COR Certification with MHSA
Build a safer, more resilient manufacturing workplace — and earn the official mark of safety excellence.
Building safer, stronger manufacturing workplaces across Alberta.
A Certificate of Recognition (COR) is Alberta’s official recognition that your company’s Health and Safety Management System (HSMS) meets or exceeds provincial standards. The COR program — delivered under the Partnerships in Injury Reduction (PIR) initiative and co‑signed by the Government of Alberta and an authorized Certifying Partner — recognizes employers who have built practical, effective systems to protect workers, manage risk, and continuously improve.
Earning your COR signals to employees, customers, and industry that safety is not just a policy — it’s a core value.
Demonstrates due diligence and regulatory compliance.
Reduces workplace incidents and associated costs.
Qualifies your company for WCB‑PIR financial incentives.
Strengthens your reputation when bidding on contracts.
Builds a stronger safety culture and empowers your workforce.
Benefits of COR certification:
Why Get Your CORThrough MHSA?
MHSA is Alberta manufacturing’s designated Health and Safety Association and Certifying Partner — meaning we focus exclusively on the realities of your industry. When you work with us, you partner with safety professionals who understand your processes, equipment, and challenges.
Industry expertise: Our auditors and advisors specialize in manufacturing environments — from fabrication and welding to food processing and machinery design.
Tailored support: We guide you step‑by‑step through the certification process and help build a safety system that works for the size and type of your operation.
End‑to‑end service: From training and audit coordination to quality assurance and re‑certification, everything stays under one roof.
Recognized credibility: As a government‑approved Certifying Partner, MHSA’s COR certificate is fully recognized across Alberta and Canada.
Advocacy and leadership: We represent manufacturing employers in provincial safety policy, ensuring your voice is heard.
Which COR Program Is Right for You?
A comprehensive audit‑based certification of your full health and safety management system. Valid for three years, with annual maintenance audits.
A streamlined version of COR designed to meet the same principles with proportional documentation and self‑assessment.
Both programs follow the same provincial standards — they simply scale to your organization’s size and complexity.
Your Path to COR Certification
1. Start with Health and Safety Management System Training
Our Safety Basics Course introduces the essential elements of a compliant HSMS — policy, responsibilities, hazard identification, inspections, emergency response, and more. This is your starting point whether you are pursuing COR or SECOR.
2. Build or Strengthen Your Safety Management System
With MHSA’s resources and advisory support, you will implement each required element. Our advisors can conduct gap analyses and on‑site coaching sessions to prepare you for your audit.
3. Train an Internal Auditor
Enroll in MHSA’s Safety Auditor Training Course to learn how to evaluate the effectiveness of your system and prepare for the certification audit.
4. Schedule and Complete Your Audit
Once your system meets readiness criteria, MHSA’s COR Administrators coordinate your audit using the approved Partnerships audit instrument.
5. Quality Assurance Review
After completion, MHSA reviews the audit for accuracy and quality, provides feedback to your auditor, and submits it to Partnerships in Injury Reduction for final approval.
6. Maintain and Renew
Your COR is valid for three years. Each year, you’ll perform a maintenance audit to ensure continuous improvement and compliance.
Typical timeline: Depending on your company’s size, readiness, and resources, certification generally takes three to twelve months.
What’s Included When You Work with MHSA
Audit coordination and scheduling.
Access to health and safety templates, toolkits, and e‑learning.
Quality assurance review and feedback.
Guidance on action planning and maintenance audits.
Connection to a network of trained safety auditors.
Exclusive member pricing and additional support options.
Understanding the Health and Safety Management System (HSMS)
A strong HSMS is the backbone of your COR certification. It’s a proactive, system‑based approach to identifying hazards, assessing risks, implementing control measures, and ensuring every worker goes home safe at the end of the day.
A compliant HSMS typically includes:
Management commitment and leadership
Hazard identification and assessment
Hazard control and Safe Work Practices
Emergency response planning
Incident investigation and follow‑up
Worker competency, training, and supervision
Inspections and preventive maintenance
Documentation and record‑keeping
Program administration and continual improvement
“MHSA’s training, templates, and advisory services align each of these elements with industry best practices and Alberta’s Partnerships standards.”
MHSA Member Advantage
MHSA members receive:
Subsidized training through WCB levy funding
Reduced COR audit costs
Priority advisory support
Access to members‑only safety resources
Participation in networking and learning events
If your company operates under WCB codes 30100 or 62500, you are already an MHSA member through an automatically applied levy.
How Much Does COR Cost?
Fees depend on:
Employer size and audit type (COR vs. SECOR)
Number of training participants
Whether you are an MHSA member or non‑member
MHSA members enjoy preferred pricing on all courses and audits. Non‑members can access training at published rates, or join MHSA to unlock long‑term savings and extra support.
Get Started Today
Building your safety system is one of the best investments you’ll make in your business. MHSA’s team is ready to walk with you from your first training course to final certification.