Alaska (AKOSH)
Alaska Occupational Safety and Health (AKOSH), in the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, runs Alaska’s state plan for most private and public employers. Alaska’s remote worksites, extreme cold and long distances to medical care make planning especially important.
- Construction
- General Industry
- Public employees
- Alaska
At a glance
| Agency | AKOSH, Labor Standards and Safety Division, Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development |
|---|---|
| Covers | Most private employers and state and local government. Federal OSHA covers federal workers, most maritime work (including many fishing and seafood vessels), and some other workplaces. Mines fall under MSHA. |
| Rules | Federal standards adopted by Alaska, plus Alaska-specific rules in the Alaska Administrative Code (Title 8) |
| Free employer help | AKOSH Consultation and Training |
Key Alaska points
- Cold: extreme cold, wind and darkness affect outdoor work much of the year. See Cold Stress.
- Remote sites: villages, camps and pipeline and mining sites may be hours or days from a hospital. First aid training, communication plans and medevac arrangements matter. See Working Alone.
- Oil, gas and heavy industry: North Slope operations bring process safety, confined space and cold-weather equipment hazards.
- Water: docks, barges and cold water make drowning a serious risk. See Working Over Water.
- Small aircraft and boats are a common way to get to work; transportation is a leading cause of work deaths in Alaska.
Reporting injuries
Employers must report work-related deaths within 8 hours, and in-patient hospitalizations, amputations and loss of an eye within 24 hours. Check AKOSH for current procedures.
Complaints and retaliation
- File a safety complaint with AKOSH online, by phone or in writing.
- Alaska law protects workers from retaliation for safety complaints. Deadlines are short (generally 30 days), so file right away.
Note: This page is a summary. Check AKOSH’s website for current rules and contact information.
Standards & references
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