Closing Meeting
CLOSING MEETING
At the end of the data collection phase of the audit, the auditors should carry out a debriefing or closing session, with management representatives of the organization or the part of it that is being audited.
The closing meeting has several purposes:
· to indicate significant Safety and Health problems that require urgent attention;
· to foreshadow the findings of the written report; and
· to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the organization.
An early verbal report of serious failings is necessary because the written report is not usually completed for some time.
The closing meeting also gives management representatives an opportunity to produce contrary evidence or additional information that can effect the audit findings. Verification of the audit findings is not a sign of weakness from the auditor, but it does prevent the authority of the report from being undermined later by wrong details.