Certificate of Recognition® Program

COR® Accreditation is awarded to companies which have met a national standard for occupational health and safety management systems in the construction industry. The objectives of COR® are to provide industry employers with effective tools to develop, implement, assess, and promote continual improvement of their safety and health management system to prevent or mitigate incidents and injuries as well as their associated human and financial costs.

COR® is nationally registered, trademarked and endorsed by the Canadian Federation of Construction Safety Associations (CFCSA) and is delivered through member associations that have a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to serve as the Authority Having Jurisdiction to grant COR® in their respective province/territory.  The NLCSA serves as the Authority Having Jurisdiction to grant COR® in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Specifically, the COR® Program helps construction companies understand OH&S legislation, and employer and worker rights and responsibilities. Understanding these rights and obligations can also help firms avoid liability and ensure due diligence. Through participation in the COR® program, employers and employees in the construction and related industries come to recognize that injury prevention must be an integral part of their business conduct and daily working routine.

Although COR® is a national standard, COR® Certification must be granted by the Authority Having Jurisdiction in each of the provinces/territories a company works in. COR® Reciprocity can be granted to companies who are COR® Certified through a CFCSA member but who do not have a permanent base of operations in the jurisdiction they are requesting reciprocity from. A straightforward process is available to companies that have achieved COR® and would like to request reciprocity in another jurisdiction. Please contact your provincial/territorial CFCSA member association to request COR® Reciprocity.

Download the COR Registration Application

COR® and PRIME

COR® Certified construction employers are eligible to receive a rebate on their WorkplaceNL assessment premium, as part of the PRIME employer incentive program.

The PRIME Program is overseen by the prevention division of WorkplaceNL.  The NLCSA has a formal agreement with WorkplaceNL, to establish PRIME standards for the Construction Industry in Newfoundland and Labrador, and to audit compliance with these standards through the Certificate of Recognition Program® (COR ®).

COR® Certification meets the requirements of the WorkplaceNL PRIME practice incentive criteria, for the construction industry.

Construction firms must be fully COR® certified and in good standing on December 31st of any given year, to be eligible for a PRIME practice incentive refund for that year.

Provincial Government Policy

With the inception of the NLCSA in 1996 and the establishment of the Certificate of Recognition® (COR®) program in 1997, the Government of Newfoundland & Labrador saw the value of COR®, to themselves as purchasers, and also to the employers and workers of the COR® certified companies.  It then introduced Provincial government policy (effective January 1, 1999 and still in effect today), which states that all firms bidding on government-funded construction contracts of any value must have a valid letter of Good Standing under COR® Program, as issued by the NLCSA. The policy also applies to any firms outside the province bidding on such contracts. Other public and private sector organizations, including many general contractors, also require COR® status from companies when purchasing construction services.

In Newfoundland & Labrador, the Certificate of Recognition® and all COR® Letters of Good Standing are issued exclusively by the NLCSA.

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Benefits of the COR Program

Whether operating in the Industrial/Commercial/Institutional, Road Building or Residential sector, construction companies are continuously faced with competitive issues, such as intense competition for contracts and labour, and escalating operating costs.

The COR® Program is a means by which companies can reduce costs, improve profitability, and further professionalize the industry, while making the workplace safer for everyone.

  • helps reduce the number and frequency of incidents, accidents, injuries, and fatalities
  • increases protection from OH&S liability and helps in establishing due diligence
  • helps lower lost-time claim rates
  • helps reduce risk of damage to equipment and property
  • provides province-wide access to affordable, appropriate, and industry-specific safety training
  • helps create a level playing field in which all contractors meet required health and safety standards
  • helps lower workers compensation assessment rates in the long-term
  • can result in fewer work interruptions
  • improves competitiveness and profitability
  • removes trade barriers with provinces that have a COR® requirement
  • third party verification of health and safety practices
  • improves record keeping
  • assists with recruitment and retention of workers – ‘Employer of Choice’
  • COR® is the standard for PRIME refunds for construction companies FAQ about PRIME
  • It’s the bid document required by many government departments, agencies, and private business purchasers, especially on large projects.  Provincial government policy states that all firms bidding on government-funded contracts of any value must have a valid Letter of Good Standing under the COR® Program, as is issued by the NLCSA. This policy also applies to any firms outside the province bidding on such contracts.
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  • creates a healthier and safer work environment
  • increases protection from OH&S liability and helps in establishing due diligence
  • raises safety awareness levels
  • improves morale and productivity
  • provides portable safety training skills

  • increases protection from OH&S liability and helps in establishing due diligence
  • results in fewer project delays and less downtime
  • helps protect interest and assets
  • helps lower project costs
  • demonstrates that the builder has NLCSA-prescribed safety training
  • provides third-party verification of the builder’s safety program through a COR® audit
  • demonstrates the owner’s/purchaser’s commitment to health and safety

  • competitive economy means greater employment opportunities
  • education and awareness transfers to activities outside the workplace
  • fewer social costs (e.g., health care)
  • greater protection of the public when interacting on work sites