Typical Travel Risks Prompt List
Please note all hazards / risks that may potentially apply to your travel and consider what action you
should take using the identified control measures.
Hazard
Risk
Control Measures
 Air travel
 Deep vein thrombosis
 Dehydration
 In-flight exercise, adequate fluids.
 Adequate fluids, limit alcohol intake.
 Crossing time zones
 Jet lag
 Adequate rest periods, avoid car hire.
 Road transportation
 Road traffic accidents
 Vehicle breaks down
 Getting lost
 Unlicensed vehicles
 Own Car
 Competent drivers, suitable means of transport,
properly maintained vehicles, spare parts and fuel,
driver trained to service and repair vehicle.
 Suitable maps and/or directions, planned and
frequent breaks, use of local guide.
 Arrange collection in advance of travel, book
reputable companies via hotel or partner.
 Insurance
 Contaminated water
(drinking, washing
swimming)
 Contaminated /
undercooked foods
 Diarrhoea, legionella,  Take local advice, use bottled ‘fizzy’ water wherever
cholera, polio,
possible, avoid salads, ice in drinks, clean teeth
typhoid, leptospirosis,
using bottled water, avoid swimming in local
parasitemia
rivers/pools.
 Food poisoning,
 Ensure vaccination against known diseases
hepatitis A
 Use syndicated hotels and restaurants where
possible, or take local advice regarding ‘places to
eat’.
 Avoid pavement stalls and mobile food outlets.
 Observe food hygiene standards in operation
before deciding.
 Wash vegetables/fruit before eating. Wash hands
before eating.
 Dangerous animals
(domestic and wild)
including insects, snakes,
reptiles and fish
 Allergies, asthma,
bites, stings,
dermatitis, zoonoses,
Lymes disease,
malaria, etc
 Infections including HIV,
hepatitis, STD
 Needles (contaminated)/
 Sexual contact
 Unprotected sex,
 Avoid casual sex and always use protection
contaminated needles,  Carry first aid kit, including needles and syringes
poor medical and
where required, particularly in countries with
personal hygiene
limited medical facilities.
 Carry and use antiseptic wipes.
 Medical
 Pregnancy
 Existing injury or
medical conditions
 Security risks around
targeted individuals (e.g.
Govt. officials,
Police/Army, royalty and
other dignitaries)
 Personal
 tbc
attack/assault,
terrorist attack, kidnap
 Social
 Language difficulties,
unaware of local
 All relevant immunisations prior to travel.
 Take anti-malarial products where risk is present,
wear sensible clothing and insect repellent, avoid
infested areas and contact with animals take local
advice prior to action/ excursion.
 Carry and use antiseptic wipes.
 If you have any doubts, seek medical advice from GP
or Occupational Health Service, prior to travel.
 Ensure you have a sufficient supply of all required
medication in your hand luggage.
 Carry a card with hotel address in local language.
 Pre-travel orientation / learning.
Hazard
Risk
Control Measures
custom and practice,
failure to adapt to
local circumstances
and surroundings,
feeling of isolation/
loneliness
 Cultural awareness sessions, pre-travel contact with
hosts, learn a few key phrases.
 Guidebook / research in advance of travel.
 Maintain regular contact with family / colleagues.
 Drink alcohol in moderation.
 Culture
 Lack of understanding  Drink alcohol in moderation, be aware of your
of local customs,
representative status and act accordingly.
dress, religion, laws,
 Avoid the use of drugs, many countries have
procedures and
punitive attitudes to drug abuse.
standards
 Learn a little about the country, its culture and
learn a few key words or phrases.
 Obtain a local map.
 Pre-travel briefings on local customs and practice,
local travel advice and locations to avoid.
 Money
 Put yourself at risk as
a result of having too
much or too little.
 Use a hotel safe
 Fire
 Entrapment
 Blocked or nonexistent fire escapes,
No fire alarms / info
no fire action notices
 No extinguishers
 Use well known syndicated hotels wherever
possible, (the safety standards are usually higher).
 Avoid rooms with bars on windows.
 Check fire information and escape routes before
you go to bed.
 Don’t use hotels which demonstrate poor fire safety
standards.
 Electrical
voltage/frequency
incompatibility, poor
electrical standards,
 No earth link
 Malfunction of, or
damage to equipment,
fire, electric shock,
burns
 Use equipment which operates at different voltages.
 Use battery operated equipment.
 Use voltage converters and adaptors.
 Use equipment provided by host organisation or
accommodation.
 Personal safety/criminal
activity
 Theft, robbery,
intruders, sexual
harassment
 Avoid booking ground floor rooms.
 Lock your door at night, use safety chains.
 Do not divulge personal details/room number to
strangers or in the presence of strangers.
 Avoid extravagant display of wealth.
 Arrange to meet new acquaintances in public places
(e.g. lobby or lounge of hotel).
 Earthquake, flood,
avalanche, tidal surges,
 Becoming stranded
 Personal injury
 Loss of possessions
 Awareness of environmental hazards which might
be encountered (e.g. flood plain / delta region).
Contingency plans.
 Emergency contact numbers.
 Environmental conditions,  Exposure, frostbite,
 Awareness of local seasonal and environmental
extremes of heat, cold,
hypothermia, sunburn, conditions likely to be encountered. Local advice.
rain, wind etc.
snow blindness,
Use of suitable protective clothing/equipment.
dehydration
 Skin protection.
 Emergency supplies – as appropriate.
 Altitude
 Oxygen deficiency,
exhaustion
 Pre-travel health check.
 Slow acclimatisation to altitude.
 High energy foods.
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Hazard
Risk
Control Measures
 Limited tasks and frequent breaks.
 Rough/remote terrain
 Medical
 Exhaustion,
 Physical injury,
isolation,
 Loss of emergency
supplies
 Personal safety
 Effective two-way communication.
 Route/itinerary known and held locally.
 Emergency first aid training.
 Emergency food/water supplies.
 Contingency plans.
 Physical fitness.
 Contingency plans & arrangements.
 Emergency medical evacuation cover.
 Emergency contact
 Home / work problem  Itinerary held in office. Provision of mobile / hotel
numbers.
 Local problem
 Communication with 'help' numbers (local / base /
home (24hour), insurance).
 Expected
 Allergies
 Access to medical back-up, antidotes, emergency
 Pre-existing conditions supplies.
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Optional Travel Guidance
Planning your trip / on arrival

