Performance Details

Department of Labor and Workforce Development - Labor Standards and Safety

Mission

Ensure safe and legal working conditions.

Core Services

Occupational safety and health, law enforcement, training, and consultation.
Electrical and mechanical code compliance inspection and training.
Wage and child labor law enforcement and training.

Mission Results

Core Services

A: Eliminate workplace fatalities and worker lost time injuries and illnesses caused by circumstances that are under Alaska Occupational Safety and Health (AKOSH) jurisdiction. Details >

TARGET #1: Reduce workplace fatalities in Alaska Occupational Safety and Health jurisdiction.

TARGET #2: Three percent reduction in the five-year moving average rate of workplace fatalities per 100,000 employees.

TARGET #3: Two percent per year reduction in the rate of workplace lost time injuries and illnesses per 100 employees.

TARGET #4: Three percent reduction per year in lost time injuries and illnesses per 100 employees in the construction, healthcare, transportation, and seafood processing industries.

A1: Occupational safety and health, law enforcement, training, and consultation. Details >

TARGET #1: Increase the number of Voluntary Protection Program and Safety & Health Achievement Recognition Program sites in Alaska.

Mission Results

Core Services

B: Reduce hazards to life and property posed by unsafe boilers/pressure vessels, plumbing, and electrical work and elevators within Mechanical Inspection"s jurisdiction. Details >

TARGET #1: No loss of life or property caused by unsafe boilers/pressure vessels, plumbing, and electrical work and elevators.

B1: Electrical and mechanical code compliance inspection and training. Details >

TARGET #1: Inspect 90 percent of boilers and pressure vessels timely.

TARGET #2: Conduct 900 electrical code inspections per year.

TARGET #3: Conduct 800 plumbing code inspections per year.

TARGET #4: Inspect 90 percent of elevators and escalators timely.

Mission Results

Core Services

C: Eliminate workplace fatalities and worker lost time injuries and illnesses caused by circumstances that are under Alaska Occupational Safety and Health (AKOSH) jurisdiction. Details >

C1: Wage and child labor law enforcement and training. Details >

TARGET #1: Maintain average wage claim resolution time to six months or less.

TARGET #2: Provide Wage and Hour Briefings to Employers.

Performance Detail

A: Result -Eliminate workplace fatalities and worker lost time injuries and illnesses caused by circumstances that are under Alaska Occupational Safety and Health (AKOSH) jurisdiction.

Target #1: Reduce workplace fatalities in Alaska Occupational Safety and Health jurisdiction.

Methodology: The number of workplace fatalities is calculated using fatality reports submitted to AKOSH.

Number of Workplace Fatalities in Alaska Occupational Safety and Health Jurisdiction

Year	Fatalities	Prior Five-Year Average
2024	5	2.8
2023	3	3
2022	3	3.2
2021	4	2.8
2020	1	3
2019	3	3

Analysis of results and challenges: The number of workplace fatalities by fiscal year is calculated using fatality reports submitted within the jurisdiction of the Alaska Occupational Safety and Health Section (AKOSH) enforcement program. AKOSH works to reduce workplace fatalities through consultation and enforcement inspections by targeting industries with high fatality rates and eliminating the most prevalent causes of fatalities.

Due to the relatively small number of workplace fatalities in AKOSH"s jurisdiction as well as annual fluctuations, it is more meaningful to view the program"s success as an average for the previous five-year period. The number of fatalities has decreased from the previous fiscal year.

As many of AKOSH"s promotion, consultation, and training efforts affect industries beyond AKOSH"s enforcement jurisdiction, it is useful to evaluate overall workplace fatality numbers in Alaska. Unfortunately, the only recognized source for this data is the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the data is generally two years behind. The statewide number of fatalities in all jurisdictions was 20 in the calendar year 2022. For more information go to: https://www.bls.gov/iif/state-data/fatal-occupational-injuries-in-alaska-2022.htm
Related links:

Target Last Modified: 11/14/2024

Target #2: Three percent reduction in the five-year moving average rate of workplace fatalities per 100,000 employees.

Five-Year Average Rate per 100,000 Employees in Occupational Safety and Health Jurisdiction

Fiscal Year	Yearly Rate	Five-Year Average	Five-Year Avg. % Change
FY 2024	1.51	.81	-9
FY 2023	.93	.89	-6.3%
FY 2022	.96	.95	-5%
FY 2021	1.34	1	+17%
FY 2020	.31	.85	-5.6
FY 2019	.91	.9	0%

Analysis of results and challenges: This statistic is calculated using workplace fatality reports submitted to the Alaska Occupational Safety and Health (AKOSH) section as well as employment statistics maintained by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development"s Labor Market Information section. In FY 2024, there was an average of 330,717 employees and five (5) fatalities, resulting in a 1.51 percent fatality rate. The five-year moving average has decreased by 9 percent, therefore, AKOSH had achieved the three percent target reduction achievements in the five-year moving average.

