Working abroad

The hazards that may be encountered when working abroad will depend very much on the location and the type of work being proposed. Consequently a full risk assessment should be carried out which includes not only the identification of the hazards connected directly to the work but also the hazards that may simply exist because of the location.

Risk assessment of work activities abroad

Conferences etc

There is no need to complete a risk assessment for a conference visit or similar activity unless you are travelling to a medium / high risk country. You should of course be sensible with regards to diseases and personal safety and you should consult the appropriate authorities with regards to these matters.

Research work

The safety implications of working abroad vary with the type of research being conducted.

If the work is laboratory or library based, and involves no fieldwork, it is assumed that the local safety rules applicable in the host institution will apply.
If the work involves fieldwork and is being conducted in an institutional fieldstation or on a research vessel operated by an established institution, it will be assumed that the local safety rules applicable to those institutions will apply. If there are any doubts about the safety policy operated by those institutions you must complete your own risk assessment and operate your own rules.
If the work involves fieldwork in any form and is being conducted in the absence of other institutional safety procedures, a full risk assessment must be completed and approved by the Departmental Safety Advisor before the person(s) involved leave York

Key questions to consider for work abroad:

Have you identified the hazards that are specifically related to the location of the work (including those associated with travel and residence) and have you the documented the means to be adopted to reduce the risk?
What limitations and conditions will be imposed on those carrying out the work?
Who will make safety inspections? Who will audit the facilities and equipment?
Where will the workers stay? Identify any hazards associated with such accommodation. How will the risks be reduced?
How will 24 hour emergency provision be provided locally?
How will contact be maintained between the workers and the academic supervisor?
What procedures will be adopted with regards to disease and infection?

Undergraduates

All supervisors of students who will be conducting work outside the UK must complete the Fieldwork Abroad Risk Assessment Form (MS Word , 32kb) and discuss the contents with the Biology Safety Advisor before the project is advertised to students. There must be very convincing academic reasons why work outside the UK must be included in the course work of a particular student.

Postgraduates

The problem of supervising people working abroad are so great that special attention must be paid to how the responsibility of an academic supervisor can be met. In the case of postgraduate students, a full Fieldwork Abroad Risk Assessment Form (MS Word , 32kb) for work abroad must be completed and approved by the Supervisor & H&S Advisor before travel.