you’re unsure where to start — you’re not alone. Our team at Advantage Safety Services offers:

✔ COR Audit Preparation

✔ Certified COR Auditing

✔ Safety Program Development & Improvement

✔ Ongoing compliance support

We identify gaps early, provide practical solutions, and help your team feel confident throughout the entire process.

Ready to take the next step toward COR success?

Reach out today — let’s make safety your Advantage.