AKOSH will continue to work to reduce workplace fatalities through a combination of consultation and enforcement activities targeted on eliminating the most prevalent causes of fatalities in industries with high fatality rates.
Related links:

Workplace Fatality Statistics

Target Last Modified: 11/14/2024

Target #3: Two percent per year reduction in the rate of workplace lost time injuries and illnesses per 100 employees.

Methodology: Rates are calculated for the state fiscal year as of June 30.

Analysis of results and challenges: In FY2024 Alaska Occupational Safety and Health (AKOSH) witnessed a continued decrease in the total number of lost time incidents. Statistics for workplace lost time injuries and illnesses are slowly returning to pre-COVID rates. In comparison to previous year, AKOSH achieved a decrease in the rate of workplace lost time injuries and illnesses per 100 employees. AKOSH is committed to reducing illnesses and injuries by targeting consultation and enforcement efforts on the causes of lost work illnesses and injuries in all industries across Alaska.
Related links:

Target Last Modified: 11/14/2024

Target #4: Three percent reduction per year in lost time injuries and illnesses per 100 employees in the construction, healthcare, transportation, and seafood processing industries.

Methodology: Rates are calculated based on Workers" Compensation reports of lost work incidents each year divided by the average annual number of employees in each industry category according to data produced by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development"s Research and Analysis Section (non-seasonally adjusted). Each result is multiplied by 100 employees to establish the lost time rate per 100 employees in each industry. AKOSH obtains illness and injury dat in each industry. AKOSH obtains illness and injury data from Workers" Compensation insurance claims data and employment statistics maintained by the department"s Research and Analysis section.

Note: On 11/3/16, published data for FY2014 and FY2015 wase: On 11/3/16, published data for FY2014 and FY2015 was updated with more accurate numbers. Previous data was affected by a software migration that occurred in July of 2013. Workers" Compensation moved to a new system and this resulted in inaccurate querid to a new system and this resulted in inaccurate queries. Also, around that time the data collection process moved from paper to electronic.

Workplace Lost Time Injuries and Illnesses Rate per 100 Employees in Construction, Healthcare, Transportation and Seafood Processing Industries

Fiscal Year	Trans. Rate	Const. Rate	Seafood Rate	Healthcare rate
FY 2024	.56 0%	1.21 -16.55%	4.75 -3.26%	.73 -23.96%
FY 2023	0 0%	1.45 -19.44%	4.91 -31.04%	.96 -30.94%
FY 2022	0 0%	1.80 +2.86%	7.12 -37.82%	1.39 -6.08%
FY 2021	0 0%	1.75 +26.81%	11.45 +224.36%	1.48 +25.42%
FY 2020	0	1.38 +15.00%	3.53 -9.02%	1.18 +21.65%
FY 2019		1.2 -7.69%	3.88 -3.72%	0.97

Analysis of results and challenges: Alaska Occupational Safety and Health (AKOSH) works to reduce illnesses and injuries by targeting consultation and enforcement efforts on the causes of lost work illnesses and injuries in high hazard industries. In FY 2024 AKOSH continued witnessing decrease in the number of lost time injuries and illnesses in workplaces across Alaska. Statistics for Alaskan high-hazard industries such as construction, healthcare and seafood processing are sloping toward pre-COVID-10 pandemic years.

In state fiscal year 2024 AKOSH adopted Federal OSHA`s Warehousing and Transportation National Emphasis Program. The focus of this program is on inspecting warehousing and distribution center operations, mail/postal processing and distribution centers, parcel delivery/courier services, and certain high injury rate retail establishments. Transportation and warehousing is now an additional focus for AKOSH enforcement and consultation and training activities.

In FY 2024 AKOSH had achieved a three percent reduction in lost time injuries and illnesses per 100 employees in construction, seafood processing and healthcare industries.
Related links:

Alaska nonfatal injury and illness statistics

Target Last Modified: 11/14/2024

A1: Core Service - Occupational safety and health, law enforcement, training, and consultation.

Target #1: Increase the number of Voluntary Protection Program and Safety & Health Achievement Recognition Program sites in Alaska.

