Risk assessment

Risk assessment is an important part of planning and carrying out your project in Ny-Ålesund.

In connection with field work you need to consider the rapidly changing and sometimes extreme weather conditions, the physical environment (glacier crevasses, avalanches, drifting icebergs, unstable sea-ice), the fauna (e.g. polar bears) and the limited search and rescue capacity, poor communications coverage etc.

Even though you may not be leaving Ny-Ålesund itself, you have to think about safety when working in the laboratories. 

All institutions and/or visiting researchers should take an active role in analyzing and managing risk in order to prevent accidents or injuries associated with activities, to minimise any negative impact on the environment, and to ensure a safe work environment.

A thorough risk assessment could include the following steps:

• Risk identification and assessment – What can go wrong? 
• Protective measures – Minimise risk & problems 
• Accident management and rescue – Minimise damage. 

The assessment should – as a minimum – address the following topics:

• Fieldwork incl. weather conditions, clothing in the Arctic, cold related injuries, etc.
• Handling of rifles and signal guns
• Driving snowmobiles
• Driving and working on sea ice
• Driving and working on glaciers
• Snow & avalanches
• Special environmental rules and conditions in Svalbard, e.g. rabies.

Risk assessment should be addressed during the in-brief at the host institution prior to starting fieldwork.

The Governor of Svalbard’s web site provides guides and field logs which might be helpful when planning your fieldwork.

The University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS) provides useful information related to Health, Safety and Environment (HSE). UNIS also operates the Arctic Safety Centre, and offers safety courses which address risks and challenges particularly relevant to the Arctic and to Svalbard.

Contact UNIS for further information

Any researcher or research group with activity in Ny-Ålesund is responsible for her/his/their own safety (unless the institution hosting the activities takes this responsibility and for example accompanies research team out in the field).