University guidance states that anyone who is working away from their usual location in Cambridge must undertake a risk assessment, which demonstrates that the necessary checks have been made and that appropriate safety arrangements are in place.
Working away from Cambridge means, in this context, “any activity undertaken in connection with the business of the University in locations other than those which are the usual domain of the work”.
As a minimum standard you should:
• do a risk assessment or check that there is an existing valid one
• revise the risk assessment if necessary
• check out insurance arrangements
• make sure emergency arrangements are in place
The risk assessment required for routine types of work, such as attending other universities or conferences, can be generic and simple. A pro forma has been provided.
Travel Insurance
Employees, Post Graduate Students, Volunteers, Members of a research project or Members of a supervised University of Cambridge field trip who are usually resident in the UK are covered by the University of Cambridge Travel Insurance policy whilst travelling on University of Cambridge business from the UK to destinations outside of the UK.
Insurance Cover must be applied for prior to travel and the application can be found here: https://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/insurance/travel/.
You should be aware of the exclusions of this cover, which include certain sporting activities and also travel without ‘obtaining permission’ from the Department and Safety Officer, as detailed here:
https://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/insurance/travel/docs/cover.pdf.
Further Information and Guidance
Further University guidance can be obtained as follows:
Working Away from Cambridge
https://www.safety.admin.cam.ac.uk/files/hsd039m.pdf
Guidance for the Safe Conduct of Fieldwork and Work Away from the University
https://www.safety.admin.cam.ac.uk/files/hsd055m.pdf
Travel at Work
https://www.safety.admin.cam.ac.uk/files/hsd031m.pdf