COR™ Audit Instructions - IHSA · Verification Technique The COR™ Audit uses three methods to verify information: document review; interview; and observation. An element item

COR™ Audit Instructions

Instructions COR™ Audit

Infrastructure Health & Safety Association (IHSA) © 08/15 1

Table of Contents Page

Instructions for Completing the COR™ Audit ............................................................................... 2

COR™ Audit Timetable ................................................................................................................ 2

Audit Guidelines ............................................................................................................................ 4

1. Preparing for the Audit .............................................................................................................. 4

COR™ Pre-Audit Checklist ............................................................................................... 5

General Audit Guidelines .................................................................................................. 7

Audit Document Format .................................................................................................... 7

Navigating the Audit Document ......................................................................................... 8

Score Possible, Partial Scores and Verification Techniques............................................. 9

Legislated Requirements ................................................................................................ 12

Item Guidelines ............................................................................................................... 13

Auditor’s Notes ................................................................................................................ 13

Calculations ..................................................................................................................... 15

2. Performing the Audit ............................................................................................................... 16

Document Review ........................................................................................................... 16

Interviews ........................................................................................................................ 19

Observations ................................................................................................................... 21

Item Scoring Guidelines .................................................................................................. 22

Minimum Scores for Passing the COR™ Audit ............................................................... 23

3. Summarizing the Audit ............................................................................................................ 23

Audit Summary Report .................................................................................................... 23

Corrective Action Plan ..................................................................................................... 24

Submitting the Audit ........................................................................................................ 26

Audit Submission Checklist ............................................................................................. 28

Audit Information Form .................................................................................................... 30

Pre and Post Audit Meeting Form ................................................................................... 31

Corrective Action Plan ..................................................................................................... 32

Audit Summary Report .................................................................................................... 33

Agreement on Confidentiality and Non-disclosure .......................................................... 35

Definitions ....................................................................................................................... 36



Instructions for Completing the COR™ Audit This document has been provided to you by the Infrastructure Health & Safety Association

(IHSA) because of your participation in the Ontario Certificate of Recognition (COR™) program.

It is designed to measure the effectiveness of your company’s Health and Safety Management

System (HSMS).

This document is for the use of the Ontario COR™ registered company employee(s)

designated to act as the internal auditor(s) only, or by IHSA staff, who have been trained in

its use.

Please read the instruction pages carefully before proceeding with the COR™ Audit. Forms and documents (pre and post meeting, action plans etc) included in this documented MUST be completed and returned with your audit.

Before applying for COR™, the company should have a functioning health and safety program

in place for at least one (1) year. The program must contain the 19 elements required for the

COR™ audit. The elements may be listed under other headings. The auditor will take this into

consideration when reviewing the audit.

COR™ Audit Timetable Upon registration, the Employer is provided with an electronic copy of the COR™ audit package

which includes the audit instrument and instructions.

The designated Internal Auditor must submit the completed audit instrument and all supporting

documents and forms within the timeframes set out in the COR™ Audit timetable.

The employer is responsible for ensuring the audit is completed and submitted according to the

following timeframes. Failure to do so may result in the company not receiving COR™

certification



Year 1

The employer will submit the completed internal audit and all supporting material in hard or

electronic format (health & safety program and any documents such as completed forms,

schedules, lists etc. used as verification) to IHSA for review.

Upon receipt of the audit documentation, IHSA will date stamp and log it into the COR™

tracking system.

COR™ Manager assigns the internal audit to an IHSA auditor.

The auditor will review the audit and provide feedback to the participating Employer within

60 days of receipt of the internal audit.

Failure to complete the COR™ Audit document as directed may result in the audit being

returned for required corrections, additions or changes.

If corrections are required (e.g. legislated requirements) the Employer will be allowed up to

120 days to re-submit the corrected document.

The external audit will be initiated if the internal audit meets the following requirements

which include but are not limited to: receipt of supporting documentation, legislated

questions achieving 100%, meeting minimum score requirements for each element and the

overall audit and the quality of evidence submitted.

If the Employer does not pass the External Audit, IHSA will provide in writing the areas of

improvement required. The Employer will have 120 days to provide confirmation that

corrective actions have been implemented. A re-audit may be required.

