What is the procedure in engineering for ensuring that all tools equipment materials and documentation relating to the work being carried out is available and current prior to starting the activity?

All documentation should be stored in the correct place, this makes it easier to be found when needed and less likely to be lost. Prior to starting the activity you should check the documentation is available to you, if it is not then it should be soused from a manager or supervisor. It is important to check that the documentation is up to date as old documentation can cause mistakes and scrap material. So dates on documentation should always be checked.
A good filing and logging system should ensure everything is available in its own place for any specific task, ie: manufacturers data sheets, PPE requirement documents, Job methods, Permits to work.

This should ensure no emission of relating documentation.
A visual assessment of the job, materials/parts and tools expected to be used supported by a check list should be carried out. This will make you aware of the tools and equipment that will be used and you can check that they are available.