The International SOS Foundation, together with over 13 leading international health, safety and security experts, has launched a global framework aimed at protecting workers travelling or on overseas assignments. The document provides strategic guidance for organisations to identify hazards and threats and manage risks to ensure the safety, health and security of its workers.

Most instruments available to help protect workers’ safety and health are focused on domestic issues. Only two countries, Australia and Canada, have standards and legislation which extend the provisions of occupational safety and health laws to workers outside their home country.

The report was compiled by Dr David Gold, senior consultant to the International SOS Foundation. “While many organisations have occupational health practices in place for domestic employees, only 32% of the 628 organisations we surveyed conduct person/location risk assessments prior to expatriate assignments. This is very low when you consider that conducting a pre-assignment risk assessment is probably the most important step in any overseas occupational health policy," Gold said.

As businesses are shifting towards emerging and riskier markets and sending more workers, and their dependents, abroad – they need to make sure they are responsible and ensure the health and safety of those employees. A recent PWC report suggests a 50% growth in mobile workers is expected by 2020.

"Clearly many businesses have a gap which needs to be bridged if they want to meet their responsibilities to their workers," Gold said. "This framework provides practical measures that they can implement to protect those working or travelling abroad.”

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