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Partners Program (COR) FAQs
What is the Partners Program?
The Partners Program is a voluntary program that recognizes and provides financial rewards to employers who go beyond the legal requirements of the Workers Compensation Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, and take a best-practices approach to implementing health, safety, and return-to-work programs.
What is a Certificate of Recognition?
The Health and Safety Certificate of Recognition (COR) is the foundation of the Partners Program, and is awarded to employers who implement and maintain an occupational health and safety management system that exceeds regulatory requirements. After achieving the Health and Safety COR, the Injury Management/Return-to-Work COR recognizes employers for proactive return-to-work programs. CORs are earned by employers who successfully meet a set of audit standards.
Why would an employer want a COR?
Employers possessing one or more COR certificates make a strong statement about how much they value their workers and how committed they are to following best industry practices, which, in turn, makes them more competitive in business.
Are there other benefits to participating in the Partners Program?
The reward for this new, higher level of accountability is first and foremost a safer, healthier workforce - but there are important financial benefits, as well. Rebates of up to 15% of WorkSafeBC premiums are possible. Employers who obtain the Health and Safety COR may receive an annual 10% rebate on their WorkSafeBC premiums, and those who also possess the Injury Management/Return-to-Work COR are eligible for an additional 5%.
Over time, with reduced injuries and shorter claims duration, the employer's experienced rated WorkSafeBC premium will reflect additional savings. Also, in some industries, CORs are becoming a requirement as a prequalification to bid on work contracts.
How much does it cost to participate?
The cost to participate varies according to the size of each employer's operations and the industry in which the employer is operating. Potential costs include the cost for required training, the cost to perform audits, and the cost to implement and manage the health and safety management system and injury management/return-to-work system.
What is a Certifying Partner?
Certifying Partners are typically safety associations recognized by WorkSafeBC as having in-depth industry knowledge used to promote and develop workplace health and safety. Employers in different industries will have different Certifying Partners. Once an employer registers with a Certifying Partner, the Certifying Partner guides the employer to implement an effective health and safety management system, and helps the employer complete and pass a qualifying audit.
How can employers register for the program?
Employers wishing to register for the program should contact their industry safety association to confirm their industry has a Certifying Partner, and, if one is not available, to determine how to establish one. Employers may contact WorkSafeBC to establish a COR program for their industry.
What is a health and safety management system?
A health and safety management system is an infrastructure put in place by employers to minimize the incidence of injury and illness to their workers. This is accomplished through identifying, assessing, and controlling risks to workers in all workplaces. The scope and complexity of the management system vary according to the type of workplace and the nature of business.
What is an injury management/return-to-work system?
Building on the health and safety management system, an injury management/return-to-work system is a process put in place by an employer, in cooperation with workers and managers, to help injured workers return to meaningful, productive work in a safe and timely manner. The options available vary according to the size and type of workplace and the nature of business.
What is an audit?
An audit is a comprehensive review of the employer's management system(s). To qualify for a COR, the audit must be carried out by a qualified auditor, using an audit instrument approved for use in the Partners Program, and appropriate to the industry and employer's operations. The audit covers the basic elements required for the management system and includes interviews, a documentation review, and first-hand observation.
How long is a COR valid?
COR certifications are valid for three years. Annually, every employer must conduct a maintenance audit to keep their COR(s) valid.
Should small employers participate in this program?
Any employer, regardless of size, will benefit from a healthy and safe work environment. To keep participation costs manageable for smaller employers, a modified audit standard may be used, and there's greater flexibility to use an internal employee trained in auditing to perform the audits. As well, there's a minimum annual COR rebate (currently the lesser of $500, or one half (1/2) of what the employer has paid in premiums for the rebate year being calculated) to ensure a financial incentive is possible for even the smallest employers.