Your ACSA’s Response to COVID-19

Your ACSA has been carefully managing and adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are dedicated to helping our stakeholders do the same.

We will be updating this page with information on ACSA training, COR/SECOR processes, ACSA services and resources and with what we are doing to address operational changes resulting from COVID-19.

This page has been developed for the purpose of sharing general information gathered from a variety of sources.  The resources and information found here are not a definitive, up-to-date guide to complying with the orders of Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health or navigating the multiple layers of applicable legislation, regulations and directives.  The ACSA does not guarantee the accuracy of, nor assume liability for, the information presented here.

As the COVID-19 pandemic and our governments’ response to it evolves very quickly, individual companies should continuously monitor the landscape and evaluate their work sites on a case-by-case basis when determining what actions to take to protect their employees and the public from the spread of COVID-19.

Further guidance and recommendations can also be sought directly from Alberta Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and Alberta Health Services (AHS).

Stay connected with us.

Released on January 1, 2022

Partnerships in Injury Reduction (PIR) of Alberta Labour and Immigration provided direction on COR auditing requirements for 2022.

Effective until Dec. 31, 2022: Standard COR (COVID-19 pandemic requirements):

  • External audits conducted by documentation (minimum six months documentation) and interviews (conducted remotely) = three-year COR (overall 80 percent minimum to meet standard).
  • Internal audits conducted by documentation (minimum six months documentation) and interviews (conducted remotely) = will maintain your COR for 2022 (overall 60 percent minimum to meet standard).
  • Internal COR Action Plans = will maintain your COR for 2022 (if eligible).
    It is expected that interviews be conducted remotely using web-based platforms (for example, Microsoft Teams, Skype, Zoom, etc.) or by telephone.

To request your company’s COR audit, please click here.

Small Employer Certification of Recognition (SECOR)

  • Certification evaluations (minimum six months documentation) = three-year SECOR (overall 80 percent minimum – no less than 50 percent in each element to meet standard).
  • Maintenance evaluations (minimum six months documentation) = will maintain your SECOR for 2022 (overall 60 percent minimum to meet standard).

Released on November 20, 2020

Partnerships in Injury Reduction (Partnerships or PIR) of Alberta Labour and Immigration has provided direction on COR auditing requirements for 2021.

Effective from January 1 to December 31, 2021: 

  • External Audits conducted documentation-only = one-year COR
  • External Audits conducted by documentation and interviews (conducted remotely) = three-year COR

Both auditing options will be eligible for PIR refunds in 2021.

It is expected that interviews be conducted remotely using web-based platforms (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Skype, Zoom, etc.) or by telephone.

All 2021 audits will need to be requested on ACSA’s eAudit platform. You can request your External Certification/Re-Certification audits now. If you are due for an Internal COR Maintenance audit, please contact our COR Department to get your reference number. We will share more information on internal auditing in 2021 as it becomes available.

We are here to help you. Should you have questions or concerns about the requirements for maintaining your COR, we encourage you to reach out to us by email at COR@youracsa.ca or phone at 1-800-661-ACSA (2272).

Released on August 27, 2020

Important Changes to the COR Program: 2020 Documentation-Only Recertifications Now Eligible for Three-Year COR

Your ACSA is pleased to share some important changes to the COR Program to help our members during this challenging year.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, your ACSA converted all certification/re-certification audits requested since March 2020 to documentation-only audits that resulted in a one (1) year COR being issued. We are now able to issue successful documentation-only audits for full three (3) year COR. Please see the eligibility criteria below.

How does this change affect you?

  • Already Issued a One (1) Year COR for a 2020 Documentation-Only Re-Certification Audit

The one (1) year COR that was issued to you for your 2020 documentation-only re-certification audit is being converted to a three (3) year COR. Your ACSA is amending your certificate to reflect this change. We will issue your three (3) year certificate shortly. Your current one (1) year COR remains valid until you receive your three (3) year certificate.

  • One (1) Year Documentation-Only Re-certification Audit Completed or In-Progress

If your company has already completed a documentation-only re-certification audit, or are in the process of requesting or conducting your re-certification audit, your ACSA will convert it to the three (3) year COR option. Employers will be notified of the new three (3) year expiry date. See below for the Eligibility Requirements.

This change is retroactive to March 17, 2020—commencement of the one-year documentation-only audit requirement—and will be in effect until December 31, 2020.

  • COR Expiring September to December 31, 2020

All eligible documentation-only re-certification audits that are approved before their respective expiration dates will be issued a three (3) year COR.

Should you have any questions, please contact our COR department at 1-800-661-ACSA (2272) or COR@youracsa.ca.

*ELIGIBILITY: The three (3) year option is NOT available to companies whose COR has lapsed or that are new to the COR Program.

Released on July 21, 2020

COR Reminder: Be Proactive and Avoid Delays by Setting Up Your Company’s Audit Now

Your ACSA is encouraging all companies requiring a certification or re-certification (external) audit for 2020 to be proactive and request your audits now.

Audits are set up on a first-come, first-served basis. We have peer auditors on standby ready to conduct audits virtually. We strongly suggest that you request your audit on the ACSA eAudit system soon to avoid delays in securing a peer auditor and to beat the year-end rush.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all Certifying Partners are accepting documentation-only audits for the remainder of 2020.