Years 2 - 3 An annual audit must be completed by the designated Internal Auditor and submitted by the

Employer at the beginning of year 2 and 3. The audit must be in the standard format required

by IHSA and include all supporting documentation and a written report. The audit must pass an

audit review conducted by the IHSA for the Employer to maintain good standing.

Successful completion of the yearly Internal Audit must occur on or before the anniversary date

of the Employer’s initial receipt of the Certificate of Recognition.

Year 4

The end of the third year marks the completion of the COR™ cycle. Continued participation in

COR™ requires the Employer to re-register for the program.



Audit Guidelines There are three phases in the audit process.

1. Preparing for the audit

2. Performing the audit

3. Summarizing the audit

Checklists for the auditor(s) use which list the tasks to be completed in each phase are provided

on the following pages.

1. Preparing for the Audit How long will it take to complete the COR™ Internal Audit? The COR™ audit can be time consuming, depending on the size and diversity of jobs and

locations within your company. In addition to the time required to train your company auditor,

realistic timeframes must be considered for performing your company internal audit.

For example, the audit requires the conducting of interviews. Each interview will take

approximately 45 minutes. If your audit requires 10 employees to be interviewed, the total

interview time is 7 ½ hours. Depending on where your employees are located, additional time

will need to be added. The auditor should contact the appropriate company representative

(owner, manager) to verify and arrange the details before beginning the audit.



COR™ Pre-Audit Checklist

1. Inform company or participants of requirements Completed

Determine: Name of company key contact person

Date, time and location of the pre-audit meeting

Date, time and location of document review (desk audit)

Names and positions of attendees for the pre-audit meeting

Locations of active worksites for the audit

Peak activity times

Company activities on the day of the audit

Availability of H&S manual for advance review

Auditor personal protective equipment (PPE) required

Speciality PPE and training required

Additional auditor training (e.g. WHMIS, workplace specific)

Auditor identification required (photo id, driver’s license)

Facility for interviews (quiet, comfortable, and convenient)

Availability of records/documentation for review

Workplace/site orientation requirements

Workplace/site escort requirements

Sample size and specifics for interviews

Number of management & workers available for interview



2. Gather background information Completed

Locate: Written description of organization (website, annual report)

Company organizational chart

Company health and safety statistics

Previous audit or action plan (if available)

3. Gather tools

Obtain: COR™ Audit, interview and observation documents

Current copy of applicable health and safety legislation

Appropriate PPE (for workplace observation)

Clipboard, pens, highlighters, post-it notes, measuring tape,

camera, flashlight, carrying bag/knapsack

4. Familiarization tour

Arrange: A tour of the workplace/site(s) accompanied by a knowledgeable

company employee to become familiar with the work processes

and workplace/site layout before the actual audit.

5. Pre-audit meeting

Address: Confidentiality and how it will be maintained

Scope of the audit (# of sites, interviewees etc)

Verification methods (documentation, observation, interview)

Minimum performance standards

Procedure for handling and communicating auditor concerns e.g.

dangerous situations, illegal activities etc.

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Navigating the Audit Document Each of the elements has a number of questions set out in evaluation pages that the auditor

must complete. For easy identification, the evaluation pages have the name of the element

printed on the left side of the information bar at top of the page. In addition to the element name,

the bar contains the headers for the columns directly below, specifically: Score Possible; Score

Acheived; Legislated, and; Verification Techniques.

The audit questions, identified by the item number, are situated below the information bar.

Guidelines relating to the questions are included directly below the questions. A space for

auditor comments is provided.

Evaluation page format



Score Possible, Partial Scores and Verification Technique The following examples provide detail on the “Score Possible”, “Verification Technique” columns

and, guidelines for partial scores.

Score Possible



Partial Score In the example below, the auditor must use two verification techniques for evaluation as shown

by the split cell in the score possible column.

In addition, each technique may be assigned partial points if the full evaluation criteria is not

met. This is shown by the cells having filled backgrounds.

Guideline for Partial Scores The following is provided as a general guideline to the assist the auditor in assigning a partial

score when required.



Verification Technique The COR™ Audit uses three methods to verify information: document review; interview; and

observation.

An element item may require the use of more than one verification method.

