how to write a travel risk assessment.
writing a travel risk assessment.
In an increasingly interconnected world, ensuring the safety and security of travellers is paramount for any organisation. Whether you're planning a business trip, an educational tour, or a leisure adventure, a well-structured travel risk assessment is your key to informed decision-making. But travel is so complex its often difficult to know where to start. That’s why we developed the GHOSTAA framework. This simple system keeps you on track and makes sure that you consider all the key risks that could impact your travellers.
what’s the context of your trip?
Most of the standard guidelines like ISO 31030 or BS 8848 rightly start by encouraging you to think about and establish the context.
What’s the purpose of it? what are the aim and objectives of your trip?
Who is traveling? Have they been their before? Do they have any additonal needs, special charateristics?
Has anyone from your organisation been there before?
By being able to set the scene for your trip you quickly define why the trip is necesary and that the risks posed by travel are proportionate to the benefits of sending people overseas.
what is the GHOSTAA framework.
Geopolitical Risks
Starting with our destination its important to begin by assessing the geopolitical situation of your intended destination. Research factors such as political stability, social unrest, upcoming elections and any ongoing conflicts. Study government travel advisories such as the UK FCDO or US Department of State, and consult international organisations' reports. Evaluate the potential impact of these factors on your travelers and their activities.
Health Factors
Health hazards are a crucial aspect of any travel risk assessment. Start with guidance from places like Travel Health Pro to research and understand prevalent diseases, vaccination requirements. It’s also import to consider healthcare infrastructure in the destination. Analyse potential risks such as food and water quality, availability of medical facilities, and health emergency response procedures.
Operational Risks
Evaluate the operational aspects related to your travel plans. Consider factors like local laws and regulations, visa requirements, customs procedures, and language barriers. Assess the availability of essential services, local transportation, communication networks, and cultural norms. These factors can greatly influence the success and safety of your trip.
Safety & Security Threats
Safety and security is the cornerstone of travel risk assessments. Firstly its important to consider the terrorism threat, which groups are active and who might they target, do they have any history of targeting groups similar to your travellers or is they a chance your group might be caught up in an ongoing incident? Research crime rates, assess the quality and capacity of local law enforcement, and analyse the effectiveness of emergency response systems. Identify high-risk areas and implement preventive measures. Include information about personal safety precautions, emergency contacts, and evacuation plans.
Transportation Risks
Transportation risks must not be underestimated. Evaluate the safety standards of local transportation options, including public transport and private hires. Analyse road conditions, driving practices, and accident rates. Consider air transport providers and whether they hold external safety audits like IOSA Provide guidelines for using transportation safely, including the use of seat belts and avoiding risky modes of transport.
Activity Risks
What will your people be doing when they’re in country? building schools and manual handling or something riskier as part of an adventure trip? Consider the activities planned during the trip. Assess the potential risks associated with work related activites, adventure sports, recreational activities, and cultural excursions. Determine if participants need special training or equipment for certain activities. Provide guidelines to ensure participants' safety while engaging in various activities.
Accommodation Safety
Accommodation forms the base of any travel experience. Research the safety and security standards of potential accommodations. Evaluate factors such as fire safety, building integrity, security measures, and the proximity of medical facilities. Provide recommendations for choosing safe and reputable lodging options.
writing a travel risk assessment using GHOSTAA
document the risks.
Research Thoroughly - Gather information from reliable sources. Government advisories, Open Source Intelligence sources, travel intelligence agencies, and international organisations' reports are valuable resources.
Filter Information - Identify the key information relevant to you trip according to the GHOSTAA framework. Create separate sections for each factor to maintain clarity. roaml is built specifically around this framework
Document the trip details - Give your trip some overall header details like, dates, aims, and in country contacts.
Geopolitical Analysis - Provide an overview of the political situation, highlighting any risks. Include information about conflicts, political stability and any potential population flashpoints. Explain how these factors could impact travellers.
Health risks: Discuss prevalent diseases, vaccination requirements, and healthcare quality. Offer recommendations for staying healthy and provide guidance on medical emergencies.
Operational Insights - Detail visa requirements, local laws, and cultural norms. Include information about local services, transportation options, and communication networks.
Safety & Security Measures - Outline safety precautions and security measures. Highlight areas with elevated risks and propose strategies to mitigate those risks.
Transportation Guidelines - Provide transportation safety guidelines, including road conditions, local driving practices, and the use of seat belts.
Activities Risk Assessment - Evaluate the risks associated with planned activities. Include recommendations for safe participation and any necessary training.
Accommodation Safety - Discuss the safety standards of potential accommodations. Highlight fire safety, security measures, and proximity to medical facilities.
assess the risks.
Assessing travel risk involves categorising potential threats as low, medium, or high based on their likelihood and potential impact. For each risk factor, analyse its probability of occurrence and the severity of its consequences.
plan your control measures.
Proactive control measures allow us to put measures in place to mitigate the risks. Maybe thats in eliminating or substituting a risk like swapping a plane for a train or putting policies in place to control the risk through administration. Personal protective equipment like a lifejacket might be an option when the risks need additional control but they rarely prevent an injury from happening merely limit the damage it might cause.
Reactive control measures are what we do if that risk happens dispite our best efforts. They may seem obvious or common sense but its aways good to document what our approach might be. maybe it giveing first aid, maybe its contacting our insurance company.
emergency plans.
Provide clear instructions for handling emergencies. Include contact information for local authorities and your organisation's emergency contacts.
Communication Plan - Establish a communication plan for travellers and their supervisors. Ensure that everyone knows how to stay connected in case of unforeseen situations. Then introduce a backup. Then a backup for the backup. comms fail easily so its always worth having multiple layers.
conclusion.
Crafting a travel risk assessment using the GHOSTAA framework equips your organisation with a comprehensive tool for risk management. By analysing geopolitical, health, operational, safety & security, transportation, activity, and accommodation factors, you create a detailed roadmap for safe and successful travel experiences. Remember, a well-prepared traveler is a confident traveller, and a confident traveler embarks on a journey with peace of mind.