Safety training at UNIS

Conducting fieldwork safely in Svalbard requires specific competencies, which is why relevant safety training is mandatory for all UNIS students, staff and other personnel who will be going into the field under the auspices of UNIS.

UNIS’ main safety course is for semester students starting in January. This week-long course is called “AS 101 – UNIS field safety course” and runs in the beginning of January every year. It provides a thorough introduction to the different risk scenarios in Svalbard during the winter season.

The week after we run this mandatory course again for PhD, Master students and permanent staff. We also have some places for external participants not affiliated with UNIS. If you are an external participant and want to know more about this course, please contact Arctic Safety Center by Stig Lunde stigl@unis.no

• If you are enrolled on an academic course at UNIS, necessary safety courses will be organized by the student administration, and you will automatically be signed up for the training you need. The content of your safety training will be partially adapted to the season, content and length of your course.

• If you are not enrolled in a course but are planning to conduct fieldwork with UNIS, you will have to sign up for relevant safety training yourself. Contact your academic department’s field engineer for guidance on what safety training you need.

All safety courses include a polar bear safety training with rifle shooting. If the polar bear safety training was conducted more than six months ago you are required to join a polar bear safety refresh course.

You will need additional courses if you plan to use snowmobile or boat transport as part of your fieldwork.

If you are not enroled in a course at UNIS, – or you need a refresh or other course outside your block start, you can register for safety training by using the link “UNIS Student/Staff safety courses” below.

We can sometimes set up extra dates on request. Please contact our head instructor ingridk@unis.no for inquiries.

External participants

Arctic Safety Center offers safety courses for external participants, not affiliated with UNIS. For more information about which courses we offer, prices and registration, use the link – “Arctic Safety Centre – External safety courses” below – or contact stigl@unis.no