When “and” is used in the verification technique column, the auditor must confirm the

element item using both techniques. e.g. document review and interview.

When “or” is used in the verification technique column, the auditor selects either of the

techniques to confirm the element item e.g. document review or observation.



Legislated Requirements

Legislated requirements, those items marked with an asterisk,

must achieve a score of 100% to pass the audit.

If you have scored less than 100% on a legislated requirement, IHSA encourages you to

take action and make any changes before you send in the audit for assessment. Please

acknowledge that this performance gap existed and has been corrected in your auditor

notes. If you need more time to make the correction please contact IHSA for an extension.

NOTE: If an employer does not achieve 100% for a legislated question, the employer does

not pass the audit and cannot proceed until the item has been corrected.

If the legislated requirement is n/a, such as in Element 15 - First Aid Room requirements or

Element 16 - JHSC/Health and Safety representative requirements, remember to justify your

answer in the auditor notes. IHSA will adjust the audit score to reflect the n/a if it is

applicable.



Item Guidelines

Each item question in the audit document has a corresponding guideline. These guidelines

provide the auditor with additional information to assist in answering the item questions

accurately.

Auditor’s Notes



The auditor is required to write comments in the auditor’s notes section.

These include:

Reference to where supporting evidence was found (document page number or document

title)

Reference to support material (forms, minutes) that were used for verification

What was observed by the auditor (one word comments are not adequate)

Reason for assigning a score of zero, partial score or N/A

Any other comments or reminders which may assist the auditor

Example - Auditor’s Notes



Calculations At the bottom of each evaluation page, a sub-total or net total category for that particular

element can be found. The auditor is not required to perform these calculations.



2. Performing the Audit Once the preparation has been done, the auditor is ready to proceed with gathering the

information required by the COR™ Audit. This involves reviewing the documentation for the

organization’s Health and Safety Management System, as well as, gathering supporting

evidence by obtaining records, interviewing employees and observing work practices.

Document Review The documentation review and verification must be done before the interview and observation

portions of the audit.

The document review involves assessing the content and completeness of the company’s

health and safety manual and any records and/or forms pertaining to health and safety.

The auditor is looking for evidence of company/work specific practices and procedures.

Records and forms are typically examined for completeness by checking for dates,

frequency, agenda items, signatures and attendance, to name a few items.

Ensure that you have highlighted the specific verifying information in your H&S

Program manual and on the records and forms that are being submitted. (Examples 1 and

2)



Example 1

Example 2



Documents required for verification may include but are not limited to: Safety policy statement and company rules

Orientation records (staff/workers)

Discipline records

Corporate safety evaluation system

Emergency telephone lists

Ministry of Labour (MOL) orders and inspection reports for completed work

Hazard assessment

Company rules, safe work practices and safe job procedures

Housekeeping policy

Individual training records for all employees [as required]

Equipment/tool maintenance log and inspection checklists

Safety communication reports

Incident reports

First aid reports

WSIB Form 7s. and health and safety statistical reports Occupational Health and Safety Act and construction regulations

Company policy booklet

First aid certificates

First aid treatment records

Health and safety committee minutes and health and safety representative reports

MOL orders and inspection reports

Safety communication records such as memos, notices, journal entries, reports,

recommendations or training records (for instance, toolbox talks)

Specific site requirements for orientation, including hazards, rules, emergency procedures,

and WHMIS products (MSDS’s)

Names of health and safety representatives or JH&SC members posted

Inspection lists for planned inspections

Completed workplace inspection reports (including corrective action taken)

Emergency procedures and phone numbers

Safe work practices and safe job procedures



Interviews The purpose of the interview is to gauge employee understanding of the company health and

safety program. Both management and workers must be interviewed to verify some element

items. The auditor will determine whether the interviewee provides a positive or negative

response and mark the item accordingly.

Example of an interview page



If available, use the company organizational chart to select a cross section of employees

(management and workers) to interview.

Senior management should inform the various department supervisors to assist in the audit

by ensuring that interviewees are available and understand the purpose of the audit.

Interviews will be conducted one on one. Group interviews are not acceptable.

The auditor is required to ask each interviewee all questions that apply to their position

(management or worker).

Ask the questions as they are written. If it is necessary to paraphrase or probe further, do

not change the intent of the question.

