Locally and internationally, Mass General is making a difference in our global community. Our mission takes us to many cultures and locales with the overarching aim to work in partnership with others to understand and lessen the burden of disease and provide support and care to communities in need.

Our profession has long held principles about the work we do. These include “first, do no harm,” and second, “take care of oneself so you may care for others.” Such principles obligate us to ensure we take steps to keep ourselves healthy and safe as well as those we work with.

Therefore, the health, safety and security (HSS) of colleagues and collaborators as they travel around the world is our first concern.

To fulfill the mission and uphold the values of the Center for Global Health (CGH), we are committed to establishing safe and innovative ways for our programs and staff to work. CGH has developed an HSS framework using many of the resources and subject matter expertise already available through MGB.

Please visit the MGB TravelSafe page on Vitals (internal only) for additional information and resources.

HSS Focus Areas for Employees (go to section)   

Employees on approved travel have important roles and responsibilities. As an employee, you are responsible for exercising good judgement and ultimately for the decisions you make, for yourself, and as part of any group or team travel. Ensure that you are properly prepared and ready to adapt to the environment you find yourself traveling to and working in.

  • Staff preparation: our employees prepare for travel by completing a standard set of pre-travel steps.
  • Risk assessment and intelligence: we stay informed of the risks in places where we work, and we know where staff is and how to reach them.
  • Incident management and reporting: we have the information needed to respond to an adverse event and can efficiently work with the traveler and/or key contacts to ensure a safe resolution.

HSS Resources for Directors/Managers (go to section)

If you have staff that are or will be traveling in any capacity, visit this section for additional resources in the above focus areas that you should consider for your team. Our HSS team is available to assist any program directors and managers who wish to build a more comprehensive HSS profile for their program, department, or team.

Additional HSS Resources (go to section)

Contacts

Please do not hesitate to reach out to one of the below contacts with any questions or to set up a time to discuss any of the information found on this page.

FOCUS AREAS FOR EMPLOYEES

Staff Preparation

  • Understand your insurance coverage as part of the TravelSafe program.
  • Enroll in WorldCue, MGB’s web-based travel risk management system.
  • Review MGB travel policies and guidance on the TravelSafe site.
  • Complete an In Case of Emergency Form
  • Review MGB TravelSafe Global Travel Guidance and print the included Wallet Card
  • Enroll in the U.S. State Department Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (international travel only)
  • Create a personal Emergency Action Plan (EAP): This form can be as simple or complex as preferred and includes things such as destination information, personal contact and insurance information, emergency contact information, etc.  Click here for an EAP template.
  • Contact the MGH Travel and Immunization Center for a complete pre-travel medical evaluation, including education about prevention of illness and immunizations and prophylaxis.

Risk Assessment and Intelligence Tools

  • US State Department
    • Country Specific Information
    • Travel Advisories and Levels
  • Embassies and Consulates (location specific)
  • Worldcue Planner – available via TravelSafe page (intranet)

Incident Management and Reporting

  • Travelers: call the TravelSafe Hotline:
    • Domestic & International: +1 443-965-9242
    • Toll Free within the US: 1-866-647-9716
    • Notify someone within your department and or your manager

Contacts

Please do not hesitate to reach out to one of the below contacts with any questions or to set up a time to discuss any of the information found on this page.

RESOURCES FOR DIRECTORS/MANAGERS

As an employer, we are responsible for the welfare and wellbeing of those traveling on our behalf. Departments including leadership and managers are responsible for helping prepare travelers and for providing assistance in times of need. Directors and managers should develop and communicate clear health, safety and security (HSS) plans for traveling employees. This will improve staff preparation and response to travel-related incidents and better position employers to assist staff and respond appropriately to a range of unexpected incidents that may arise.

The following are some basic steps program directors and managers can take using existing resources offered by MGB. Our HSS team is available to assist any program directors who wish to build a more comprehensive HSS profile for the program, department or team (contact TravelSafe@partners.org).

Staff Preparation

  • Emergency Action Plan: have your staff complete a personal Emergency Action Plan (EAP) prior to travel. This form can be as simple or complex as preferred and includes items such as destination information, personal contact and insurance information, emergency contact information, etc.  Click here for an EAP template.

Risk Assessment and Intelligence Tools

  • WorldAware (an MGB travel risk management vendor): intelligence and employee itinerary monitoring is available through WorldAware for program directors/managers and includes resources such as the following:
    • Travel Intelligence
    • Itinerary Tracking
    • Active Alerts
    • Location Alerts via Worldcue “Sites”

Incident Management and Reporting

  • Program Directors should call the TravelSafe Hotline (numbers below) if made aware of an issue with a traveling staff member. When necessary, a TravelSafe Incident Management Team made up of key stakeholders will be assembled to discuss the case and next steps.
    • Domestic & International: +1 443-965-9242
    • Toll Free within the US: 1-866-647-9716

Contact TravelSafe@partners.org for more information on setting up a WorldAware account for your team.

ADDITIONAL HSS RESOURCES

Health Resources

Safety and Security Resources

  • Free Online Trainings
  • DisasterReady.org: a free online learning platform that prepares humanitarian and development professionals for work in a variety of areas. The site contains many resources of risk management and response.