What to Do the Day After an OSHA Audit: A Clear 3-Step Plan for Safety Managers

If you’ve just gone through an OSHA audit, you’re probably feeling overwhelmed and wondering, “What now?” The good news: there is a clear path forward that can help you stay calm, get organized, and take meaningful action fast.

Here’s what you must do the day after an OSHA inspection to protect your team, your facility, and your peace of mind.

Step 1: Do a “Mind Dump”

The very first thing you should do is what we call a mind dump. OSHA audits can be mentally draining. The best way to regain clarity is to write down everything that happened during the inspection. Use a legal pad, a Google Doc, your phone’s notes app—whatever works for you.

What to include:

• What you were doing before OSHA arrived

• The exact time the inspection began

• Who the inspector talked to first

• Details from the opening and closing conferences

• Any immediate concerns or violations mentioned

• Why OSHA came (was it a complaint, injury, or a scheduled inspection?)

This initial brain dump clears mental clutter and becomes your foundation for everything that comes next.

Step 2: Organize and Prioritize Your Notes

Once your notes are on paper (or screen), organize and prioritize them. Break your information into three key categories:

🔧 Problems Found

Identify hazards or compliance issues—labeling errors, missing PPE, blocked exits, etc.

• Fast Fixes: Issues that can be corrected immediately (e.g., relabeling a chemical).

• Scheduled Fixes: Issues that require outside contractors or longer-term solutions.

👥 People Involved

List everyone interviewed or involved in the audit—employees, supervisors, safety team members. You'll need to follow up with many of them.

✅ Tasks to Delegate

Decide who’s handling what. Safety managers often wear multiple hats—delegation is essential to keep momentum without burning out.

Step 3: Communicate with Key Stakeholders

Once you’ve organized your priorities, it’s time to communicate clearly and strategically.

Who to communicate with:

1. Company Leadership
   Present a brief, professional summary: what OSHA found, what you’ve fixed, and what’s planned. Be solution-focused—they expect you to own the next steps.

2. Internal Teams & Departments
   Talk to maintenance, production, HR, and anyone else involved. Share what was found and what you need from them to correct it.

3. All Employees
   Squash rumors by addressing the audit openly. Keep it calm and confident:
   “OSHA visited, here’s what they looked at, and here’s how we’re taking care of it.”

4. The OSHA Inspector
   Don’t wait for citations. Send a follow-up email the next day summarizing what you've already corrected. Attach photos, documentation, or timestamps if possible. This shows proactiveness and can help reduce or eliminate penalties.

Bonus Resource: OSHA Audit Response Course

Want step-by-step guidance to handle audits like a pro? Download the full OSHA Audit Course at HelpWithOSHA.com. It includes checklists, email templates, and training videos to walk you through every phase—before, during, and after the inspection.

Final Thought

No one wants to go through an OSHA inspection—but when you handle it right, it can become an opportunity to improve safety, show leadership, and avoid costly fines. Start with a mind dump, get organized, and communicate clearly.

And remember: keeping your people safe is always the #1 goal.

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