Programs

Certificate of Recognition (COR™)

The Heavy Construction Safety Association of Saskatchewan Inc. has a Certificate of Recognition (COR™) which is an occupational health and safety program that meets the Canadian Federation of Construction Safety Associations (CFCSA) national standards. COR™ is designed to provide companies with 10 or more employees, with the education and tools needed to develop an effective health and safety system. Certification proves that the company has met a minimum standard for a safety program.

To get started, at least one full-time employee must take the required four COR™ courses. These courses are usually scheduled over a 4-day span and are as follows:

• WHMIS Train the Trainer GHS
• Safety Excellence Leadership
• Principles of Health & Safety Management
• Auditor Training

*All courses with an expiry date must be refreshed or re-taken to be current and non-expiry training must be within 10 years. Any training more than 10 years old must be re-taken; no exceptions.

Once training is complete, the individual(s) are to design their Safety Program and document it in their Safety Manual. Upon complete implementation of the Safety Program, the individual(s) will conduct a baseline audit for the company that must achieve a score of 80% or higher, with a minimum of 50% in each element. Submit the passing baseline audit along with a formal written request for an external audit to HCSAS.

Once the baseline audit has been reviewed and all standards have been met, an HCSAS Safety Consultant will be assigned to perform an external audit. The external audit must be passing for a Certificate of Recognition (COR™) to be awarded.

To maintain your COR™ Certificate, a company will have to:

Year 1: Conduct and pass an Internal Audit.

Year 2: Conduct and pass an Internal Audit.

Year 3: Pass External Audit conducted by HCSAS.

Please call 306-585-3060 or email info@hcsas.sk.ca for more information.

 COR™ Reciprocity (Bid Letter)

Contractors with a valid Certificate of Recognition (COR™), and a valid Letter of Good Standing from the provincial construction safety association, whom is a member of the CFCSA; AND do not have a base of operation in Saskatchewan; AND/OR do not have payroll through Saskatchewan WCB, may be eligible to apply for a reciprocity letter for bidding purposes with the HCSAS. Reciprocity is meant for companies that will only, on occasion work, or desire to work in Saskatchewan

Contractors seeking HCSAS Reciprocity must:

• Complete the application form, and HCSAS Audit Elements 13 & 14.
• Provide a valid Letter of Good Standing from their provincial construction safety association. The provincial association must be a member of the CFCSA.
• Provide a valid clearance letter from their provincial Workers Compensation Board.
• Pay applicable administrative fee (non-refundable).
• If worksites are awarded in Saskatchewan, the HCSAS must be notified and a spot audit must be performed. Sufficient time must be given for notification of Saskatchewan worksite location(s) for scheduling.

Please direct all inquiries and requests for reciprocity application forms to the office at 306-585-3060.

COR™ Equivalency

Contractors with a valid Certificate of Recognition (COR™), and a valid Letter of Good Standing from their provincial construction safety association, whom is a member of the CFCSA, may be eligible for an Equivalency for the purpose of obtaining full COR™ with the HCSAS. COR™ Equivalency is for out of province companies that are looking to regularly work in Saskatchewan, or have established a base of operations in Saskatchewan.

Contractors seeking HCSAS COR™ Equivalency must:

• Completed application form must be submitted.
• Pay applicable administration fee (non-refundable).

Once qualified, a spot audit must be performed on Saskatchewan worksite location(s).  Sufficient time must be given for notification for scheduling.

Please direct all inquiries, and requests for equivalency application forms to the office  at 306-585-3060.

As a member of the Canadian Federation of Construction Safety Associations (CFCSA), HCSAS has a signed agreement for temporary COR reciprocity  between all of the provincial, Yukon and Northwest territory construction safety associations. Certified companies must meet reciprocity requirements to qualify for a bid letter.

National Construction Safety Officer (NCSO)

The National Construction Safety Officer (NCSO) designation is designed to give recognition to an individual who has attained a minimum standard in their safety knowledge and experience. Effective January 1, 2016, the CSO designation name has been changed to NCSO in accordance with the Canadian Federation of Construction Safety Associations (CFCSA) to meet the national standard.

To qualify for the HCSAS NCSO designation:

• The applicant will have to complete all mandatory courses plus any two electives.
• Fill out and submit HCSAS NCSO application, include copies of certification.
• The applicant must have a minimum of three (3) years experience in the heavy civil construction/safety industry.
  • This is done by providing letter(s) from employer(s) stating the term of employment and job duties.
  • Proof of basic proficiency (toolbox meetings, investigations, near misses/incidents, accidents and/or inspections) must be included with application.
• Applicants will be required to write the HCSAS NCSO Qualifying Exam. After passing the NCSO exam, an NCSO Code of Ethics must be agreed to (signed, dated, with the original copy being submitted to the office) prior to the NCSO status being issued.

The required courses for the HCSAS NCSO designation are as follows:

Mandatory Training:

• WHMIS Train the Trainer GHS
• Safety Excellence Leadership
• Principles of Health & Safety Management
• HCSAS Safety Auditor Training
• Confined Space Rescue Level 2
• Ground Disturbance Level 2
• Standard First Aid Level A, B, or C (St. John Ambulance and Canadian Red Cross accepted)
• Supervisor Training in Accident Reduction Techniques (START)

Electives (must have at least two):

• Hoisting & Rigging Safety
• Fire Extinguisher Train-the-Trainer
• Flag Person Instructor
• Powered Mobile Equipment Evaluator

*Online courses are not acceptable for NCSO applications as they are viewed as introductory level training.

Please note that since COVID-19, there are more classes offered as “Instructor-Led Virtual Online”, these ARE acceptable .

*All courses with an expiry date must be refreshed or re-taken to be current and non-expiry training must be within 10 years. Any training more than 10 years old must be re-taken; no exceptions.

To request an NCSO Application Form, email brooke@hcsas.sk.ca

*Application fees may apply.*

APPLY BY: January 31, 2022

EXAM DATE: February 28, 2022