Energy Safety Canada provides safety training to essential workers and it is important that we continue to serve industry by staying open and accessible. Throughout the pandemic, we have taken a prudent approach to ensure a safe environment.

We are following all provincial guidelines and have numerous safeguards in place to ensure a safe environment:

• Masks are mandatory at all ESC locations and must be worn at all times.
• Students may remove their masks during practical course components and as directed by the instructor.
• Limiting the number of people in the building to ensure physical distancing.
• Students should arrive no earlier than 15 minutes before start of class.
• Active daily screening questionnaire before classes begin.
• Increased the frequency of cleaning and sanitizing, including classroom equipment.
• Hand sanitizing stations throughout the building.
• Physical distancing of two metres maintained throughout the building.
• Limited use of the lunchroom area. Alternative options include outdoor tables and several restaurants nearby that offer take-out and drive-through service.

Anyone who is feeling unwell is asked to stay home and we will assist with re-scheduling your course. Please take the Government of Alberta COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool or provincial self assessment to determine whether you need to be tested for COVID-19.

Your health and safety is our priority and we look forward to continuing to serve you.

Energy Safety Canada recognizes the challenges facing both Auditors and Employers from the impacts of COVID-19. Normal business has been significantly impacted globally as things continue to move fast and change quickly.

We continue to work with our stakeholders and have discussions with Provincial Governments to discuss solutions for Auditors and COR Holders. The COVID-19 Auditing Guidelines  will assist in clarifying auditing in the various provinces during COVID-19.

Update to Alberta COR program

• Audit Process Change – Alberta Documentation Only Audits
  Effective March 17, 2020, documentation only audits will be accepted for COR certification, maintenance or recertification purposes. This will be in effect until December 31, 2020
  • •  Prior permission to conduct documentation only audits is not required.
    • Auditors are encouraged to conduct documentation only audits remotely. Interview and observation questions must be scored as “non-applicable.”
    • The passing score for documentation-only certification audits will be 80 per cent overall and will result in a one-year COR.
    • The passing score for documentation-only maintenance audits will be 60 per cent overall and will be accepted for COR maintenance purposes in 2020.
    • For audits where data gathering was completed prior to March 17, standard processes apply.
      
      
• Auditor Candidates
  All auditor candidates, as of March 17, 2020, will be granted an extension period to complete their qualification audits until December 31, 2020.

Update to BC COR Program

The following information is for employers who hold a BC Certificate of Recognition (COR).

• BC Audit in Progress
  Employers and Auditors are required to have a COVID-19 Safety Plan in place to reduce the risk.  All audits in progress should follow good hygiene practices (e.g. physical distancing) and continue as they normally would. Some employers may be scaling back operations, and auditors need to be flexible in their ability to conduct observations and interviews.
  
  
• BC CORs Expiring Between September 1 and December 31, 2020
  Currently, there are no program changes. All audits must include Documentation review, Interviews and Observations.
  
  
• Brand New Certification BC Audits
  Audits that cannot be conducted safely at this time should be deferred until COR
  certification requirements can be satisfied.

The Safety Audits and Certification team is available to answer your questions: email CORInfo@EnergySafetyCanada.com or call 1 800 667 5557 ext. 3.