9 min
How to Prepare for Your COR Audit in Alberta: What Contractors Need to Know
Your audit date is coming up. Here is what auditors actually check — and where most small contractors fall short.
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COR 2019-09-12 2 min read
Are You Ready for the New COR Audit?
The updated COR audit protocol raises the bar for Alberta employers. Understanding what auditors are looking for — and where most companies fall short — is the difference between passing and starting over.
What Changed in the Current COR Audit Tool
There is no new COR legislation effective January 2026; the current COR audit tool version updated in 2023 remains the standard as of May 2026. Or are you going to be applying for your COR Audit for the first time? No matter your level of experience with COR, all companies will be audited at a new level of standards, including updates to:
- New element added: Public, Visitors and Contracted Employers (Element 2);
- New element added: Health and Safety Committees/Health and Safety Representatives (Element 3) and;
- Workplace violence and harassment prevention plans are mandatory under OHS Code Part 27, but their evaluation within the COR audit tool is voluntary and not a legislated requirement.
New Audit Tool Highlights Alberta Employers Should Know
In preparation for your audit, you should also familiarize yourself with the ASCA’s New Audit Tool Highlights such as:
- The new audit tool will consist of 10 elements in total, with 5 fewer questions than the prior tool
- The Auditor will award zero or full points and the positive indicator requirement has increased to a minimum of 70% (unless otherwise specified)
- Audit timelines have also changed with the Data Collection Period remaining at 45 days, but the Report Writing & Submission dropping down to a maximum of 21 days
How to Prepare Your Safety Program for the Audit
With so many updates, your company and staff’s health and well-being at stake, and only one chance to pass, Safety Ahead can help you prepare and a rebuild your safety program in a timely and efficient manner.
At Safety Ahead we offer comprehensive Safety Program Assessments and Audits, including preparation for the ACSA audits for COR Certification. We work with you and your team to change your organizational culture into one that focuses on safety at its core. Working with you one day a week over approximately 6 months, our coaching and assistance will help you develop an ongoing plan of safety action that can be turned over and fully managed, easily and successfully, by you. If you need to move faster, we can adjust the cadence. Now is the time to be proactive and prepare for your COR Audit with the guidance and proven track record of Safety Ahead.
What Alberta Clients Have Achieved on Audit
“Over the past 6 years, Modular Services Inc. has contracted Safety Ahead Ltd. Recently they have worked with us to update our health and safety manual to the revised ACSA COR Requirements. With the recent manual change, Modular Services Inc. was able to secure another COR Certificate for an additional 3 years with a score of 96% on the external audit.”
– Director, Modular Services Inc.
Many other Safety Ahead clients have earned COR Audit scores within the high 90s after receiving our tailored training and easy to follow safety plan process for their business.
If you are due for your COR Audit and are not yet ready for the new legislation, connect with Safety Ahead today to get it done and get it done right!
Health and safety programs should be updated to align with the current 2023 COR audit tool standards, not 2019.
Cited: Alberta Construction Safety Association http://www.youracsa.ca/cor-secor/2019-audit-tool/
Frequently Asked Questions
The updated COR audit includes evaluation of Public, Visitors and Contracted Employers (Element 2), and Health and Safety Committees or Representatives (Element 3) where applicable. Workplace violence and harassment prevention plans are now assessed within the Hazard Control element (Element 6). The current COR audit tool (2023 version) includes elements such as Management Leadership, Hazard Assessment and Control, and Health and Safety Committees or Representatives, but does not specifically designate 'Public, Visitors and Contracted Employers' as Element 2. Workplace violence and harassment prevention plans are assessed as part of hazard control and management leadership elements but not solely within Element 6.
Auditors now assign zero or full points per question, and a minimum of 70% positive indicators is required to pass each element, unless otherwise specified. The current COR audit tool requires an overall minimum passing score of 80%, with no individual element scoring below 50%.
Employers have a 45-day data collection period, while auditors have a maximum of 21 days to complete report writing and submission. The Alberta OHS legislation and COR audit tool do not specify fixed timelines for data collection or auditor report completion; these timelines are determined by the certifying partner or auditor.
Alberta employers should consider hiring a safety consultant for fractional safety leadership, safety program development, and COR audit support when they need expert guidance to update policies, train staff, and ensure compliance with new COR standards efficiently.---
Written by
Safety Ahead Team
Alberta-based safety consultants with decades of field experience — COR auditors, OHS advisors, and WCB specialists working with employers across the province.
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