Top Challenges in Closing Out Audit Actions – and How to Overcome Them

Workplace audits are essential tools for identifying potential hazards, ensuring compliance, and improving safety. However, one of the toughest parts of the audit process isn’t the audit itself—it’s closing out the audit actions. That final step is where many organizations stumble. Why? Because translating findings into results takes more than checklists—it demands focus, coordination, and accountability.

Whether you’re managing a construction site, a laboratory, or an office building, unresolved audit actions can lead to legal issues, unsafe conditions, or even life-threatening accidents. And when you consider that many professionals undergo certifications like the NEBOSH Course to improve safety standards, it becomes even more frustrating when action items sit idle.

The Cost Factor: Understanding Why Audits Stall

Before diving into the core challenges, let’s acknowledge one often-overlooked issue—budget. Many businesses balk at investing in health and safety unless forced by legal obligations. Even individuals shy away from safety certifications due to costs. In fact, NEBOSH course fees in some regions like Pakistan can feel intimidating, especially for entry-level professionals or small businesses.

However, ignoring proper training can be even more costly in the long run. Organizations that encourage staff to pursue health and safety education often find that audit closeouts become faster and more effective. In such cases, the NEBOSH Course Fees become a wise investment, not a sunk cost.

Challenge #1: Lack of Ownership

Let’s start with the most common issue—nobody owns the action.

When audit findings are reported, they often get distributed to a group or a department without clearly assigning responsibility. What happens next? Nothing.

👉 Solution:

• Assign a single point of contact (SPOC) for each audit action.
  
• Use an action tracker with names, deadlines, and progress notes.
  
• Make that person accountable through regular follow-ups.
  

💡 A real-world story: In one petrochemical plant, over 30 open audit actions sat unresolved for 9 months. After designating SPOCs, they cleared 90% of them in 6 weeks.

Challenge #2: Poor Communication Between Teams

Communication gaps can make or break audit success. Often, the safety officer knows what needs to be done, but the operations team doesn’t get the message clearly—or in time.

👉 Solution:

• Schedule cross-functional review meetings after every audit.
  
• Use collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams or Slack to discuss audit progress.
  
• Use visuals or flowcharts to explain complex actions.
  

⏩ Transition tip: Don’t rely solely on email. People overlook them. Try live meetings and dashboards.

Challenge #3: Not Prioritizing Risks

Many audit actions get lost in the sea of “things to do.” Not all findings are created equal—some are urgent, others can wait.

👉 Solution:

• Use a risk matrix to prioritize actions. Focus first on those that pose the highest threat.
  
• Assign severity and probability scores to each audit item.
  
• Create categories like “Critical,” “Moderate,” and “Low.”
  

✅ Tools like iAuditor or Intelex can help automate this process.

Challenge #4: Insufficient Resources

Sometimes the team knows exactly what needs to be done but lacks time, tools, or manpower.

👉 Solution:

• Allocate budget and resources as part of your annual safety plan.
  
• Encourage staff to take training like the NEBOSH International General Certificate to improve self-sufficiency.
  
• Outsource complex fixes if necessary—but don’t delay them.
  

📌 Tip: Treat unresolved audit actions as red flags in management meetings. Elevate their visibility.

Challenge #5: Forgetting the “Why”

Audit findings often feel like a bureaucratic task rather than a life-saving necessity. When employees don’t understand why an action matters, they’re less likely to follow through.

👉 Solution:

• Communicate the risks and potential outcomes of inaction.
  
• Share incident case studies (real or hypothetical) to add urgency.
  
• Tie the findings back to legal or moral responsibilities.
  

💬 Anecdote: One factory had repeated issues with chemical leaks. Only after showing a case study where similar leaks caused an explosion did employees take the audit seriously.

Challenge #6: Documentation and Tracking Gaps

You can’t close what you can’t track. Many companies still use Excel or worse—paper forms—to manage audit actions.

👉 Solution:

• Use centralized tracking software.
  
• Store audit records, notes, and photos in a digital system.
  
• Regularly update status to maintain transparency.
  

🧰 Useful tools: SafetyCulture, AuditBoard, ETQ Reliance.

Step-by-Step Guide to Closing Audit Actions

Let’s bring it all together with a step-by-step plan:

Step 1: Review Audit Findings

• Read each finding carefully.
  
• Consult the auditor if clarification is needed.
  

Step 2: Assign Responsibility

• Appoint a responsible person for each action.
  
• Use an action tracker (e.g., Google Sheets, Monday.com).
  

Step 3: Prioritize Based on Risk

• Categorize actions as High, Medium, or Low.
  
• Focus first on high-risk areas.
  

Step 4: Develop Action Plans

• Create SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound.
  
• Estimate time, cost, and resource requirements.
  

Step 5: Implement Actions

• Assign manpower and tools.
  
• Monitor real-time progress.
  

Step 6: Verify Completion

• Re-inspect areas to confirm fixes are effective.
  
• Gather evidence (photos, test results, documents).
  

Step 7: Sign-Off and Report

• Mark action as complete.
  
• Share closure report with leadership.
  

A Cultural Shift Can Make a Big Difference

Closing out audit actions shouldn’t just be a task—it should be a habit. Organizations that adopt a culture of safety see fewer open actions, better morale, and fewer accidents.

Encourage continuous improvement by:

• Offering reward systems for timely action closures.
  
• Providing ongoing training.
  
• Involving senior leadership in safety conversations.
  

Don’t Let NEBOSH Course Fees Hold You Back

If you’re serious about improving workplace safety, knowledge is power. While NEBOSH Course Fees might seem high, especially for newcomers or businesses in budget-sensitive regions, the return on investment is real.

Whether you’re an individual upskilling or an organization upgrading safety protocols, NEBOSH-certified professionals know how to manage and close audit actions efficiently.

📖 Read more about NEBOSH safety courses in Pakistan and how they can shape a safer workplace.

Final Thoughts

Workplace safety isn’t optional. And neither is following through on audits. The challenge isn’t in identifying what’s wrong—it’s in fixing it.