Number of Voluntary Protection Program and Safety & Health Achievement Recognition Program Sites in Alaska

Fiscal Year	VPP Sites	SHARP Sites	Total Sites	%Change
FY 2024	7 0%	14 +7.69%	21 +5.00%	5%
FY 2023	7 0%	13 +18.18%	20 +11.11%	11%
FY 2022	7 0%	11 +22.22%	18 +12.50%	12.5%
FY 2021	7 0%	9 +50.00%	16 +23.08%	23%
FY 2020	7 -30.00%	6 +500.00%	13 +18.18%	18%
FY 2019	10 +11.11%	1 -90.91%	11 -45.00%	-45%

Analysis of results and challenges: The Safety & Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) targets smaller employers with less than 250 employees at a site and less than 500-employees company wide. These smaller employers require additional assistance to establish the safety and health protocols and performance to participate in SHARP. In FY 2024, a self-audit was conducted, one (1) new SHARP site was approved in the program, and two (2) sites were renewed in SHARP, bringing to total number of SHARP sites to 14.

The Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) is not limited by the number of employees the company has before applying for participation in the program; however, due to amount of time needed to submit an application and preparation time for meeting qualifications for the program, Alaska has few employers large enough to apply or to meet the necessary criteria. In FY 2024 no new VPP sites were approved into the program. The total number of VPP sites for FY 2024 remains at 7.
Related links:

Target Last Modified: 11/14/2024

B: Result -Reduce hazards to life and property posed by unsafe boilers/pressure vessels, plumbing, and electrical work and elevators within Mechanical Inspection"s jurisdiction.

Target #1: No loss of life or property caused by unsafe boilers/pressure vessels, plumbing, and electrical work and elevators.

Methodology: Mechanical Inspection did not receive any reports of these occurrences.

Analysis of results and challenges: During the FY2010 through FY2024 reporting periods, Mechanical Inspection did not receive any reports of incidents causing loss of life or property within their jurisdiction. Mechanical Inspection tracks the specific number of incidents causing loss of life or property because of unsafe boilers or pressure vessels, plumbing and electrical work, elevators, and recreational devices. Mechanical Inspection continues to strive to inspect boilers, pressure vessels, and elevators by the inspection due date and eliminate code violations. Mechanical Inspection will eliminate hazards to life and property by inspecting electrical and plumbing work and pursuing correction of any code or licensing violations identified. It is extremely important to maintain a zero-incident rate as a single incident could be catastrophic.
Related links:

Target Last Modified: 11/14/2024

B1: Core Service - Electrical and mechanical code compliance inspection and training.

Target #1: Inspect 90 percent of boilers and pressure vessels timely.

Methodology: Boiler and pressure vessels inspections are tracked through the Mechanical Inspection"s database. These results represent the number of inspections that came due in the respective fiscal year as a percentage of the total number of inspections.
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Percent of Timely Boiler and Pressure Vessels Inspections

Fiscal Year	Total Inspections Due	# Inspections Completed	% Inspected Timely
FY 2024	13,375	8,370	81%
FY 2023	12,704	8,780	69%
FY 2022	12,357	9,964	81%
FY 2021	12,382	8,731	71%
FY 2020	12,422	9,292	75%
FY 2019	12,545	11,521	92%

Analysis of results and challenges: Timely inspections are important for identifying and correcting code deficiencies in boilers and pressure vessels subject to inspections. Some regional or community inspections may be delayed due to steep rural travel costs, or other considerations until a significant number of objects in that region or community become due for inspection. Travel costs have risen dramatically while availability of flights and ferries decreased. Filling these positions is increasingly difficult. Boiler Inspector positions continue to be very difficult to recruit for in Alaska. These factors continue to make timely rural inspections challenging. Mechanical Inspection encouraged more third-party insurance inspections to help fill this gap.

Note: * In FY 2024 Mechanical Inspections implemented change in the methodology to calculate the percent of timely boiler and pressure vessel inspections. Former reporting was based on estimated inspections due and completed. 2024 data collected reflects a more useful method using Total objects (instead of Total Inspections Due) in the state and the number of those that are overdue (rather than # Inspections Completed). The number of objects is a more meaningful data point and yields the same percentage result. This implemented change consolidates both targets into a single data point.

Target Last Modified: 11/15/2024

Target #2: Conduct 900 electrical code inspections per year.

Methodology: Mechanical Inspection staff performs inspections and tracks the number performed. These results represent the number of inspections completed as a percentage of the number of inspections due.

Analysis of results and challenges: The total number of inspections due is based on a full staff of three Electrical Inspectors who conduct random field inspections. During this year, we were functioning with a reduced staff of two Inspectors. We lost one position and have another position vacant in Fairbanks. Limited travel funds also directly impact on Mechanical Inspection`s delivery of this service. These positions are not revenue-generating and receipts have not increased with expenses.

