Brief summary – “Travel Risk Management in Africa” breakfast seminar
The traveling employee is a stakeholder in – and a customer of – responsible travel management. The social and ethical dimension of responsible travel management goes beyond sustainable procurement. Business travel has become an integral part of conducting business and as such needs to be considered in duty of care with health and safety policies.
Jens Nasstrom gave an overview of the most common risks associated with travel in Africa, whilst emphasizing the difference between perceived and actual threats. The most common security threat in contrary to general belief is petty crime and violent crimes. The lack of effectiveness on the part of most local institutions such as police and security services indicates the need to establish proper guidelines and plans in case of an emergency, “calling the embassy is not an emergency plan!”. Embedding travel risk resilience and proactive work was highlighted as major keys to risk management in Africa.
Dr. Lars Petersen spoke about the medical/health risks associated with travel on the African continent, pointing out the need to understand the risk and what infrastructures are in place. Weak medical infrastructure in general across Africa illustrates the need for alternative measure in case of an emergency. Once again perceived risk versus actual threats was underlined, emphasizing malaria as a common and important risk to consider. Often general physicians in Norway do not have the needed expertise to advice or handle a case of malaria. Yellow fever as well as Rabies, the later, which has a hundred percent mortality rate, are also important health risks to keep in mind when an employee is traveling.
Ove Rusten gave an insight in his experiences working in Africa with Multiconsult, in particular Liberia, during the Ebola outbreak. Multiconsult had to face the disease in several of the countries they were operating. Some of the actions Mr. Rusten underlined as key in handling such an emergency were having an EHS master plan, EHC rules for the staff, an emergency plan as swell as infection control procedures. Information and ability to access local information at an early stage of an emergency was deemed as integral. Mr.Rusten finished his presentation by pointing out that during his time in Africa emergencies such as Ebola was never the greatest threat, rather malaria, the lack of medical infrastructure and traffic accidents.
With experience from Aker solutions dealings in Congo and Angola, Anders Rimstad advised to do a risk assessment before deciding to enter a new country, furthermore when an emergency plan is established making sure to verify, potentially updating it every quarter. Moreover Mr.Rimstad emphasized as the speakers before him the importance of preventive measures to secure business continuity. If a business cannot manage risk it will manifest itself in a loss of business opportunity.
The top 3 security risks for Aker solutions in 2016 were violent crime, fraud which is becoming increasingly advanced and insider threat. One of the method Aker Solutions have implemented to deal with some of these risks have been to establish discipline as a policy in the company, focusing on fiscal security, personal security and information security.
Presentations from the breakfast seminar:
Managing Travel Risks in Africa
Jens Nasstrom, Regional Security Manager Nordics & Benelux, International SOS & Control Risks
Managing Health Risks in Africa
Dr. Lars Petersen, Regional Medical Director Benelux & Scandinavia, International SOS
Crisis management and emergency response: Our experience in Liberia
Ove Rusten, Vice President Projects Energy, Multiconsult
Travel Safety and Security
Anders H Rimstad, Chief Security Officer, Aker Solutions
Written by: Fredrik Mosis