Report outlining the risk and insurance managers’ responsibilities to travelling employees and expats from FERMA and International SOS.

Managing health, safety and security risks to workers on international travel and assignment is the subject of a new paper from the Federation of European Risk Management Associations (FERMA) and International SOS, the world’s leading medical and travel security risk services company. A survey earlier this year led by FERMA and International SOS confirms that Travel Risk Management is on the agenda for 79 percent of the risk and insurance managers polled.

FERMA and International SOS have, therefore, developed this paper to help risk and insurance managers better understand their responsibilities regarding work-related international travel and assignments. The document identifies the Risk Manager as a pivotal influencer in evaluating effective Travel Risk Management solutions. As noted in the paper: “The risk manager’s holistic perception of the medical, security and insurance aspects is critical to considering efficient solutions and practical responses to any situation an organisation might face when sending workers abroad.”  

The paper includes:  • A legal review of Duty of Care for organisations in Europe; • Best practice and practical experiences from leading risk practitioners, representing Atlas Copco, CMI Groupe, DLA Piper, Drägerwerk, Kering, and Wolters Kluwer; A Travel Risk Management Toolbox that outlines health and travel security mea¬sures that organisations can implement to help reduce risks for their travellers and international assignees; A review of the transposition of the EU legislation in 15 Member States, which shows that national laws vary always toward greater health, safety and security responsibilities for organisations concerning their workers. 

Jorge Luzzi, FERMA board member with responsibility for the project: “People are travelling on business more and further than ever before. This report will support organisations in fulfilling their duty of care to these travellers who are likely to be exposed to unfamiliar situations and increased risks compared to their home countries. FERMA recommends it to its members and all others involved in managing international travel for their organisations for both its practical and legal advice.” Laurent Taymans, Regional Medical Director, International SOS, explains: “Companies need to be able to implement robust and scalable solutions to protect their travellers and expats. There is a measureable benefit for understanding and mitigating health, safety and security risks. Risk and insurance managers have an opportunity to reinvent their role.”