CALGARY, Alta. — Great West Kenworth has received the Certificate of Recognition (COR) in safety which is issued to employers who develop and implement health and safety programs that meet established standards. Great West became one of the first heavy-duty truck dealerships in Alberta to receive the honours in November.

Standards for COR eligibility include: employer policy and management commitment; worker competency and training; hazard identification; hazard control measures; inspection programs; incident reporting and investigation; emergency response planning; and program administration.

“Maintenance of quality health and safety programs will better enable a company to reduce workplace injuries, keep their employees safe, improve morale and practice due diligence,” Great West officials said in a release.

Achieving and maintaining a valid COR is required for earning refunds from the Workers’ Compensation Board, if registered in the WCB Partners in Injury Reduction (PIR) program. Enrolment gives companies huge savings in premiums and by reducing injuries in the work place.

“Receiving the COR was a challenging process, met with obstacles and some ‘old school’ attitudes, but after only a year of implementing a full health and safety program, 95% of employees feel the health and safety programs makes the company a better and safer place to work,” Great West officials said.

Great West Kenworth has dealerships in Calgary, Red Deer, Medicine Hat, Grande Prairie and Lethbridge.