01-30_GENERALS_Fall25_PT - Flipbook - Page 21
sight mechanisms. Think of Microsoft Windows—it is an operating
system. It integrates many programs, settings, and processes into one
functional whole. A safety management system works the same way.
A program is a component within the system—fall protection,
con昀椀ned space, or supervisor training. Programs are nested systems;
they operate inside the larger system like apps.
An audit is a feedback loop and evaluation tool. It measures
whether the system and programs are working as intended. Audits
shape behavior by what they ask — and by what they don’t. Failures
come when companies design safety to pass audits rather than
address real risks.
reflect how operations actually run. ISO requires organizations
to establish performance evaluation methods aligned with legal
requirements and the standard’s principles.
For business owners, this 昀氀exibility is a major advantage. ISO
scales seamlessly—from a small contractor to a multinational—and carries recognition worldwide. But 昀氀exibility also means
accountability. Passing an audit is not enough. The system must be
real, implemented, and defensible. Done well, ISO becomes a living
structure that grows with the business. Done poorly, it is nothing
more than a certi昀椀cate on the wall, o昀昀ering no real protection.
COR 2020: The Audit Lens
A common mistake is building safety programs purely to satisfy an
audit or the standards questions, or to obtain a certificate to bid.
The real test comes during a Ministry of Labour investigation. At
that point, the question will not be “Do you have a certificate?” but
“Was your system functioning to protect workers and demonstrate
due diligence?”
If there is a gap between audit-ready documents and day-to-day
practice, liability falls squarely on the employer. Certi昀椀cates may
impress clients, but they do not always protect in a courtroom—or
on a jobsite.
The Risk of Designing to an Audit or a Standard
COR 2020 has clear strengths. It provides a dedicated static audit
that sets a consistent benchmark across industries. For construction and high-risk sectors, it offers structure, credibility, and discipline.
Yet, COR is fundamentally audit-driven. That means the same
checklist of questions gets applied whether you’re a 昀椀ve-person
contractor or a national builder. It may win you contracts, but it
won’t necessarily uncover the risks unique to your business. The
danger is simple: you may think you’re covered, while liability is
quietly building in the background.
Procurement and Duty of Care
ISO 45001: Flexibility and Responsibility
ISO 45001:2018 takes a different approach. Instead of prescribing
a fixed audit template, it requires employers to understand their
own business—define risks, set objectives, and build controls that
Procurement departments often think of themselves as neutral gatekeepers — setting fair conditions and applying consistent standards.
But when they mandate a single accreditation framework, they step
beyond purchasing into prescribing how safety must be managed.
For Your Legal Needs
The Right Fit Matters
Our areas of expertise include:
Lien, Trust, Bond Claims • Construction Contracts •
Deficiency, Delay & Loss Productivity Claims •
ADR, Interim Binding Adjudication & Litigation of
Construction Disputes • Labour Relations •
Occupational Health & Safety • WSIB
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