A Guide to International Health and Safety

When you’re abroad, whether for business or leisure, it’s important to be aware of the local laws on health and safety. That’s because there are no legally binding laws that cover every nation. Instead, each country sets its own rules, which apply to companies, employers, employees, and travellers.

If you’ve suffered an injury abroad, knowing where you stand legally can help you take the right steps, including making a compensation claim.

In this guide we will cover:

• What international health and safety legislation is and how it works

• How health and safety laws differ between countries

• The role of international bodies like the ILO and ISO

• Why international health and safety standards matter for workers and travellers

• Practical health and safety advice when working or travelling abroad

• What to do if you’re injured overseas and your legal options

What is international health and safety legislation?

International health and safety legislation is actually a set of global standards. These standards are there to help companies and governments follow best practice in the event of an incident.

Countries can choose to incorporate these best practice guidelines into their national laws. If they do, they are mandatory and enforceable by the courts. If they don’t, there’s no legal obligation to follow them.

International health and safety bodies and frameworks

There are different bodies that create international health and safety frameworks. Two of the major bodies are:

• International Labour Organisation (ILO): There are over 40 ILO conventions on health and safety.
• International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO): The ISO publishes a range of voluntary standards, including the well-known ISO 45001.

Sometimes, countries agree to work to the same or similar standards. For example, the EU’s Framework Directive (89/391/EEC) requires employers to assess workplace risks. ASEAN produces guidelines on workplace safety, but, unlike EU directives, they’re not legally binding.

Why is international health and safety legislation important?

International health and safety legislation is important because it:

• Protects workers and travellers abroad: The ILO estimates that over 2.78 million people die each year from accidents or diseases at work.
• Imposes a duty of care: UK employers must assess risks, provide training, and ensure access to medical help to workers abroad.
• Reduces risk of injury: The laws reduce the risk of injury and death by promoting safer working conditions.
• Promotes accountability: Businesses meeting the required standards stay compliant and protect their reputations.

How international health and safety legislation differs around the world

Health and safety laws vary greatly between countries. Some countries, like the UK, have clear health and safety laws with the systems to back up enforcement. Other countries, especially those with limited resources, often have less strict laws and less effective enforcement.

International health and safety in the European Union

The EU issues many health and safety rules on matters varying from PPE to exposure to chemicals. Some become law in each member country, while directives allow separate countries to set their own rules.

International health and safety in the United States

In the USA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets workplace safety laws across the country as a whole. However, some states vary in how they apply these laws.

Health and safety in other regions of the world

Nations, such as Australia, Canada, and Japan, have strong health and safety protections. As with the UK, many governments choose to model themselves against international standards.

Developing nations often have much weaker protections, especially for informal workers. Enforcement can also be poor, meaning employers and businesses that ignore the laws may go unpunished.

Different laws and standards present major challenges for firms that operate in multiple countries. This is because what’s acceptable in one country may break the law in another.

International health and safety standards

Even if the law doesn’t require them in some countries, many firms choose to follow international guidelines from bodies like the ILO to provide consistent protection around the world.

Two examples include:

ISO 45001 and occupational health and safety

The ISO 45001 standard sets out the requirements for effective safety management systems. It covers hazard identification, risk assessment, and continuous improvement.

International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions

Key ILO health and safety conventions include:

• Convention No. 155: Workplace safety principles
• Convention No. 187: Continuous improvement

These standards have had an influence on many countries, such as China and South Africa. This means these countries have changed their laws to reflect international best practice.

The role of international health and safety consultants

International health and safety consultants help businesses manage safety across borders. They use their specialist knowledge to help businesses comply with the law, wherever they have a presence.

Major parts of their roles include:

• Running risk assessment to identify hazards
• Developing safety procedures
• Training staff on local health and safety requirements

Consultants help simplify compliance and give businesses confidence they’re following the law.

Health and safety abroad: Practical advice

Knowing local health and safety risks and preparing in advance for how to mitigate them will help you avoid these hazards when you arrive.

1. Health precautions before you travel

Speak to your GP about vaccinations six to eight weeks before you travel.

Access to healthcare in other countries varies, so make sure you take with you a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) to cover medical costs. Many travel experts also recommend taking out travel and health insurance.

2. Personal safety and risk reduction abroad

Keep valuables secure and out of sight. Try to be as aware of your surroundings as you can, especially if you’re in an area you’re unfamiliar with.

Also, avoid the same risky behaviour you would at home, like going to poorly lit places at night. Check with the local police if they have any materials they can share with you on safety advice in their area.

3. Water, food, and hygiene safety

In countries with poor sanitation, make sure you avoid tap water and ice, drinking only bottled water with intact seals.

Food hygiene is important, too. Eat freshly cooked food, and avoid any raw vegetables that might have been washed in unsafe water.

4. Staying connected and asking for help

Leave a travel trail by sharing your exact itinerary with family or colleagues. If you’re not where they expect you to be, they may raise the alarm before you have the chance to.

Save emergency contacts and local authorities’ numbers in your phone before you leave. Learn how to ask for medical help in the local language or load a translation app onto your mobile so you can still get help, even if no one speaks English.

Employer duty of care and international health and safety

If you’re abroad on work, your employer is still responsible for your health and safety. They should provide you with both travel planning and a full risk assessment before you go.

Companies should apply the same international standards as they do at home to maintain an appropriate level of safety everywhere.

What to do if you are injured abroad

If you’re injured abroad, act quickly and follow these steps:

• Report the incident to your hotel, tour operator, or employer
• Take photos of the scene and your injuries
• Collect eyewitness details

Local laws will apply, but international health and safety standards may also play a role. This is especially true if your accident happened at work or on a package holiday.

When you return home, seek legal advice from a specialist solicitor. If you booked a package holiday, you may claim against your tour operator in UK courts. For airline injuries, international conventions often allow UK-based claims.

To speak to Fletchers Solicitors about an international injury claim, either on holiday or at work, call 0330 013 0386. Or you can start your claim here.