New COR Audit Protocol Launch May 1, 2010

A new Certificate of Recognition (COR) Health & Safety Audit Protocol, produced by and for the oil and gas industry, will be implemented by Enform later this spring. Companies and auditors will have the option of using the new protocol starting May 1, 2010 and will be required to use it for any COR audits started on or after July 1, 2010. 

The protocol promotes the effective implementation of health and safety management systems. It was developed, tested and revised with direct input from all oil and gas sectors, as well as COR auditors. As it incorporates higher auditing standards that meet the requirements of all three western provinces, the new protocol has been approved by the governing bodies of BC, Alberta and has been developed to meet the upcoming requirements of Saskatchewan.

Enform's COR audit protocol will apply to all Enform COR holders, applicants and auditors, replacing the existing Basic Safety Program Audit (BSPA). It will not apply to Small Employer Certificate of Recognition (SECOR) holders or companies participating in the Partnerships Audit Standard Equivalency (PASE) program. Companies needing to renew their COR in 2010 will be most impacted.

The protocol changes are less about content and more about emphasis. Aspects of the COR audit that are weighted heavier in the new protocol include:

• Management involvement
• Effective implementation of health and safety management systems throughout organizations,
  not just having these systems present
• Task analysis
• Competency and supervisor training
• Inspections, investigations and control of known hazards
• Emergency Response Plans that link to hazard assessments and measure implementation
• Follow-up on recommendations from previous audits

To view the new COR Health & Safety Protocol with changes highlighted, please click here

Impacts on Companies

Enform recognizes that the enhanced audit protocol will affect all Enform COR holders and applicants. As the oil and gas industry's certifying partner, Enform is helping companies successfully use the new protocol by communicating audit details well in advance of implementation, providing training for those involved, and offering a staged implementation strategy.

Companies needing to renew their COR in 2010 will be most impacted and thus are strongly encouraged to review and prepare for the higher auditing standards prior to the required implementation date of July 1, 2010.

Impacts on Auditors

External and internal auditors must complete additional training before using the new audit. The "New COR Audit Protocol Seminar", a half-day workshop, will be available starting in April 2010. Check the Enform website later this month for details. The seminar will outline changes to Enform's new COR Health & Safety Audit Protocol and describe its implementation plan, and will teach auditors how to use the new ECOR database to write and submit their audit reports.

Internal auditors will need to take an additional half-day workshop, unless they:

• Have a CRSP designation or equivalent; or
• Have taken Enform's Safety Program Development course since December 2007; or
• Have taken the University of Alberta's OH&S Certificate program or equivalent; or
• Can demonstrate through other accepted means that they have an advanced understanding of health and safety systems, e.g. internal auditors who can provide evidence of other acceptable training for the topics covered in the workshop.

Internal auditors not in one of the categories above will be required to take Enform's half-day classroom-based workshop on the new audit protocol.  An application process to verify the exemptions listed above will be in place shortly.  The "Internal Auditor Workshop" will be available starting in April 2010.  Cost savings will be provided to those internal auditors who take the Internal Auditor Workshop and the New COR Auditor Seminar on the same day at the same location. 

Visit the Courses section of the Enform website later this month for details.

Please call our Call Center at (800) 667-5557 (Option 3) with any questions.