When Zehr Group, a leader in construction and property management in Ontario, set out to achieve COR certification, they weren’t just aiming to check a box—they wanted to build a true culture of safety. That meant transforming how safety documentation was handled across job sites, simplifying compliance, and making it easier for both workers and auditors to do their jobs. With the right tools and mindset, here’s what they achieved:
- ✅ Streamlined safety documentation
- ✅ Cut internal audit preparation time from 3 months to 2 weeks
- ✅ Increased compliance form submissions by 4x
- ✅ Achieved COR Certification
Building a Safety Culture That Works
When Zehr Group set out to achieve COR (Certificate of Recognition) certification, Health and Safety Manager Ryan Schaefer knew they had to do it the right way.
“I don’t want us just going through the motions. I want us really doing the safety processes.”
COR certification ensures that companies don’t just talk about safety—they implement it through structured policies, on-site procedures, and most of all, documentation. But for Ryan, the challenge wasn’t just meeting COR’s requirements. It was making sure safety became part of the company’s culture.
The Challenge: Managing Safety Documentation at Scale
- Procore isn’t built for safety that meets COR requirements
- Finding safety docs was a hassle – audits took way longer than they should.
- Workers struggled with the process – too many steps that made it hard to keep up.
Before Corfix, Zehr Group used Procore for contract and construction management, but Ryan needed a dedicated safety solution to manage the documentation-heavy requirements of COR.
“We still use Procore, but it’s more of a contract management or construction management software than it is safety software.”
With COR requiring detailed records of hazard assessments, toolbox talks, and compliance forms, Ryan found that retrieving documents for audits was time-consuming and inefficient.
“It probably took me three months to do something I could have done in maybe two weeks with Corfix, maybe even less.”
Workers also struggled with documentation processes that required multiple steps. Ryan knew there had to be a better way to handle field-first safety while keeping Procore for broader project management.
The Solution: Corfix + Procore = A Seamless Safety System
- Streamlined safety without complexity
- Maintained their construction management system by integrating Procore with Corfix
- Accessible to both workers and subcontractors without the extra fee
The tipping point came when Ryan pitched Corfix to Zehr’s leadership. He had already been using multiple software tools to manage safety documentation, worker certifications, and SDS sheets. But when he did the math, it was clear: “I traded $18,000 worth of software for seven.”
With Corfix, Zehr streamlined safety processes without adding extra complexity. It seamlessly handled field-level safety documentation, compliance tracking, and worker management, while continuing to integrate with Procore for broader project oversight.
“The QR codes are great. It’s easy, it’s on their phone, it’s so simple. And I think the biggest bonus is not having to pay extra for your subcontractors to use it.”
This made safety documentation accessible and effortless for workers and subcontractors, ensuring compliance without creating administrative headaches.
The Results: Faster Audits, Higher Compliance, and COR Success
- Increased COR audit results by 37% points with the help of Corfix
- Increased form submissions by 380% in less than a year
- Simple preparation process for external audits
With Corfix, Zehr saw immediate improvements in compliance and efficiency, specifically surrounding form submissions: “Last summer, we’d get maybe eight field-level hazard assessments in a week. Now it’s 31. It jumped.”
This increase in documentation submission played a huge role in improving Zehr’s COR audit scores. Their first internal audit came back at 44%, a wake-up call that more work was needed. But instead of backing down, Ryan and his team doubled down on improving processes. “Okay, that sucks, but let’s go get better.”
By refining policies, improving documentation, and fully utilizing Corfix, Zehr jumped from 44% to 81% on their next internal audit. “That was a huge jump. It showed my bosses that this is actually working.”
When it came time for the external audit, Zehr was ready. The preparation paid off.
“She [the auditor] mailed it in to her auditor. I said, ‘How do you think we did?’ And she’s like, ‘I can’t tell you either way, but I didn’t ask you for any more things, so that should give you a good hint.’”
One week later, Zehr got the official word: they passed.
Why Documentation Matters—Beyond COR Compliance
One of the biggest complaints about COR is how documentation-heavy it is. But Ryan’s external auditor gave him a piece of advice that completely reframed his perspective: “A lot of people complain about how documentation heavy COR is. But one thing you have to remember, Ryan, is if there’s an unfortunate event on your site, the only thing that’s going to protect you is the documentation.”
That message stuck. Now, Ryan shares it with every site supervisor and trade partner Zehr works with. “I sat down with the trades and I said that exact same thing: ‘The only thing that’s going to protect you is your documentation. This has always been a requirement—we’re just pushing for it now.’”
With Corfix, keeping that documentation organized is no longer a burden. It’s built into the workflow, making it easier to track, retrieve, and present when needed.
What’s Next? Maintaining COR with Corfix & Procore
Achieving COR certification is one thing—maintaining it is another. COR requires ongoing internal audits and recertification every three years, but Ryan feels confident knowing Zehr has the right systems in place.
“Now I’m looking at the COR aspect of Corfix because it connects with AuditSoft. I can just click on Corfix, pull the evidence over—it’s seamless.”
Zehr is now expanding Corfix into their property maintenance division, applying the same compliance-driven approach to safety across the company.
“It’s going to be tough at first to get your guys to comply. But I told them, ‘Look at this: our sites six months ago versus now. Night and day. You stay persistent, and it just becomes second nature.’”
By pairing Procore’s robust project management capabilities with Corfix’s specialized safety and compliance tools, Zehr Group has built a powerful system that supports both construction efficiency and a culture of safety.
Is Your Company Ready for COR?
If achieving COR certification feels overwhelming, you don’t have to do it alone. Corfix simplifies safety documentation, streamlines audits, and ensures compliance—so you can focus on what really matters: keeping your team safe.
Book a Demo Today to see how Corfix can help your company achieve COR!