Do not provide the answers or lead the respondents to the answers.

In order to achieve a maximum score possible for the interview question, 51%

of all employees interviewed (combined total of management plus workers) must

supply a positive response to the question.

Use the Audit Interview Ratio Table to determine the number of employees to interview.

The auditor may determine that additional interviews are required based on company size

and diversity of work i.e. company is divided by region or type of work.

A separate Interview Questions Document is provided for the auditor’s use. Use one

document for each worksite where interviews are being conducted. If using this separate

document, the auditor must ensure the final results (total of all interviews) are transferred to

the COR™ Audit document.



Audit Interview Ratio Table

# of employees # of

managers/supervisors to interview

# of workers to interview

Total to be interviewed

1 - 10 2 5 7

11 to 25 2 6 8

26 to 50 3 7 10

51 to 100 4 9 13

101 to 200 5 14 19

Over 200 6 24 30

Observations The purpose of conducting observations is to verify the information gathered during the

documentation review and the interviews. Specifically, the auditor is visually confirming whether

the workers are following procedures and/or whether the workplace/site conforms to the legal

and company health and safety program requirements. For example, are required documents

posted or available in the workplace.

The worksites included in the audit must be representative of the overall company operations.

The main office/shop visit must be included in the scope of the audit. Do not include these as

active sites to be visited. To determine the number of worksites to visit refer to the Worksite

Guideline table.



Worksite Observations Guidelines

Active Sites Minimum Number of Sites to be Visited*

1 Site must be visited

2 Both sites must be visited

3 - 4 At least 2 sites must be visited

5 - 8 At least 3 sites must be visited

9 - 30 At least one third (1/3) of the sites must be visited

30+ Employer/auditor must contact IHSA to determine representative

sampling for worksite observation

*The main office/shop must be included in addition to these worksites.

A separate Observation Questions Document is provided for the auditor’s use. If using this

separate document, the auditor must ensure the final results are transferred to the COR™ Audit

document.

Item Scoring Guidelines All element items in the audit are verified by appropriate documentation, observation and/or

interview.

Every element item, or question, in the audit must have a score assigned to it (numerical,

zero or N/A) and the value recorded in the “score achieved” column.

A score of zero (0) or a partial score is recorded where documentation, observation

and/or interview is required but cannot be verified.

Where the score assigned is zero, N/A or a partial score (where allowed), the auditor will

provide comments in the Auditor’s Notes to support the score awarded.

Some items do not apply to company operations. When this occurs, enter the full score in

the score achieved column and note the N/A, and reason for applying it, in the auditor’s

notes. IHSA will make any adjustments to the “score possible” column during the audit

review process.



Minimum Scores for Passing the COR™ Audit

The minimum total score required for passing the COR™ Audit is 80%. For an individual element, the passing score is 65%.

If, while completing the internal audit you identify a performance gap in your health and

safety system that places you below the minimum passing grade required, IHSA

encourages you to take action and make any changes before you send in the audit for

assessment. Please acknowledge that this gap existed and has been corrected in your

auditor notes. If you need more time to make the correction please contact IHSA for

extension.

Additional Information Requirements During the course of the audit, the auditor may find it necessary to access additional information

or documentation to assist with the evaluation process.

As an example, the auditor must have a grasp of the various Acts and Regulations that apply to

the organization being audited. For example, in a company involved in road building, it may be

necessary to evaluate the content of a traffic control plan.

3. Summarizing the Audit Audit Summary Report The Audit Summary Report is an important part of the audit process. It must be detailed enough

for the company to address the gaps in their Health and Safety Management System. The

auditor may use the Audit Summary form provided or produce their own. The report should

contain the following content and be presented in the exit meeting:

Acknowledgement to the company and management for their efforts and assistance during

the audit.



A short description of the company being audited including the scope of work, size and any

other relevant information that may have affected the audit findings. Supply details of any

variances from the original scope, such as number of sites visited or interviews conducted.

Reference to some of the positive findings

Summary of the audit by element, listing existing strengths and areas for improvement

Suggestion to management to develop, implement and follow-up on the areas for

improvement in the form of a corrective action plan

Thanks to the company/management for allowing you to present the audit

Corrective Action Plan The “Corrective Action Plan” is to be completed by the company being audited (auditee) after

the auditor has presented the complete audit results.

