Top 3 COR® Certification Mistakes to Avoid for OHSMS Success
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An Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) certification is a seal of quality that demonstrates a strong commitment to keeping people healthy and safe at work.
Your organization’s interest in receiving an OHSMS certification is highly commendable. It solidifies the efforts an organization has gone through to reach this stage, which can come with a unique set of challenges.
This article breaks down the 3 most common COR® certification mistakes and what workplaces can do to avoid them.
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COR Certification Mistake 1: Ineffective planning and Occupational Health & Safety manual
Not tailoring the manual to the organization:
An Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) manual sits at the core of the OHSMS. It is the physical guide that describes the policies and procedures of the OHSMS and demonstrates how the organization plans to meet each requirement of the certification standard.
A common misconception is that overloading a manual with irrelevant procedures will guarantee coverage of all certification requirements. This approach often backfires because the OHSMS is not aligned with the context of the organization, making implementation much more difficult.
Actions for workplaces to implement:
- Ensure your OHS manual is structured strategically. It must reflect your operations, and has to align with the requirements of COR®. This makes it easier to navigate your manual so it is more likely to be understand and followed. across all levels of the organization. This makes the process of future revisions convenient and efficient.
- Larger organizations should consider a multi-disciplinary team to design the OHSMS, especially when writing procedures or job-specific policies. Involving representatives during system development from various departments ensures a realistic manual.
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COR® Certification Mistake 2: Ineffective Implementation
Not implementing what’s needed to maintain the OHSMS certification:
Certification is not a one-and-done achievement. Some companies tend to have a sophisticated OHSMS manual without implementing the policies and procedures prescribed within it. This makes the regular external audits challenging to pass.
Actions for workplaces to implement:
- Involve the multi-disciplinary team in the design and implementation of the OHSMS and ensure involved parties take the time to review and understand the content of the OHSMS manual.
- If an off-the-shelf manual is used, budget the time and resources for tailoring it to the organization’s unique operations to ensure successful implementation.
- Educate the workforce about important policies and procedures when an OHSMS has been set up or updated.
Thanks to Workbright, we now have invaluable tools that have enhanced the way we work and are supporting workplaces throughout Ontario as they strive for occupational health and safety excellence.
Maren Gamble
Manager, Strategic Programs, Infrastructure Health & Safety Association
Contact WorkBright and learn more about COR
COR® Certification Mistake 3: Lack of Leadership Commitment
Lack of inclusion from the start:
Many OHS management systems fail due to a lack of solid senior leadership commitment. Companies often struggle when they agree to pursuing COR® certification but don’t understand the requirements of the standard. Involving senior management too late in the process can lead to surprises that sometimes jeopardize the company’s chances of achieving .
Actions for workplaces to implement:
- A COR® Gap Assessment is a good way to uncover what your workplace currently has in place for managing OHS versus what you need to do in order to align with the requirements of COR®. This avoids any unpleasant surprises which can delay the process of achieving COR®.
Top COR® certification misconceptions we hear:
- We can get COR® certified in less than a month.
- One person can handle the entire COR® implementation.
- COR® is just a template we can buy.
- Once we have COR®, we’re finished.
Avoid falling for these COR® certification mistakes that could delay achieving your certification. Contact WorkBright today and achieve COR® with confidence.
Avoiding COR® Certification Mistakes
Navigating the OHSMS certification process can be challenging. Many organizations either abandon the process midway or fail to meet the requirements during an audit. If your company is pursuing COR® certification, there are specific measures workplaces can implement to succeed and realize the benefits of OHSMS certification.
WorkBright™: Your Partner in Achieving COR® 2020
Mike Russo is one of the first trained IHSA COR® Consultants in Ontario. You will have direct access to IHSA-trained experts who understand the standard, the audit process, and how to get you certified with confidence.
With WorkBright’s strategic advice on COR® 2020, your organization can avoid common COR® certification mistakes that cause delays and wasted resources. Contact us to make your journey to COR® 2020 seamless.
COR® is a registered trademark of the Infrastructure Health & Safety Association (IHSA).
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