Documentation-only audits can be done by any auditor, outside of your geographical location, virtually and electronically. It takes less time than a full audit, does not require in-person interviews or on-site observations, and requires only three (3) months of documentation.

Not ready for your audit? Don’t worry―we can schedule an auditor now to conduct your audit when it’s convenient for you. Request your audit on our eAudit system immediately to ensure you don’t run out of time.

Should you have questions or would like to discuss your unique situation, please contact us by email at COR@youracsa.ca.

Released on April 23, 2020

Train-the-Trainer Certification Extensions

Your ACSA is granting a three-month extension on the Flagger Train-the-Trainer certification, Transportation of Dangerous Goods Train-the-Trainer certification, and Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) 2015 Train-the-Trainer certification expiring between March 17 and June 30, 2020.

For more information, please contact ACSA’s Client Services  by email at info@youracsa.ca or phone 1-800-661-ACSA (2272).

Released on April 3, 2020

Three-Month Extension for SECOR Companies

Over the last few weeks, your ACSA has been working closely with Partnerships in Injury Reduction (PIR) to establish viable options for companies that are facing SECOR expiry dates during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Your ACSA is here to help you through these challenging times. We recognize that you may not be able to conduct your SECOR evaluation currently. For companies that have their SECOR expiring between March 17 and June 30, 2020, your ACSA and PIR can provide a three-month SECOR extension.

We recognize that every situation is unique, and we encourage you to contact our COR department at COR@youracsa.ca or 1-800-661-2272 to learn more about your options.

Released on April 3, 2020

Three-Month Extension for COR Companies

Over the last few weeks, your ACSA has been working closely with Partnerships in Injury Reduction (PIR) to establish viable options for companies that are facing COR expiry dates during the COVID-19 pandemic.

To do our part in helping to flatten the curve, one measure your ACSA implemented is Documentation Only (Doc Only) audits.

There are many benefits to companies in completing Doc Only audits currently. Doc Only audits:

  • require no travel
  • require no in-person observations and interviews
  • take less time to complete than a full audit
  • will maintain your auditor status for 2020
  • allow you to continue auditing during your peak period
  • allow you to reciprocate audit days during this slower period
  • allow you to maintain eligibility for PIR rebates for 2020
  • can provide an increase in auditor availability because auditors can work remotely (e.g., an auditor in Peace River can do an audit for a company in Medicine Hat)

Your ACSA is here to help you through these challenging times. For companies that have their COR expiring between March 17 and June 30, 2020, and may not be able to conduct a Doc Only audit, your ACSA and PIR can provide a three-month COR extension.

We recognize that every situation is unique, and we encourage you to contact our COR department at COR@youracsa.ca or 1-800-661-2272 to learn more about your options.

Released on March 25, 2020

Your ACSA is here to help you navigate through your auditing process during the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ve compiled an Auditing During COVID-19 – Frequently Asked Questions document for your convenience.

Should you have further questions, please contact our COR Department at COR@youracsa.ca or 1-800-661-ACSA (2272).

Released on March 17, 2020

COR, SECOR, and TLC Update

To ease the burden for our Member companies and to help flatten the curve for COVID-19, Your ACSA is implementing the following changes to our COR, SECOR and TLC processes.

  • We are temporarily waiving your staff course requirements for COR, SECOR, and TLC. The remaining training requirement is that a certified auditor (peer or consultant) must conduct the audit for COR purposes.
  •  Documentation Only audits are now only being accepted. These audits can be done remotely and electronically. For companies who currently have audits active and in-progress, your ACSA will convert them to Documentation Only for you. Our staff will convert the active and in-progress audits to Documentation Only this week. To submit your audit request, please use our eAudit tool.
  • We are no longer accepting paper submissions of the SECOR evaluation tool or TLC applications. Please follow the instructions on our SECOR or TLC webpages, and send your submission to COR@youracsa.ca.

Our professional Client Services staff is happy to assist you in any way you need to navigate these changing times. There will be no interruption to the COR services we provide.

If you have any questions, concerns or would like to discuss your unique situation, please email COR@youracsa.ca.

Released on March 13, 2020

The Alberta Construction Safety Association (ACSA) is taking precautions to help minimize exposures for our stakeholders relating to the impact of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus).

We have established a dedicated team to proactively monitor and assess the ongoing effects of COVID-19 on our business. We are following guidelines from Alberta Health Services, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and the World Health Organization to ensure the procedures we are implementing are appropriate and timely.

Given the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation, your ACSA is suspending all in-classroom training effective Monday, March 16, until further notice.

To do our part in helping slow the spread of COVID-19, we will temporarily close our offices to the general public as of Monday, March 16. Our professional staff will continue to work onsite at our facilities providing quality support and assistance to our stakeholders by email and phone.

Email: info@youracsa.ca
Toll-free: 1-800-661-ACSA (2272)

Disclaimer 

The use of this COVID-19 Information Page is at the user’s sole risk, regardless of any fault or negligence of the ACSA.  The resource documents and information reproduced here are not a definitive, up-to-date guide to complying with the orders of Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health or navigating the multiple layers of applicable legislation, regulations and directives.  All applicable legislative provisions and regulatory orders will govern in the event of conflict with any information found on this COVID-19 Information Page, and the ACSA does not guarantee the accuracy of, nor assume liability for, the documents and information published here.

Copyright ©  This material is not to be used, reproduced, stored or transmitted for commercial purposes without prior written permission from the author.