High Risk Guide (HRG)

The BBC has special arrangements in place for high risk work. This includes: deployments to hostile environments which may be environmental (high altitude or desert) or man-made (conflicts, violent disorder); undertaking activities such as covert filming of dangerous groups; or covering events such as terrorist incidents, natural disasters or pandemic diseases.

For any high-risk or travel advisory task, you must contact the High Risk and News Safety team for advice and support. If you aren't sure if your task falls into either of these two categories, still contact the team who will be able to advise.

Full details are on the Definitions and Requirements Page

Definitions

Definitions and requirements of the High Risk Policy for those working in hostile environments and undertaking high risk activities

• High Risk:  High Risk is defined by the BBC as work that carries a significantly higher than normal risk of death or serious injury as a consequence of operating in, or being part of:
• Hostile Environments: A Hostile Environment is a country, region or specified area subject to war, insurrection, civil unrest, terrorism or extreme levels of crime, banditry, lawlessness or public disorder; or areas with extreme climate or terrain.
• High Risk Events: A High Risk Event might be riots, civil disturbance or extreme public disorder, terrorist or armed criminal incidents such as hi-jacking or sieges, any event involving chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) substances, extreme climatic events and natural disasters such as hurricanes, severe floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, etc. or outbreaks of serious diseases and pandemics. (Events will be designated as High Risk by the High Risk Team in discussion with News Group senior management)
• High Risk Activities: High Risk Activities are investigations involving covert surveillance or filming and/or confrontation of terrorist, serious organised criminal, extremist or violent political groups.
• Travel Advisory:  Travel Advisory Areas are countries that have specific safety or security risks not amounting to a Hostile Environment. Staff who are unfamiliar with the environment should take advice from either the High Risk team or the local bureau.

Key Requirements 

Anyone undertaking, or commissioning high risk work, is required, as far as practicably possible, to: 

• Seek information and advice from the High Risk Team.
• Complete a written Risk Assessment and apply the necessary safety control measures. 
• Ensure those involved have the right training and/or experience for the assignment. 
• Identify and use appropriate safety equipment. 
• Make adequate contingency plans and arrangements in case of emergency.
• Obtain the appropriate level of management authorisation, and notify and coordinate all deployments with Newsgathering (the lead department for the coordination of all deployments to Hostile Environments). 

Hostile Environments Defined

A Hostile Environment is defined as a country, region or specified area subject to war, insurrection, civil unrest, terrorism or extreme levels of crime, banditry or lawlessness, public disorder (G8 etc); or areas with extreme climatic conditions or terrain and natural disasters such as volcanos, earthquakes, tsunamis etc. 

Country List Pages

The Hostile Environment Country Pages list the countries, or areas of countries, that are currently designated as either Hostile Environment, Travel Advisory, or both.

If you are intending to visit a designated hostile environment or travel advisory country/area listed in the country pages table below, you must first contact the High Risk Team, (unless you are familiar with the environment in the case of Travel Advisory areas).

The list of countries classified as Hostile Environment is only accessible via the BBC Network, using the link below.

Travel Advisory

Travel Advisory Areas are countries that have specific safety or security risks not amounting to a Hostile Environment. Staff who are unfamiliar with the environment should take advice from the High Risk team or the local bureau.

You should also be aware that you might encounter High Risks Events, or undertake High Risk Activities in countries, regions or areas that are not normally designated as hostile. This can even happen in places that are normally otherwise regarded as low risk such as the UK.

The list of countries classified as Travel Advisory is only accessible via the BBC Network.