HIGH RISK POLICY

INTRODUCTION 1
RISK ASSESSMENT 3
RIGHT TO DECLINE 4
EMERGENCY PLANNING - CRISIS MANAGEMENT 4
RESPONSIBILITIES 6
VIOLENCE 13
INTRODUCTION
The BBC has special arrangements in place for high risk work. This includes deployments to hostile environments, undertaking activities such as covert filming of dangerous groups, and covering events such as terrorist incidents, natural disasters or pandemic diseases. High Risk is defined more fully below.
Definition of High Risk & Travel Advisory terms
High Risk is defined as a significantly higher than normal risk of death or serious injury resulting from: • Hostile Environments – 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 Activities - investigations involving covert surveillance or filming and/or confrontation of terrorist, serious criminal, extremist or violent political groups. • High Risk Events -riots, civil disturbance or extreme public disorder, terrorist or armed criminal incidents such as hi-jacking or sieges, any event involving chemical, biological or radiological (CBR) substances, extreme climatic events and natural disasters such as hurricanes, severe floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, etc. or outbreaks of serious diseases and pandemics.
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 local bureau.
The High Risk Guidelines apply to: • All BBC and independent productions commissioned by the BBC • All divisions including commercial divisions, World Service, BBC Monitoring and the World Service Trust. • All contracted BBC