Working Overseas Health & Safety

Guidance for staff undertaking an overseas business trip.

Risk Assessment: The template published on this page follows UCEA guidance. The use of a checklist type risk assessment for the activity to be undertaken provides useful prompts to ensure all aspects of the activity have been considered. Where more involved 'fieldwork' activity is due to take place, eg an expedition, archaeological dig, etc, then it is appropriate to consider and use the Guidance on Fieldwork and Fieldwork Risk Assessment Form.

Foreign & Commonwealth Office: It is appropriate to access and consider this source of advice as part of the risk assessment process, prior to any overseas travel, as the website contains up-to-date information and advice, by country, and general travel health, insurance and other useful advice.

Insurance: The University has blanket cover in respect of personal accident and business travel insurance for staff and PhD students, which extends to spouses, partners and children. Although the personal accident insurance covers staff 24 hours a day worldwide, spouses, partners and children are only covered whilst accompanying a staff member on a business trip. The business travel insurance only provides cover on University business which involves travel outside England, Scotland and Wales. Staff are not covered by the University if they choose to extend their overseas trips for leisure purposes. Full details of the insurance guidelines and cover can be accessed here.

Occupational Health: Before any overseas travel you should discuss your trip with Occupational Health and also complete a Pre-Travel Consultation Form. The information provided will be retained as a confidential record by Occupational Health.