COR Audit Services · Alberta & Canada
Certificate of Recognition (COR) certification requires passing a formal audit against ESC or ACSA standards. We prepare your company for that audit — and act as your certified external auditor throughout the process.
Book a ConsultationWhat Is COR?
The Certificate of Recognition is an occupational health and safety management system standard used across Canada — primarily in Alberta, British Columbia, and other provinces with high-risk industries. COR certification demonstrates that your company has implemented and maintains an effective safety management system.
In Alberta, COR certification is administered through Energy Safety Canada (ESC) and the Alberta Construction Safety Association (ACSA). Many companies pursue COR certification to meet contractor requirements from major operators, reduce WCB premiums, or demonstrate safety leadership to clients.
The audit process is rigorous. It involves a document review, field verification, and worker interviews against a defined standard. Companies that go in underprepared often fail — or pass with significant corrective actions that create ongoing obligations.
Risk Refined acts as your certified external COR auditor. We also offer pre-audit preparation to assess where your system stands before the formal audit begins — so you know exactly what needs to be addressed and in what order.
For companies that don't yet have a complete safety management system, we build it. Our HSE consulting service includes development of the policies, procedures, and documentation needed to meet COR requirements.
Certifying Bodies
Risk Refined is certified to conduct audits under both major Alberta COR certifying partners.
ESC administers the COR program for companies operating in the upstream oil and gas sector in Alberta. Their audit standard is specifically designed for the risk profile of the energy industry. Risk Refined auditors are certified to conduct ESC-standard COR audits.
ACSA administers COR for Alberta's construction industry. The ACSA COR standard covers the full lifecycle of a construction safety management system. Risk Refined conducts ACSA audits and supports companies through the complete certification process.
How It Works
We review your existing safety management system against the applicable COR standard (ESC or ACSA) and identify gaps. This gives you a clear picture of what work needs to happen before the formal audit.
We help address identified gaps — updating documentation, procedures, and records to meet audit requirements. For companies without a complete safety system, we build what's needed.
We handle registration with your Certifying Partner (ESC or ACSA) and facilitate the formal audit scheduling process.
We conduct the formal audit — document review, field verification, and worker interviews — against the COR standard. Our audit reports are clear, thorough, and structured to support your certification outcome.
We support corrective action implementation, ongoing compliance, and preparation for future re-certifications. Our Safety Essentials subscription keeps your system audit-ready year-round.
Book a consultation and we'll assess where you stand and what needs to happen next.