• There are certain drawbacks to a safety audit.

Although audits provide definite benefits, there are some potential negatives as well. Before conducting an audit, be aware of the following points.

1. An audit may uncover previously unknown problems, and the solution may not always be simple. If a violation of a regulation or law is discovered, what will be done? Should it be disclosed to the regulatory agency?
2. Failure to correct problems identified in an audit can potentially lead to many more problems. Implementing corrective actions in a timely manner is an important part of conducting an audit. If problems are identified in an audit and nothing is done to correct the situation, this may be used against the company in future enforcement proceedings.
3. Consult with legal counsel to obtain further information about whether audit information must be disclosed to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). OSHA and EPA do not, generally, require disclosure of audit reports because these agencies do not want to discourage companies from self-auditing to improve environmental and/or safety compliance. However, there have been instances when the agencies have subpoenaed audit information during an investigation, using it against the company.