The Corrective Action Plan describes the steps that will be taken to address the deficiencies

identified in the audit report.

The Corrective Action Plan will:

Prioritize identified deficiencies from the audit

Identify corrective action(s)/improvements required

Assign responsibility

Establish implementation/completion dates



Sample Corrective Action Plan

Health and Safety Action Plan for ____________________ Company Inc.

Item Action and Target Date

By Whom Date Completed

No H&S policy posted at head

office [1.6]

Post current copy of

H&S policy on head

office safety board

Bill Kay –

Safety Director

March 24, 20XX

Reviewed by: _____________________________ Signature: ___________________________

Name and signature (owner/senior management) Date: _______________________ Submitting the Audit Please review the following information to ensure that your internal audit is complete before

submitting it to IHSA.

1. A hard copy of your company Policy and Program, properly labelled and inserted into a

binder, must be submitted to IHSA with your internal audit. An electronic copy of your

company policy and program will not be accepted.

2. Before submitting the audit, ensure that you have made reference in the Auditor’s Notes, to the page number in your health and safety program on which the

documentation can be verified. (see Example 1)



Example 1

3. Ensure that you have highlighted the verifying information in your H&S Program

manual. (Example 2)



Example 2

4. When you are required to include copies of supplemental documents, such as completed

inspection forms or incident report forms, ensure that you have provided the audit item number on the top right hand corner of the document(s) for reference. If you are

verifying frequency, attach copies with 3 consecutive dates, e.g. three days, weeks or

months in a row. (Example 3)



Example 3

Audit Submission Checklist The Audit Submission Checklist must be completed and submitted with the audit.

Additional documentation submitted that is not listed on the checklist becomes the property

of the IHSA and will not be returned.

The documents listed in this checklist must be attached and completed properly.

IHSA reserves the right to return the audit if these requirements are not met.



Audit Submission Checklist

COR™ Audit Tool – submit a hard copy of the completed audit for review.

Copies of supplemental documents used for verification – such as completed

inspection forms, incident investigation forms, records of training etc.

Audit Information Form – this must be completed, signed by the auditor and

submitted with the audit.

Pre and Post Audit Form – ensure that both the senior management and auditor

have signed this form. Submit the completed form with the audit.

Interview Questions Document – (if used by the auditor) ensure that the correct

number of interviews have been conducted and this document is included with the

audit submission.

Observation Questions Document – (if used by the auditor) ensure this

document is included with the audit submission.

Audit Summary Report – complete and submit with the audit.

Corrective Action Plan – ensure that a plan has been developed by the employer

and is submitted with the audit.

Agreement on Confidentiality and Non-disclosure Form – Do Not submit this

form. This is required for the External Audit ONLY.



Audit Information Form

Start date of Audit: _____________________ End date: _____________________________

Type of Audit: Internal External COR™: Certification Recertification

Company Information

Company legal name: __________________________________________________________

WSIB account # _________________________

Address: _______________________________________________________________

City/Town: ______________________ Province: ________ Postal code: ___________

Key contact: ________________________ # of workers regularly employed _________

E-mail: _________________________________________________________________

Phone: ______________________________ Fax: ______________________________

Auditor Information

Name: Auditor #:

Company:

Address:

City: Prov: Postal code:

Phone: Fax:

E-mail:

Auditor signature:



Pre and Post Audit Meeting Form

Purpose and scope of audit Confidentiality

Code of conduct Audit document to be used

Minimum scores for audit Questions/concerns

Company: Auditor:

Pre-audit meeting date/time: Location:

Attendees: _________________ _________________ _________________

_________________ _________________ _________________

_________________ _________________ _________________

Name of key contact: Phone :

Audit Schedule Start date: Finish date:

Active workplace/sites: ____________________ ____________________

(highlight sites to be audited) ____________________ ____________________

____________________ ____________________

Interviews: # of management: # of workers:

Post-audit meeting date/time: Location:

Attendees: _________________ _________________ _________________

_________________ _________________ _________________

_________________ _________________ _________________

Auditor signature: Date:

