I work for a large government department in my country.
Today, the head of the Division I worked for released direction regarding risk management for Work Health and Safety for Remote and Isolated Work.
Naturally this includes risk management of everything from working alone in a laboratory to working late in the office or overnight, working at home, and travel (ranging from overseas, domestic and local).
Sadly this included standing risk profiles for travel, ranging from air travel, long and short distance car travel, public transport, the local departmental shuttle bus and believe it or not, walking between offices.
It included, as mitigations, such gems of wisdom as
- carry sufficient medication for your known medical conditions as may be necessary
- call for assistance if you suddenly become ill
- while waiting for the bus, dress appropriately for the weather and stay out of the roadway to avoid being hit by traffic.
- obey road rules when crossing the road
Also mandated were the conduct of a risk assessment using these risk profiles for conduct of such task and seeking of approval of the assessment.
So, by the book, I have to complete a five page form and seek sign-off any time one of my team will be alone in our computer laboratory, stay late in the office or walk down the street to another departmental office.
FFS - how do they come up with this shit and expect us to remain productive?