Risk assessment and action planning

One of the greatest risks to which travellers are exposed is road traffic. In many countries, the road conditions, traffic rules and driving behaviour are very different to what you are used to at home. These differences can significantly increase the risk of accidents and other safety-related incidents.

To minimise these risks, it is important to find out about local traffic conditions and safety aspects in advance. Ask yourself: What is the local infrastructure like? Are there any traffic rules that are very different to those in your home country? What security measures should you take when driving or using public transport?

Conducting research projects abroad offers exciting and varied opportunities, whether in the field, in laboratories, or working with specialised machinery and equipment. Researchers and scientists often travel to remote areas where they can access unique resources and data that has been collected locally. The work requires not only specialist knowledge, but also careful planning and preparation in order to minimise risks.

To ensure your safety and the success of your research, we recommend that all travellers contact us in advance at  .  With the right preparation and support, you can ensure that your research trip is both productive and safe.

When planning a trip, the security and safety of the accommodation is often overlooked. In many countries, the standards for accommodation can vary greatly. This applies to structural safety, hygiene, and protection against theft or other criminal activities.

In some regions, the safety and security precautions such as fire protection measures or sturdy locks on doors and windows are not always up to the usual standard. Proximity to unsafe neighbourhoods or a lack of security services can also increase the risk. And what's more, it is not always easy to obtain reliable information about the accommodation in advance.

To minimise risks, we recommend that you find out about the safety and security standards and ratings of the accommodation before booking.

In addition to conventional aspects of safety, personal characteristics such as gender, sexual orientation and the way you express yourself on certain topics also play a part in your risk profile when travelling. These factors can influence the way travellers are perceived locally, and what potential dangers or discrimination they may face.

The crime rates in many cities around the world are higher than you would expect, and travellers can easily fall victim to theft, fraud or even violent attacks. Travellers are often targeted by criminals, especially in tourist areas or in poorly lit, remote neighbourhoods.

The risks range from simple pickpocketing to organised crime. In some countries, scams such as fake taxi companies or overpriced hotel bills are also common.

Food and drink can pose an unexpected danger when travelling. In many countries, hygiene and safety standards do not always meet the usual requirements, which can lead to health risks such as gastrointestinal illnesses. Water or raw vegetables, uncooked food or food washed with contaminated water are particularly common causes of infection.

The preparation and storage of food in restaurants or hotels can also pose a risk if it is not carried out under hygienic conditions. In tropical regions, the climate can also benefit the proliferation of bacteria or viruses.

To prevent health problems, it is advisable to only drink bottled water, avoid using ice cubes, and inform yourself about the local conditions. Avoid eating undercooked or raw food at markets or from street vendors.

ETH staff and students are sometimes exposed to particular risks of infection or contagion as part of their research work, during field trials or on excursions, which can be minimised by getting Download vaccinated (PDF, 133 KB) . The costs for the vaccination of ETH employees who require a special vaccination because of their work for ETH are borne by ETH. The units concerned (professorships, institutes and other organisational units) are responsible for these costs. Students usually have to pay for their own vaccinations.

For advice and vaccinations, you can contact either the external page Travel Clinic / University of Zurich or the external page AEH Centre for Occupational Medicine, Ergonomics and Hygiene.

One of the special vaccinations for which information is most frequently sought is the tick vaccination. Information on tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) and vaccination is available from the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) "external page Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE)".

People who work outdoors are more exposed to the sun ¨C and therefore to carcinogenic ultraviolet radiation ¨C than people who work indoors. The exposure varies depending on the activity. Protective measures against UV radiation are necessary when working outdoors. It should be noted that technical measures such as the use of awnings and organisational solutions ¨C for example, rescheduling work to times with lower UV exposure, i.e. early in the morning or late in the afternoon ¨C take priority. If these measures are not sufficient or cannot be implemented, body-covering clothing and head protection must be worn. And finally, if no other protection is possible, use sunscreen with a high sun protection factor.
Note: In summer, protection is necessary even if you spend only a few minutes outdoors. Long-term skin damage can also occur without sunburn, and not only at work, but also during leisure time.
Do you regularly work in the mountains at ETH, are you a gardener, or do you regularly work outdoors and want to know whether you are adequately protected against UV rays?