What generally occurs in the first year of the COR audit cycle?

In the first year of the COR (Certificate of Recognition) audit cycle, a Certification Audit is conducted. This audit is critical as it assesses an organization's health and safety management system against specific criteria defined by the COR program. The aim is to verify whether the organization's systems and processes meet the required standards for certification.

During the Certification Audit, the audit team examines documentation, interviews staff, and evaluates the effectiveness of safety practices and policies in place. Successfully passing this audit is essential for achieving or maintaining COR status, which can provide numerous benefits, including financial incentives and recognition for exemplary safety performance.

The other options represent activities that may occur at different stages in the audit cycle. For instance, maintenance audits are typically performed in subsequent years to ensure ongoing compliance, internal reviews may happen throughout the year to prepare for the certification audit, and risk assessments are essential components of hazard management but not specifically tied to the initial certification process.