Safety in Ny-Ålesund

Watchman

Kings Bay’s power station watchman is on duty 24/7. Please contact the watchman if you see a polar bear inside Ny-Ålesund, or close to Ny-Ålesund, if you detect a fire, water leakage, etc, or in case of accidents. The Watchman’s phone number is +4779027238. On the landline phones, you can dial #9.

Polar bears

If you see a polar bear close to or inside Ny-Ålesund, call the Watchman (9) immediately and keep a safe distance, preferably inside.

The watchman will then send out a short warning to all institution leaders/on duty personnel (on the new radio system), who will notify their researchers in Ny-Ålesund.

“All institutions present, all institutions present. This is the Watchman, this is the Watchman. Polar bear sighted …(location)……, Polar bear sighted …(location)…….”

Please note that a polar bear on one side of Ny-Ålesund quickly can move to the other side. After work hours more information is to be found on the white board in the reception area.

Polar bear measures zone and unload weapon zone in Ny-Ålesund

The map below shows the area where measures are to be taken towards polar bears, and also the area where all weapons should be unloaded.

The read line gives the polar bear measure zone. Inside this zone the Kings Bay Watchmen will take action if a polar bear approach. The Watchmen will not apply more actions in chasing the bear away than necessary. Since often the bear just passes through areas close to the line, the Watchmen will often therefore only need to keep an eye on the situation until it is resolved. Outside of this line the bear will only be chased away if there are special circumstances.

The blue line gives the unload weapon zone. Inside this zone all weapons need to be unloaded and emptied. Unloaded and emptied weapons need to have the bolt/slide/drum open unless holstered or bagged when in this zone.

Fire

Information on how to act in case of a fire is posted at the entrance of every living quarter and on the room doors. Make sure you are familiar with the procedures during fires.

Siren/Warning signal

In case of a fire or major accident a siren will go off in town. If this happens, assemble in front of the Service Building.

Safety in the lab

Risk assessments and mitigations in the lab should follow the host institution’s own procedures. The responsibility for methods, use of chemicals, and laboratory work routines lies solely with the user. Users should familiarise themselves with current procedures and sign the lab user agreement to prove that they will comply with the Kings Bay laboratories user routines as described in the HSE user agreement.