“Due diligence is what we promote, risk management is what we support”
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International Travel Risk Assessment
Form
UIRM-FM_010
UIRM-001
March 2014
This document should be completed at least 8 weeks prior to departure
Purpose
Any activity involves some risk; however programs which take students away from the familiar
environment of the Ryerson campus involve different and often higher risk. The institution has a
responsibility to be aware of and manage these risks. The students must be fully informed of what they
are getting into and be aware of their own responsibilities to keep themselves safe. This document is
mandatory for all Ryerson students travelling outside Canada and is designed to place responsibility for
the identification of risks squarely in the hands of the student traveller.
Ryerson’s Travel Risk Assessment process serves two important purposes:
1. To ensure that Ryerson students travelling abroad are fully aware of the risks inherent to travel to
their destination and activity and have identified means by which to mitigate those risks.
2. To clearly document this awareness as a resource for institutional liability management purposes.
This process is jointly administered by Ryerson International (RI) and the Department of Integrated Risk
Management (IRM)
Determining Risk
Ryerson University uses the Travel Reports prepared by the Government of Canada Department of
Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) to determine the specific risks inherent to travel to
destinations outside Canada as well as the overall level of risk associated with travel to all international
destinations. This is in keeping with due diligence practices employed by Canadian post-secondary
institutions.
You must use the DFAIT Travel Report for your destination to complete the TRA. Travel Reports are
accessed through the www.travel.gc.ca website.
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Process
1. Complete TRA in its entirety. Please follow the section instructions carefully to avoid having to
repeat the process. Handwritten TRAs will not be accepted for review.
2. Save your document using the following format: TRA-LastName-Country-Date Completed
(for example “TRA-Smith-Laos-22Sept2011.doc”).
3. Submit your completed form by email to:
 David Begg, Ryerson International (dbegg@ryerson.ca)
 Cate Drum, Department of Integrated Risk Management (IRM) (irm@ryerson.ca)
 The Chair/Director of your Department/School
(Further details or clarification may be requested by any of the above)
4. IRM and RI will review the TRA and provide a recommendation to the relevant approver,
determined by the level of
advisory/warning indicated by the
DFAIT Advisory/Warning
Ryerson Approver
Department of Foreign Affairs and
“Exercise Normal Security
Chair/Director
International Trade (DFAIT) in the
Precautions”
Travel Report for the destination as
indicated in the chart to the right.
“Exercise high degree of
Chair/Director
caution”
Other factors (such as the nature of
your activity while outside Canada)
may require that a higher level of
approval be secured or that you
attend a meeting to discuss your
plans in greater detail.1
“Avoid non-essential travel”
Dean
“Avoid all travel”
Provost & Vice President,
Academic
5. The decision to approve or not approve the assessment of risk through the TRA will be
communicated to the traveller as soon as possible.
Group Activities
Faculty members leading a group of students for an international academic activity must also
complete the TRA. Once approved, the document must be shared with all participants.
1
Students intending to travel to high-risk destinations or to undertake activities that put themselves or others at risk should
consult with their Department/School/Program and/or Ryerson International as early in their planning as possible.
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How to Assess the Risks
This form contains a number of sections which ask that you complete a table with five columns. Please
use the below as a guide:
A. RISK
IDENTIFICATION
B. RISK ANALYSIS
C. RISK
CHARACTERIZATION
D. RISK
EVALUATION
E. RISK
MANAGEMENT
What is the risk?
How can it affect
me?
How likely am I to
encounter this risk?
How severe is this
risk?
What will I do to
reduce its
impact?
