May 14, 2008

Occupational Health and Safety

WorkSafeBC increases rebates for companies that complete COR program

BRADLEY FEHR

editor

Construction companies in British Columbia could be in line to get a bit more money back from WorkSafeBC.

The occupational health and safety authority for the province recently announced that it is increasing rebates from five per cent to 10 per cent for companies that complete the Certificate of Recognition (COR) program.

The program encourages employers to implement and maintain effective health and safety programs through a series of courses.

“It’s voluntary and no one has to participate in it,” explained Glen McIntosh, manager of the COR program for WorkSafeBC.

“COR is earned by going above and beyond the minimum safety requirements.”

He said that there is more at stake than just the rebate when it comes to safety.

“You (construction companies) can’t afford to have injured workers because you can’t replace them,” McIntosh said.

The program consists of five courses. There is specific safety training for owners, supervisors and workers.

“The key thing is to bring an owner in and make sure they’ve bought in and understand the program,” he said.

As part of the amended program, companies with more than 20 employees, that wish to achieve COR status, will be expected to complete external audits, in order to qualify for the COR rebate and to renew their certification after three years.

The Construction Safety Network (CSN) and the Construction Safety Association of B.C. are the two certifying partners for the construction industry in B.C.

The chair of one of the certifying partners said that the program is about creating a culture of safety for the industry.

“We find that the majority of our members initially get involved with COR because of the money they will save,” said Stan Wiesmiller, chair of the CSN.

“Once in COR, however, they notice a remarkable change in their safety performance and culture and that’s what the program is really about.”

The rebate will be applied to each company’s baseline assessment.

WorkSafeBC is also working towards adding another five per cent rebate for companies completing the optional Return to Work element as part of the COR audit.

“It will be available this year,” McIntosh said.

The COR rebate is the only rebate currently available through WorkSafeBC, but McIntosh said that other factors, such as a poor safety record or work place fatalities, would wipe out any potential financial gain for employers.

“There is a process to mitigate that from happening,” he said.

The rebates are available to firms regardless of size and will be paid out in early 2009. They will be available to companies that are already at various stages of the COR program. Two other organizations offer the same program for the oil and gas, and forestry industries.

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