Work through each element with the responsible manager or supervisor. Mark items as complete only when documentation exists and is current. Any unchecked item is a potential finding in your external audit. A CRSP consultant can close gaps quickly — contact us for a pre-audit review.
1 Management Leadership & Organizational Commitment
Written health and safety policy signed by the most senior manager and dated within the last 12 months.
Safety goals and objectives documented with measurable targets for the current year.
Management safety responsibilities defined in writing (job descriptions or responsibility matrix).
Evidence of senior management participating in at least one safety activity in the past quarter (site walk, safety meeting, etc.).
Safety budget or resource allocation documented for the current year.
2 Hazard Identification & Assessment
Formal hazard identification procedure exists and is understood by frontline workers.
Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) or JSA completed for all high-risk tasks and updated within the past year.
Risk assessment matrix used to prioritize hazards by severity and likelihood.
Workers involved in hazard identification — evidence on file (meeting minutes, sign-in sheets).
Pre-task/pre-job hazard assessments used in the field with completed records retained.
3 Hazard Control
Hierarchy of controls applied when hazards are identified (elimination → substitution → engineering → administrative → PPE).
Control measures tracked from identification to closure with owner and due date assigned.
PPE program documented — includes selection criteria, inspection, maintenance, and replacement procedures.
Lockout/tagout procedure documented and verified through field observations.
Residual risks communicated to workers after controls are applied.
4 Ongoing Inspections
Scheduled workplace inspection program in place with defined frequency (weekly, monthly as appropriate).
Inspection records on file for the past 12 months showing items identified and corrective actions taken.
Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) members participate in inspections — records available.
Equipment-specific inspection logs maintained (vehicles, lifts, power tools, PPE).
Deficiencies tracked from inspection to corrective action closure with responsible party noted.
5 Qualifications, Orientations & Training
New worker orientation procedure documented — covers hazards, rights, emergency procedures, and JHSC contacts.
Training matrix maintained showing required training per job role and current status of each worker.
Training records (certificates, sign-in sheets) retained on file for all required programs (WHMIS, WAH, First Aid, etc.).
Supervisor competency verified — supervisors trained on their legal obligations under OHSA.
Refresher training scheduled and tracked for programs with expiry dates.
6 Emergency Response
Written emergency response plan (ERP) in place covering fire, medical, spill, and evacuation scenarios.
Emergency contacts and muster points posted at each worksite and communicated to all workers.
Emergency drills conducted at required frequency — records on file with participation numbers.
First aid equipment inspected regularly — inspection logs current.
ERP reviewed and updated after any incident or significant change to operations.
7 Incident Investigation
Incident investigation procedure exists — covers injuries, near misses, property damage, and environmental incidents.
All reportable incidents investigated within required timeframes (24 hrs for serious, 48 hrs for minor).
Root cause analysis methodology used — not just immediate cause identified.
Corrective actions from investigations tracked to closure with responsible party and due date.
Investigation findings communicated to workers to prevent recurrence.
WSIB Form 7 and MOL reporting obligations met for all applicable incidents.
8 Program Administration
Safety program document control system in place — documents have version numbers and review dates.
Safety statistics tracked (frequency rates, severity rates, near misses) and reviewed by management quarterly.
Safety program reviewed annually — review meeting documented with outcomes.
Safety communications system in place — toolbox talks, safety bulletins, or safety meetings documented.
9 Occupational Health
WHMIS 2015 program implemented — SDS inventory current, labels compliant, training records on file.
Exposure monitoring conducted or documented rationale for why monitoring is not required.
Return-to-work / modified duty program documented and communicated to workers.
Musculoskeletal injury prevention addressed in relevant JHAs and training programs.
10 Contractor Management
Contractor pre-qualification process documented — includes safety performance criteria.
Contractor orientation process in place — contractors receive site-specific hazard information.
Contract documentation includes safety requirements and compliance expectations.
Contractor safety performance monitored on site — records of observation or audits retained.
11 Worker Participation
Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) or Health and Safety Representative in place as required.
JHSC meeting minutes on file for past 12 months — recommendations tracked to resolution.
Workers aware of their right to refuse unsafe work — training and posting documented.
Safety suggestions or concerns system in place — evidence of management response.
12 Purchasing Controls
Purchasing procedure includes safety review for new equipment, chemicals, and materials.
SDS obtained and communicated to workers before new hazardous materials are put into use.
Equipment received includes applicable safety documentation and operator training plan.
13 Program Review
Annual formal program review completed and documented — covers all 13 elements.
Review includes incident trend analysis and comparison to safety objectives.
Action plan produced from review with responsible parties and timelines assigned.
Program improvements from previous year's action plan verified as completed.
To achieve COR certification through IHSA in Ontario, your external audit must score 80% overall with no element below 50%. If any element on this checklist has more than half the items unchecked, prioritize that element before scheduling your external audit.
Gap Identified? We Can Fix It Before Your Audit.
Our CRSP Lead Auditors close documentation gaps, build missing program elements, and coach your JHSC on what auditors actually look for. Most Ontario clients go from 60% to audit-ready in 6–8 weeks.