The tick-boxiest of tick-boxing exercises. You will tick and tick and tick and tick and tick and tick and tick and tick and tick and tick and tick and tick  aaaaaand… tick. All the boxes. And then sign your name.

Much tick. Very box.

The reason for all the boxes is that it is important to be seen to be doing.

Every workplace will, or should, have relevant operating procedures on everything from how to carry a cup of tea without spilling it on yourself, through use of a photocopier without getting anything important snagged in it, to the use of heavy machinery without breaking somebody’s leg, and associated risk assessments on what to do should operating procedures not be followed.

Every chemical or aggregate provided to you by your employer will have a COSHH assessment explaining the nature, purpose and usage of the substance and what to do should an incident or spillage occur. This includes the soap in the toilet dispenser and absorbent materials used to mop up chemical spillages. Everything.

Water sources will be tested for Legionella, first aid boxes will be inspected, and fire alarm systems will be tested.

If you work with vibrating machinery or equipment your employer will have procedures in place for monitoring HAVS (Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome). Guess what? Yep, tick boxes.

There will be paperwork, on top of paperwork, on top of paperwork.

It is extremely difficult, in any industry, to determine whether or not proper procedures are being followed or ignored. Job-role training only goes so far. Everybody over the course of their career develops short cuts and methods to speed up the process. Because, that’s what the employer wants.

Whilst lip-service may be paid to the “safe” approach to things, doing things the procedural way often results in a loss of efficiency.

Which isn’t going to make anybody any money. No sir.

Your employer will tell you that, “We want you to be safe at work”, but they will also want you to get as much done as possible in the time available. Savvy?

So, you will do everything the right way, won’t you? (Nudge, nudge.)

You’re not going to use equipment for anything other than its intended purpose, right? (Wink, wink.)

You will take breaks and not use vibrating equipment for longer than you should, okay? (Cough, cough.)

Providing the paperwork’s in order, everything will be fine.