Owner/senior management signature: _____________________________________________

Job title: ______________________________________ Date: __________________________



Corrective Action Plan

(photocopy this form if additional space required)

Item Action and Target Date

By Whom Date Completed

Reviewed by: _____________________________ Signature: ___________________________

Name and signature (owner/senior management) Date: _______________________



Audit Summary Report (If additional space is required use separate sheets and attach to this document)

Acknowledgement Description of Company and Scope of Audit Reference to Positive Findings Summary by Element (all 19 elements must be addressed)



Audit Summary Report (continued) Summary by Element (continued) Corrective Action Plan Closing Statement Auditor: __________________________________________ Date:_______________________ [Signature]



Agreement on Confidentiality and Non-disclosure

(To be completed for external audit only)

1. The Infrastructure Health & Safety Association agrees to hold confidential any information obtained directly or indirectly through the performance of the COR™ Audit (herein referred to as the Audit) conducted for:

_________________________________________________________________________

2. The Infrastructure Health & Safety Association further agrees not to disclose any information obtained through the Audit without express written permission of an authorized representative of:

_________________________________________________________________________

3. Notwithstanding clauses 1 and 2, the Infrastructure Health & Safety Association may use information obtained through the Audit for its own internal purposes, with the provision that no reference will be made to specific projects, employers, or workers without the expressed written permission of the parties concerned.

Agreed to by:

Name: ______________________________

[Company Representative] Title: _______________________________ Representing: ________________________

____________________________________ Signature: ___________________________ Date: _______________________________

Name: ______________________________

[IHSA Auditor] Title: _______________________________

Representing: Infrastructure Health & Safety Association

Signature: ___________________________ Date: _______________________________

Witnessed by:

______________________________________ _____________________________________ [Print Name] [Signature]

Date: _________________________________



Definitions Action Plan: A plan that identifies the tasks to be accomplished, assigns responsibilities for

completing each task, identifies the time line in which it is to be completed, and records the

actual action taken and completion dates Adequate: "adequate", in relation to a procedure, material, device, object or thing, means,

a) sufficient for both its intended and its actual use, and

b) sufficient to protect a worker from occupational illness or occupational injury, and

"adequately" has a corresponding meaning;

Auditor: An individual who has the qualifications and skill to measure health and safety

performance against a given standard. Competency is based on training through a recognized

agency, certification, and experience

Code of Practice: A selection of appropriate regulations and procedures specific to hazardous

work.

Certified Management member: A person representing management who is a member of the

Joint Health & Safety Committee at the workplace and has completed Basic Certification (Part

1) and Workplace-Specific Hazard Training (Part 2) as required by Occupational Health &

Safety Act section 9(12) and has received a record from the Ministry of Labour recognizing that

the training has been completed.

Certified Worker member: A worker who is a member of the Joint Health & Safety Committee

at the workplace and has completed Basic Certification (Part 1) and Workplace-Specific Hazard

Training (Part 2) as required by Occupational Health & Safety Act section 9(12) and has

received a record from the Ministry of Labour recognizing that the training has been completed..

Competent worker: "competent worker", in relation to specific work, means a worker who,

a) is qualified because of knowledge, training and experience to perform the work,

b) is familiar with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and with the provisions of the

regulations that apply to the work, and

c) has knowledge of all potential or actual danger to health or safety in the work;

Competent person: “competent person” means a person who,

a) is qualified because of knowledge, training and experience to organize the work and its

performance,

b) is familiar with this Act and the regulations that apply to the work, and

c) has knowledge of any potential or actual danger to health or safety in the workplace;



Confined Spaces: "confined space" means a fully or partially enclosed space,

(a) that is not both designed and constructed for continuous human occupancy, and

(b) in which atmospheric hazards may occur because of its construction, location or contents or

because of work that is done in it. Controls: Measures taken to eliminate or reduce the risks posed by a hazard.

Critical Task: A task that, if not accomplished following the specified safe work practice or safe

job procedure, results in a serious adverse effect. A job with high potential for serious loss or

injury.

Emergency Preparedness Plan: Detailed procedures for responding to potential emergencies

that may occur in the work environment or at the workplace such as, but not limited to, fire,

chemical spill, violent act, motor vehicle incident, trench collapse, structure collapse, fall

arrested, caught in or crushed, electrical explosion, weather conditions, medical emergency

(e.g., heart attack, seizure, allergic reaction, etc.).