Read the
relevant section
of the DFAIT
Travel Report
carefully to
identify ALL risks
Think about the
possible
outcomes of
encountering this
risk
Use Table A below
Use Table B
below
Use Travel Report
and your
common sense in
the context of
your trip
A: Risk Characterization (Measures of Likelihood)
B: Risk Evaluation (Measures of Consequence)
Almost Certain
Expected to occur in most circumstances
Insignificant
No injuries, low financial loss
Likely
Will probably occur in most circumstances
Minor
First aid treatment, medium financial loss
Moderate
Should occur at some time
Moderate
Medical treatment required, high financial loss
Unlikely
Could occur in exceptional circumstances
Major
Extensive injuries, major financial loss
Rare
Only occur in exceptional circumstances
Catastrophic
Death, huge financial loss
Each section will provide an example of a common risk and how it might be evaluated.
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Part I: Participant & Activity Details
Participant Information
Personal Information
1
Last Name
2
First Name
3
Gender
4
Date of Birth
Contact Information
5
Email
6
Phone
7
Address
Academic Information
8
Ryerson Program
9
Chair/Director Name
10
Activity Supervisor/
Advisor
Activity Information
1
Country/City
3
Host Organization
4
Address
5
Phone
6
Email
Please answer the following:
(bold or highlight the appropriate answer box)
10
Have you travelled to this destination before?
YES
NO
11
Are you travelling with others?
YES
NO
12
If YES, please list travelling companions:
Name
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Program
Email
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Nature of Activity
(bold or highlight the appropriate answer box)
Research
Internship
Study Tour
Field Trip
Conference
Volunteer
Activity
Placement
Project
Co-op
Program
Summer
Course
Study Abroad
Other
Dates
7
Date of Departure
8
End of Activity
9
Date of Return
Transportation (please describe method of transportation to and within destination [including flight
#s if available])
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Part II: Official Warnings & Recommendations
1. Please indicate the level of warning for your destination country (indicate with an X):
Exercise NORMAL
SECURITY PRECAUTIONS
Exercise HIGH DEGREE
OF CAUTION
Avoid
Avoid
NON-ESSENTIAL Travel
ALL Travel
Please cut and paste COUNTRY warning information in the space below:
2. Are there REGIONAL warnings for your destination country? (indicate with an X)
Exercise NORMAL
SECURITY PRECAUTIONS
Exercise HIGH DEGREE
OF CAUTION
Avoid
Avoid
NON-ESSENTIAL Travel
ALL Travel
Please cut and paste any REGIONAL warning information in the space below:
Are you planning on:
X
Not going through this region marked with a warning
Travelling through this region BUT not staying in the region
Staying in the region marked with a warning
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Part III: Assessment of Risks
Complete each of the following five risk assessment tables (one per page) using the DFAIT Travel Report
section(s) indicated. If you require additional space, use your word processing program to add rows to
the table as needed.
You should be sure to indicate ALL the risks identified in the Travel Report. Even where you do not
believe that a risk pertains to you, please include it and explain why it is not a risk in the context of your
activity.
1. Safety and Security Risks (see the “Security” tab on the Travel Report)
A. RISK
IDENTIFICATION
B. RISK ANALYSIS
C. RISK
CHARACTERIZATION
D. RISK
EVALUATION
E. RISK
MANAGEMENT
What is the risk?
How can it affect
me?
How likely am I to
encounter this risk?
How severe is this
risk?
What will I do to
reduce its
impact?
Demonstrations
Could be injured
or imprisoned
Unlikely
Minor or
moderate
Avoid large
gatherings and
keep informed of
local affairs
(SAMPLE)
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2. Health Risks (see the ‘Health’ tab on the Travel Report)
A. RISK
IDENTIFICATION
B. RISK ANALYSIS
C. RISK
CHARACTERIZATION
D. RISK
EVALUATION
E. RISK
MANAGEMENT
What is the risk?
How can it affect
me?
How likely am I to
encounter this risk?
How severe is this
risk?
What will I do to
reduce its
impact?
Malaria
Could become
severely ill or die
Unlikely
Major or
catastrophic
I will use a
malarial
prophylactic
(Malarone) as
directed by my
doctor
(SAMPLE)
Additional Travel Health resources:


Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) Travel Health website: Additional destination-related
information as well as thematic travel health topics.
