Part of the ASF policy framework, aligned with the equivalent PHIG policy. To raise a concern: see the ASF Complaints and Reporting Channel.
No programme, deadline or publication is worth a serious risk to a person’s life or health; any staff member may refuse or leave an unsafe situation without penalty. Owner: Operations Liaison, with the Security Focal Point (Tamar Talakvadze).
Duty of care and duty of responsibility
ASF provides information, training, insurance and support proportionate to the risks of each task. In return, every person follows security rules, keeps their manager informed of their whereabouts during fieldwork and travel, and reports incidents at once.
Risk thresholds
| Risk level | Meaning | Who approves the activity |
|---|---|---|
| Low | Routine office and domestic work in France | Line manager |
| Medium | Fieldwork in hospitals, rural areas or events; travel within the region | Operations Liaison, with a travel plan |
| High | Travel to areas with active conflict, unrest or serious crime; work with sensitive groups where hostility is possible | Operations Liaison + Chair, with a written security plan |
| Extreme | Risk to life that cannot be reduced | Not permitted |
Key standards
- Travel: every trip away from the traveller’s home base for work is logged with itinerary and contacts; international travel follows the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and host-country advice.
- Check-in: travellers in medium- or high-risk settings check in daily with the Security Focal Point.
- Insurance: staff on assignment abroad have health and emergency evacuation insurance.
- Health: vaccinations and first aid appropriate to the destination; road safety rules, including seat belts, apply to all ASF travel.
- Office security: access control, fire safety, first aid kit and an emergency contact list, tested each year.
- Digital security: strong passwords, two-factor authentication and caution with sensitive topics online (Policy 16).
- Crisis response: the Operations Liaison leads a crisis team (Chair, Security Focal Point, Safeguarding Lead) for any serious incident, with support to the staff member and family.
Incidents
All security incidents and near-misses are reported to the Security Focal Point within 24 hours (immediately if life-threatening) and handled under Policy 14.