Make sure that your mobile has the appropriate network coverage.

Ensure that you are carrying a list of key contacts including emergency contacts. If you are taking a mobile
phone add them to your contacts list.

Make sure you have the numbers needed to cancel your credit cards or travellers’ cheques in the event of
a loss.

Take photocopies of the details page of your passport, visas and tickets, and keep them separate from
your original documents or wallet.

Leave a photocopy of the details page of your passport, visas and tickets with the Travel
Administrator/Line Manager at the University.

Arrange to be met at your destination or a hotel transfer whenever possible.

Take a small amount of local currency (when permitted) to avoid having to change money at the airport on
arrival.

Ensure you carry all your items of luggage yourself and avoid using airport porters.

Be alert to what is going on around you – bogus taxi drivers and thieves operate at many airports.
During your trip

Do not carry large sums of money and never offer physical resistance to a mugger. Always report any
incident to the local police and obtain documentation to support your insurance claim.

Lock car doors and only open windows to a maximum of three inches.

Make yourself aware of any common scams that happen in the cities you are visiting and think about how
to react if you are approached.

Always carry the telephone number of the client or office you are visiting, the local police, your hotel, and
if possible the national embassy, as well as coins for public telephones.

Always carry details of your hotel in the language of the country to help you return to your hotel by taxi.
Look and act confidently.

Maintain contact with your family / work colleagues on a regular basis.

Coming home – check flight times in advance, ensuring you have sufficient local currently to purchase
food and water at the airport
In high-risk area hotels

When checking in to your hotel, do not disclose your personal occupation, position, company or the name
of your organisation you are visiting. Give a shortened version of your address.

Ask for a room on the second to seventh floors, near a fire exit, but not fronting on to any roofs or trees
that may provide access.

Check fire escape routes, ensuring that you are aware of exits.

Always use the security chain while you are in your room. Lock doors and windows.
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