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/index-eng.php
International Association of Medical Assistance to Travellers (IAMAT): Comprehensive
information on travel health for all countries – particularly complete information on MALARIA.
http://www.iamat.org
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3. Laws & Culture-related Risks (see ‘Laws & Culture’ tab on the Travel Report)
A. RISK
IDENTIFICATION
B. RISK ANALYSIS
C. RISK
CHARACTERIZATION
D. RISK
EVALUATION
E. RISK
MANAGEMENT
What is the risk?
How can it affect
me?
How likely am I to
encounter this risk?
How severe is this
risk?
What will I do to
reduce its
impact?
Illegal to
photograph
military
installations
Could be
imprisoned or
have camera
confiscated
Unlikely
Minor or
moderate
Only photograph
public buildings
and people with
permission
(SAMPLE)
Additional information on customs and cultural considerations:

Centre for Intercultural Learning (CIL): offers a variety of tools and resources to assist you in
understanding and adapting to your destination
http://www.intercultures.ca/cil-cai/countryinsights-apercuspays-eng.asp
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4. Natural Disaster and Climate Risks (see the ‘Disasters & Climate’ tab on the
Travel Report)
A. RISK
IDENTIFICATION
B. RISK ANALYSIS
C. RISK
CHARACTERIZATION
D. RISK
EVALUATION
E. RISK
MANAGEMENT
What is the risk?
How can it affect
me?
How likely am I to
encounter this risk?
How severe is this
risk?
What will I do to
reduce its
impact?
Avalanche
Could be injured
or killed
Rare – travelling in
summer
Catastrophic
Ensure any
activity in alpine
area is in safe
areas
(SAMPLE)
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5. Activity Risks (Indicate how your planned activity could put you at risk)
A. RISK
IDENTIFICATION
B. RISK ANALYSIS
C. RISK
CHARACTERIZATION
D. RISK
EVALUATION
E. RISK
MANAGEMENT
What is the risk?
How can it affect
me?
How likely am I to
encounter this risk?
How severe is this
risk?
What will I do to
reduce its
impact?
Construction
activity as part of
volunteer activity
Could be injured
Unlikely
Minor or
moderate
Will use proper
safety equipment
at all times and
refuse hazardous
work
(SAMPLE)
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Part IV: Pre-Departure Considerations
Entry/Exit Requirements and Considerations
Please indicate which of the following are indicated for the country you are travelling to (see the
‘Entry/Exit Requirements’ tab on the Travel Report).
To obtain information on specific entry requirements please contact the nearest diplomatic or consular
office of the destination(s) to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious
penalties. It is the traveller’s responsibility to check with the appropriate Embassy and/or Consulate for
up-to-date information.
Documents/Considerations
Y/
N
Notes
Canadian Passport
Tourist Visa
Business Visa
Student Visa
Reciprocity Fee (s)
Vaccination Certificate(s)
Departure Tax
Exit of Dual Nationals and Minors
Certificate of Canadian Citizenship
Adult travelling with Children
Minors (under 21) having resident
status
Special and Diplomatic passport
holders
Same-sex marriages
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Canadian Government Contacts
Please indicate the closest location(s) at which you can obtain consular assistance (see the ‘Help
Abroad’ information at the right of the screen on the Travel Report, then copy and paste the relevant
location information).
Ryerson University strongly suggests that you make use of the Registration of Canadians Abroad (ROCA)
service. DFAIT offers this registration service to all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is
provided so that they can contact and assist you in the event of an emergency abroad, such as a
natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home.
See www.travel.gc.ca for details and to register.
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Ryerson University Requirements
Please visit http://www.ryerson.ca/ri/students/ryerson_students to:
1. Register your activity on the RI database
2. Obtain information regarding upcoming pre-departure sessions
3. Print and sign the Ryerson International Travel Liability Waiver – this should be kept on file in your
School or Department
(http://www.ryerson.ca/cehsm/docs/RM/RU_RM_IntlTravel_StudentLiabilityWaiver_Feb2010.pdf)
SAFE TRAVELS!
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