Employees: All of the individuals employed by the company. Includes Managers, Supervisors

and workers.

Hazard: A hazard is any source of potential damage, harm or adverse health effects on

something or someone. (from CCOHS)

Hazard assessment: The process of conducting a systematic review in order to:

identify hazards associated with work activities, and

analyze or evaluate the risks(s) associated with the hazards, and

determine appropriate ways to eliminate or control the hazards

Hazardous Materials: Every controlled product is considered a hazardous material. A

controlled product means a product, material or substance determined a accordance with Part

IV of the Controlled Products Regulations (Canada) to be included in a class listed in Schedule

II of the Hazardous Products Act (Canada).

Health & Safety Policy: Written statement of an employer’s commitment to protect the health

and safety of employees at work.

Incident: An undesired, unplanned, unexpected event that results, or has the potential to

result, in physical harm to a person or damage to property (loss or no loss).

Job: A segment of work, a specific work assignment, or a set of actions required to complete a

specific work objective. An accumulation of all tasks involved at the work site.



Management – People who have some level of authority, responsibility, and accountability

within the firm. see “Senior Management”

Manager: Person who has charge of a workplace or authority over a worker. A person who

administers and/or supervises the affairs of a business, office, or organization.

Medical Monitoring (Surveillance): Mandated medical examinations for workers exposed to

occupational health hazards such as organic lead, asbestos, silica, coal dust, noise exposure,

etc. Refer to Occupational Health and Safety legislation for your jurisdiction.

Modified duties: Modified duties refer to accommodated or alternate work to be performed

while the worker is still recovering.

Near miss: An event that under different circumstances could have resulted in harm to a

person or damage to property or the environment.

No-Loss Incident: Any unplanned and unwanted event which could have resulted in damage

or injury (i.e. near miss).

Ongoing hazard assessment: The process of conducting a daily hazard assessment to

address the ever changing site activities and conditions. In circumstances where workers move

from site to site this would be done prior to work at each site. Refer to the definition of “hazard

assessment”.

Physical Agents: Sources of energy that may cause injury or illness such as, but not limited

to, noise, vibration, radiation, and temperature extremes.

Risk: Risk is the chance or probability that a person will be harmed or experience an adverse

health effect if exposed to a hazard. It may also apply to situations with property or equipment

loss. (from CCOHS)

RTW (Return to Work): Return to work, also known as work reintegration, is the process of

returning to work following a period of disability. The process starts as soon as the worker has

had a work-related injury or illness and continues throughout the worker’s recovery and period

of impairment.

Rule: A company directive that governs and controls conduct or action.

Safe Work Practice: Things one must do, or ways in which something is done at the workplace

in order to ensure worker safety. A set of positive guidelines or “Do’s and Don’ts” on how to

perform a specific task that may not always be done in a certain way.



Safe Job Procedure: The step by step instructions that must be followed in sequence in order

to complete a task or process safely. A written, specific step-by-step description of how to

complete a job safely and efficiently from start to finish.

Senior management: Managers and executives at the highest level of an organization. Senior

management has responsibility for corporate governance, corporate strategy and the interests

of all the organization’s stakeholders.

Specialized PPE: PPE other than high visibility garments, safety glasses, hard hats & CSA

approved (green patch) safety footwear (e.g., respiratory protection, fall protection equipment &

fall arrest equipment, hearing protection, gloves, skin protection, etc.)

Supervisor: Person who has charge of a workplace or authority over a worker. An individual

who directs the day-to-day work. This includes foremen, supervisors, and in some firms

superintendents.

Subcontractor: Any worker or group of workers who perform work at the project or on your

premises for which you compensate the worker or group of workers and are not compensated

for that work through your organization’s payroll.

Task: A segment of work that requires a set of specific and distinct actions for its completion.

Worker: An individual employed by a company (full-time, part-time, volunteer or on a

contractual basis). This could include owners, management, sub-contractors, and workers. For

the purposes of this audit, a worker will be defined as an individual who does not have

management or supervisor responsibilities.

WSIB: Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (Ontario’s workplace compensation system).

