Why do so many involved in health and safety management bury themselfs in paperwork instead of getting down at the sharp end to see what realy happens?

Edited by user 22 January 2021 23:01:51(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Blimmy Peter, I think you answered q my question in one.  Shame is, it dosent leave a lot of time for safety proper.  My point being, I can remember carrying out a survey on a very large company, had all the ISO's and documentation was perfect.  Went on the shop floor and the guys there didnt know who the health and safety manager was.  He had been there 3 years and never introduced himself to those at the sharp end, those that could tell him what was realy going on, too busy compiling paperwork.  I have so many examples of this, too many in fact. 

Cpt, correct.  This is why so many in health and safety hide behind paperwork, its the easy way out.  It takes guts, determination and the right attitude to get out there and see what really going on.  Do that and your on your way to a safe working environment.  I have seen so many health and safety people vegetating in their office hiding from what might be happening.  

What many in this profession fail to consider is, the majority of employees are employed by very small companies probably employing 10 or less.  How do you expect these companies to find the time or resources to conjure up endless reams of statistics and put in behaviour programmes etc?  They can’t.  Its ok if you are working for a large company, have a couple of side kicks and a budget but think on, what about Joe Soap and his 6 workers?  They have no interest or idea about all the ISO’s, accident statistics and all the rest, they just want to do a job safely and go home at night in one piece.  If you look at any HSE advice it always says “Keep it simple” Never once have I read “Keep it complicated” which is what so many do.  Have a look on these forums and see how many quote regulations like they are going out of fashion, what’s the point?  You only need to know that for exams or to impress others.  I pay my TV licence, but I don’t know or need to know under what broadcasting regulations I’m required to pay.  Yes we need to know what regulations are in place, understand them and act upon them but that’s it, we don’t need to pock them down everyone’s throat, particularly the poor guy on the shop floor.  Keep it simple, it not rocket science.