The recently published ISO 31030 on Travel Risk Management (TRM) provides a set of guidelines for organisations/companies/institutions in relation to work-related travels. The aim is to promote a culture where travel-related risk is taken seriously, resourced adequately, and managed effectively and where the benefits to the organisation are recognized.
Travelling has become a common feature of people’s jobs or functions. Organisations need to meet their duty of care across multiple jurisdictions in different parts of the world. Travellers, whether international or domestic, can be faced with unfamiliar situations and environments that have different risk profiles to those of their normal location. Road accidents, disease outbreaks, epidemics, natural disasters, conflicts, crime, cyber threats, terrorism, political and socially motivated instability, can threaten the safety, security, and health (including mental health) of travellers.
Travel risk management (TRM) requires that organisations anticipate and assess the potential for events, develop treatments and communicate anticipated risk exposures to their travellers.
ISO 31030 document provides a means for organisations to demonstrate that travel decisions are based on the organization’s capacity to treat risk using internal resources or with external assistance.
ISO 31030 is structured around different sections: understanding the organisation and its context, managing travel risk, travel risk assessment, travel risk treatment, communication and consultation, programme monitoring and review, programme recording and reporting.
Additional Annexes provide further specifications on some of the issues covered in the document: Development and Implementation of a TRM programme, Minors travelling without legal guardians, Travel considerations during global disruption, Risk treatment restrictions, Training, Considerations for accommodation in higher-risk locations.
