b'FEATUREaresearchstudyevaluatingdatafromdecreased by 14 per cent from 2009 to 2003 to 2016. The purpose of the study2012 and 15 per cent from 2013 to 2016.was to assess the effect of COR certi-If you are in a position of hiring fication on injury rates in the provincecontractors,makesureyouunderstand bycomparingcertifiedcompaniestoyour role as a prime contractor and do similar non-certified ones.your due diligence to ensure the company Participating firms, by the very natureyou are hiring is as committed to taking ofchoosingtobecomecertified,area proactive role in promoting health and differentthannon-participatingfirms,safety as you are, Martin says. Industry the study cites. Because COR firms are different on average from non-COR firms,has shown there is a level of comfort for in that they are larger, have been in opera- those who hire COR certified firms. This tion longer and tend to come from higheris because those employers are aware of risk industriessuch as construction the safety challenges in their industry and we used a matched difference-in-differ- are elevating the consideration of health ence evaluation methodology that couldandsafetyissuestothesamelevelas identify change attributed to an interven- otherimportantaspectsofconducting tion (i.e. the COR program). business.Ultimately,thereisalevelof Oncetheauditpasses,thequalityTheresultsprovedthat,overtime,confidence knowing that COR certified assuranceprocessdoesntendthere.CORcertificationdidhaveanimpactfirms have reviewed and met the require-Although COR is valid for three years,oninjuryrates.Infact,withinthements to ensure that the safety and well-companies are required to maintain theconstruction sector alone, the short-termbeing of their workers are top-of-mind.certification by submitting annual main- disability, long-term disability and fatality rates decreased by 17 per cent in 2009FormoreinformationontheCOR tenance audits, which can be completedto 2012 and 13 per cent from 2013 toprogram,visitBCCSAswebsiteatin-house.Anexternalauditisrequired2016 for companies with COR certifica- www.bccsa.caorcontactBCCSAat in year four in order for the company totion. Additionally, the serious injury rate1-877-860-3675. complete the re-certification process. It may sound difficult but maintaining CORisrelativelyeasyifthecompany is, indeed, committed to the health and well-being of its employees. According toMenzies High Quality Martin, Efficiencies have been built into the health and safety management systemMetal Flashings over time.www.menzies-metal.com Innovative Roofing SolutionsHowever, should a certified firm expe- since 1978 rienceafailureoftheirOccupational Health&SafetyManagementSystem,Eave Flashing Roof to Wall WorkSafeBCmayinitiateaverificationFlashing audit and potentially de-certify a company. Not only can firms face hefty fines, crim- Curved FlashingsOutside Corners inalchargesandjailtimeforfailingto fulfill their obligation, they also put theRoof Gable/SundeckFlashing safety of their workers in jeopardy. W Valley FlashingAlthoughCORcertificationdoes notexemptcompaniesfrompenal- Curved FlashingsInside Corners tiesorprosecutionundertheWorkers CompensationAct,thefactthattheyareHigh quality flashings with industry leading lead timescertifiedmakesastatementabouta companys commitment to protecting the Durable up to 22 gauge material (18 gauge galvanized)well-beingofworkersandmaintaining Prepainted both sidesacultureofsafetyonjobsites.And Available in various coloursindustry research agrees.Stock profiles roll formed for consistent quality Custom flashings availableThe University of British Columbia (UBC)verifiedthatCORcertifica- 1.800.665.8840 tionismeaningfulwhenitconducted www.rcabc.org l15'