When moving to Russia, as any foreign country, you may face differences in the cultural and legal environment. To reduce the stress associated with relocation and integration, we highly recommended that you get acquainted in advance with the local administrative rules, safety and security regulations at HSE, its internal rules and guidelines.

Violations and fines in Russia

Within the state security policy you can be stopped by a police officer on the street / in a public place for documents check. Please learn the Guidance on encounters with the police for foreign nationals .
 

According to the Code of Administrative Offences of the Russian Federation you can be arrested and fined for:

• Smoking in public places
• Drinking Alcohol and Alcoholic Products in Public Places
• Taking Drugs or Psychotropic Substances in Public Places
• Appearing in Public Places in a State of Alcoholic Intoxication
• Disorderly Conduct
• Causing a disturbance at night-time 

Please abstain from smoking and consuming alcohol, including beer, in places other than those specially designated for these purposes, like bars, cafes, clubs.

In addition, please be kindly advised of the following recommendations to avoid most widespread hardships and hazards.
 

Escape Planning and Fire Safety

At work

• Building evacuation plans are posted on each floor in each HSE-Perm’s building. Learn your building’s plan(s). Know at least two ways out of the building.
• If the smoke alarm or fire alarm sounds, get out of the building quickly and stay out. If you have to escape through smoke, get low and go under the smoke to your way out.
• People responsible for fire safety at HSE-Perm will call the fire department.

Outside work

• Plan places where your family will meet, both within and outside of your immediate neighborhood.
• Become familiar with routes and other means of transportation out of your area. Choose several destinations in different directions so you have options in an emergency.
• Leave early enough to avoid being trapped by severe weather.
• Follow recommended evacuation routes. Do not take shortcuts; they may be blocked.
• Be alert for road hazards such as washed-out roads or bridges and downed power lines. Do not drive into flooded areas.
• If you do not have a car, plan how you will leave if you have to. Make arrangements with family, friends or your local government.
• Stay in the kitchen, when cooking in the apartment. Cook only when you are alert, not sleepy or drowsy from medicine/ alcohol.

Electrical safety

220 VOLTS, 50 Hz is the standard electrical voltage throughout Russia. To use electrical appliances you will need a converter /plug adapter.

For more safety tips, please refer to http://www.hse.gov.uk/toolbox/electrical.htm
 

If Arrested or Taken to a Police Station

• Avoid walking on the street at night or late in the evening.
• Avoid walking in an unknown neighborhood (unless you are accompanied by a Russian colleague from HSE-Perm’). 
• Although we are not working in an industrial environment, to ensure your safety in a foreign country, try to keep the two-man rule: avoid walking alone at any time of the day.
• If you happen to be stopped by the local police, do not panic.

Road safety

Crossing streets

When crossing streets, use marked crosswalks and look carefully before you cross the street. Do not expect cars to stop for pedestrians – sometimes they expect you to stop for them! Do not ever attempt to jaywalk on busy streets.

Taxi

If you do not speak Russian, it would not be a good idea to take a taxi due to communication problems. However, if you are with a Russian speaker, you can flag down taxis in the street. Agree to a fare before getting in the car.

Suggested taxi services:

Yandex taxi

Uber

For more, please see:http://vse-taxi.com/taxi-perm.aspx