Three-Site Warehouse OH&S Compliance Review and COR Success
Case Study · Anonymous Alberta Warehouse Employer
Three-Site Warehouse OH&S Compliance Review and COR Success
How one Alberta employer responded to OHS orders, rebuilt an outdated safety program and successfully achieved COR after six months of focused implementation support.
The situation
OHS orders exposed deeper weaknesses in the safety system
The client operated three warehouse locations in Alberta. Following a visit from Alberta OHS, the employer received several orders requiring corrective action.
Management also wanted to grow the business and obtain COR. However, the company needed to understand whether its existing health and safety management system reflected the work being performed and whether it could withstand a COR audit.
The client needed more than a basic workplace inspection. It needed an objective assessment of its documents, workplace practices and overall readiness.
What we found
The program existed on paper but was not being actively used
Outdated safety manual
The manual had not been updated in approximately eight years and no longer provided a reliable foundation for the current operation.
Limited implementation
The manual was not being regularly read, understood or consistently implemented by the people responsible for the work.
Emergency planning gaps
The emergency response plan was inadequate and required significant improvement.
Not ready for a COR audit
Regulatory, documentation and implementation gaps meant the safety system was not ready to pass a COR audit.
Our assessment
A mock COR audit across all three locations
Calgary Safety Consultants completed a mock COR audit using the same three forms of evidence considered during a COR audit:
Documentation
We reviewed the safety manual, procedures, records and other evidence supporting the health and safety management system.
Interviews
We spoke with appropriate workplace representatives to understand awareness, responsibilities and how the program was being applied.
Observations
We reviewed workplace conditions and safety practices at the three warehouse locations.
This approach allowed us to compare what the program said should happen with what was actually happening in the workplace.
The report
Clear findings, full recommendations and an implementation plan
The client received a comprehensive report based on the document review, interviews and workplace observations.
The report identified what had been observed, where the program was not meeting regulatory or COR expectations, why the significant findings mattered and what needed to be corrected.
It also included an implementation plan that organized the work into practical priorities. This gave management a new perspective, a clearer understanding of its responsibilities and a renewed sense of urgency.
A report was only the beginning
Documents alone would not address the findings. The employer needed sustained implementation involving management, supervisors and workers.
Implementation support
Six months of practical work to rebuild the program
Calgary Safety Consultants continued working with the client for approximately six months following the assessment.
A major part of the work involved developing a new safety manual that reflected the company’s current operations, workplace hazards and responsibilities. The new program provided a stronger foundation for training and helped move the company away from outdated paperwork toward a system people could understand and use.
During this period, the employer improved its training, clarified expectations, strengthened program implementation and developed a more positive workplace safety culture.
The result
The client successfully achieved COR
Calgary Safety Consultants had performed substantial program-development and implementation work to help the employer prepare for certification. For that reason, we stepped back from the certification audit so the client could select an independent external auditor.
The external auditor completed the certification audit, and the employer was successful in obtaining COR.
This separation protected the independence of the audit while allowing the preparation and implementation work to be tested objectively.
At the one-year follow-up, we observed several improvements and confirmed that the original assessment and implementation work had placed the business on a stronger path.
Client feedback
“The review gave us a clear understanding of the gaps in our safety program and a practical plan for moving forward. The updated program, training and follow-up support helped us make meaningful improvements and prepare for an independent COR audit.”Anonymous warehouse employer — feedback paraphrased to protect confidentiality
Related support
Is your safety program ready for scrutiny?
An outdated manual, incomplete records or inconsistent workplace practices can create problems during an OHS inspection, client review or COR audit. We can help you identify the gaps and build a practical implementation plan.
This case study describes the circumstances and outcome of one engagement. Results depend on the employer’s starting point, implementation and certification audit. No consultant can guarantee COR or SECOR.