Why Contractor Prequalification Is Essential to Achieving and Maintaining COR® Certification

By Peter Spence, VP of Sales & Partnerships, AuditSoft

Peter has 10+ years of experience in the regulatory technology and safety & compliance industry. He was involved in the early rollout of the Certificate Of Recognition (COR®) program in Ontario and has completed the IHSA COR® Internal Auditor and the Basic Auditing Principles courses. Prior to AuditSoft, Peter worked for the leading provider of global legal and regulatory compliance content, consulting Fortune 500 companies and supporting their rollout of global corporate compliance and auditing programs. Connect with Peter on LinkedIn.

Achieving a Certificate of Recognition (COR®) is a major milestone for any company committed to safety in Canada’s construction and industrial sectors. It signals that your health and safety management system meets a nationally recognized standard—and it often opens doors to new business opportunities with public and private sector clients.

But there’s one critical area that’s often overlooked in COR® preparation and audits: contractor prequalification and management.

Prequalification Is Embedded in COR®—Even If It’s Not Always a Standalone Element Like in Ontario

In provinces like Alberta, COR® doesn’t have a specific element titled “contractor management,” but its principles are woven throughout the program. Hiring and overseeing contractors introduces real risk—and COR® auditors know it. Several elements within COR® require companies to demonstrate that they have effective systems in place to manage third-party workers on site.

For example:

• Hazard Assessment and Control: Contractors introduce new work scopes, equipment, and exposures. If you’re not assessing and verifying their safety practices up front, you’re likely missing key hazards—and failing to demonstrate due diligence.
• Safe Work Practices: Contractors must be held to the same safety standards as internal staff. Prequalification helps ensure alignment before work begins, and contractor management helps sustain it.
• Qualifications, Orientation, and Training: COR® requires proof that everyone on site is trained and competent. A proper contractor management system includes collecting and verifying certifications, orientations, and competency records for every subtrade.
• System Administration: Your safety program must be actively managed and continuously improved. Contractor performance tracking, incident follow-up, and audit readiness all play a role here.

A False Sense of Security: The Procurement Disconnect

In many organizations, contractor selection happens through procurement or legal departments. While these teams may secure competitive bids and insurance certificates, they often don’t carry out safety-specific verification or monitor compliance after the contract is awarded. This creates a gap in your COR® compliance. One that an auditor will flag if contractors are not held to the same standard as employees.

Relying on procurement checkboxes without ongoing contractor oversight can lead to liability issues, non-compliance findings, or worse—serious incidents.

Prequalifying Contractors = Proactive Risk Control

Proper contractor prequalification isn’t about limiting competition. It’s about ensuring a baseline of safety expectations that are applied consistently across all vendors and subtrades. By requiring all contractors to submit the same documentation and answer the same safety questions, you’re creating a level playing field and reducing your organizational risk.

Modern contractor management platforms can support this process by:

• Collecting and verifying safety documents
• Flagging expiring certifications
• Scoring contractors on compliance
• Tracking ongoing performance across projects

A Strong Contractor Management Program Helps You Pass—and Keep—COR®

Whether you’re working toward your first COR® audit or renewing your certification, the role of contractors cannot be ignored. The more subcontractors you work with, the greater the risk, and the more important it is to have a structured system for vetting, onboarding, and monitoring them.

By integrating contractor prequalification into your COR® strategy, you’re not just checking a box; you’re building a more resilient and defensible safety program.

Looking to Strengthen Your Contractor Management Approach?

Platforms like ContractorXchange are built specifically for Canadian compliance standards and can help your organization align with COR® requirements. From real-time document verification to automated contractor scoring, it’s a purpose-built tool designed to keep you compliant, your job sites safe, and your reputation intact.