Serving western Canada's sheet metal industry

By: Cathy Lange

A new program designed to help construction companies save money and enhance safety in the workplace is now available for small businesses through the Construction Safety Association of BC. Developed in association with WorkSafeBC and the Construction Safety Network, the Small Business Certificate of Recognition (COR) program helps owners of small construction companies understand and manage their health and safety responsibilities to reduce workplace injuries and site delays.

Small Business COR is specifically designed to meet the application and training needs of the smaller employer and is based on the nationally recognized Certificate of Recognition Program, which has been running in BC for the past six years. CSABC has enrolled more than 200 BC construction companies in the program since its inception.

The modified program recognizes that small businesses with less than 20 employees have their own unique challenges with regards to health and safety. The existing large employer program includes six days of training. Small employers found this to be taxing, as they could not afford to take the time off work. The program has now been redesigned to help small employers obtain their COR in two days.

The most important reward is a safer, healthier workplace and workforce—but there are also financial benefits. Rebates of up to 15% on WorkSafeBC assessments are available to companies who complete the program. Employers who obtain and maintain the Health and Safety COR may receive an annual 10% rebate on their WorkSafeBC assessments, and those who also achieve the Injury Management/Return to Work COR are eligible for another 5%.

In order to qualify for Small Business COR a company must take the following steps:

1. Submit an application to CSABC

2. Complete two days of training (as described below)

3. Audit their Health and Safety Program on an ongoing basis.

Principles of Health and Safety Management (online course)

This is an online self-paced course that outlines each of the elements of a health and safety program. The course allows participants to develop policies and forms that can be compiled to produce a company’s health and safety manual. Principles of Health and Safety Management (PHSM) is the co-requisite course in obtaining certification as a COR internal auditor for small businesses. The course is offered free of charge and can be taken over a longer period of time if necessary.

Small Business Auditor Training (one-day course)

The Small Business Auditor Training course is a oneday classroom-based program that provides participants with the training required for health and safety program auditing. Focusing on the principles behind day-to-day safety management, injury management, and health and safety program auditing, participants of the Small Business Auditor Training course will obtain skills and knowledge appropriate to develop, monitor, and improve on their safety management system. This includes modification, assessment, and correction of risk for workers in the workplace.

Both courses must be completed before the participant can obtain Small Business Auditor Certification. Companies under Classification Unit 72(CU72) are also eligible for course cost reimbursement up to $150 + GST when they achieve COR.

According to Jim Riches, safety manager for Greyback Construction, “Safety training makes good business sense. There are a number of benefits to companies who complete the Small Business COR program. Employers 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. Safety training programs not only help employers to reduce injury costs, they also lead to reduced errors and increased productivity.”

Dominion Neon, a sign manufacturing and installation company based in Aldergrove recently completed CSABC’s Small Business COR program. According to Lisa Pool, safety co-ordinator, “Our work is primarily based in the petroleum industry where there is a very high standard of safety. We already had a safety program in place, but the Small Business COR program has helped us to now be recognized as an industry leader in safety. The COR audit also helped us to realize areas where we could improve on our health and safety system. The importance of safety in the workplace is at the forefront both locally and globally. We need to be competitive and change with the times. We are dedicated to having an effective safety program at Dominion Neon.”

For more information on the Small Business Certificate of Recognition Program, visit the Construction Safety Association of BC website at <www.csabc.ca> or contact Cathy Lange, executive director at 604.434.3222. CL