Target Last Modified: 11/14/2024

Target #3: Conduct 800 plumbing code inspections per year.

Analysis of results and challenges: The total number of inspections due is based on a staff of three full-time Plumbing Inspectors who conduct random field inspections. Travel costs continue to impact Mechanical Inspection"s ability to provide complete inspection coverage statewide.

Target Last Modified: 11/14/2024

Target #4: Inspect 90 percent of elevators and escalators timely.

Methodology: Elevator inspections are tracked through the Mechanical Inspections database on a two-year inspection cycle. These results represent the number of inspections completed as a percentage of the number of inspections due.

Percent of Elevator and Escalator Inspections Completed Timely

Fiscal Year	Total Inspections Due	# Inspections Completed	% Inspected Timely
FY 2024	620 +1.64%	555 -8.11%	90%
FY 2023	610 -1.61%	604 -2.27%	99%
FY 2022	620 +1.64%	618 +17.27%	99.68%
FY 2021	610 -1.61%	527 -4.53%	86%
FY 2020	620 +1.31%	552 -5.48%	89%
FY 2019	612 +2.86%	584 -2.99%	95%

Analysis of results and challenges: Devices in the elevator class are due for inspection every other year, and the number of inspections due reflects half of the number of active objects.

Target Last Modified: 05/30/2024

C: Result -Eliminate workplace fatalities and worker lost time injuries and illnesses caused by circumstances that are under Alaska Occupational Safety and Health (AKOSH) jurisdiction.

C1: Core Service - Wage and child labor law enforcement and training.

Target #1: Maintain average wage claim resolution time to six months or less.

Methodology: Days open at time of closure is maintained for every valid wage claim received by the Wage and Hour Administration

Average Number of Months to Resolve a Wage Claim

Fiscal Year	# Months	% Valid Wage Claims	# of Wage Claims	Column 4	YTD	Column 6	Column 7
FY 2024	8.45 -65.48%	13.8%	87 +52.63%	0 0%	0 0%	0 0%	0 0%
FY 2023	24.48 +132.92%	25.68%	57 -64.60%	0 0%	0 0%	0 0%	0 0%
FY 2022	10.51 +33.04%	48.5%	161 +13.38%	0 0%	0 0%	0 0%	0 0%
FY 2021	7.9 -44.76%	29.5%	142 -32.70%	0 0%	0 0%	0 0%	0 0%
FY 2020	14.3	47%	211	0	0	0	0

Analysis of results and challenges: Wage and Hour (W&H) has improved their claim intake process which has resulted in a noticeable and significant drop in invalid claims received. In FY2023, Wage and Hour experienced a staffing shortage. As a result, it had only been accepting minimum wage and overtime violation wage claims, this has continued in FY 2024. In 2024 complaints opened for well over 3 years were closed for the same employer, resulting in a high average number of months to resolve a wage claim. W&H`s expectation for the following year was to see a significant decrease in average claim resolution time, this was accomplished. Wage and Hour is now focused on increasing enforcement activities that will reduce the need for formal wage claims, proactively addressing issues before a claim is needed.
W&H is challenged with staffing shortages and great challenges in recruitment. Enforcement positions are difficult to fill because Investigators performing similar work in other sections are a higher job class, which results in less qualified applicants applying and our employees transferring for higher pay.

Target Last Modified: 11/14/2024

Target #2: Provide Wage and Hour Briefings to Employers.

Methodology: Wage and Hour maintains records of the number of briefings conducted for employers by Wage and Hour staff

Number of Employer Educational Briefings on Wage and Hour Issues

Fiscal Year	Number of Briefings	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4	YTD	Column 6	Column 7
FY 2024	5,434 +16.14%	0 0%	0 0%	0 0%	0 0%	0 0%	0 0%
FY 2023	4,679 +93.75%	0 0%	0 0%	0 0%	0 0%	0 0%	0 0%
FY 2022	2,415 +56.72%	0 0%	0 0%	0 0%	0 0%	0 0%	0 0%
FY 2021	1,541 -68.53%	0 0%	0 0%	0 0%	0 0%	0 0%	0 0%
FY 2020	4,897	0	0	0	0	0	0

Analysis of results and challenges: Wage and Hour (W&H) currently tracks the number of employer briefings, which is a strategy to reduce wage claims. Employer Briefings include seminars, on-site visits, and quick and accurate responses to employer inquiries. Alaska has a constantly changing business environment, and frequent briefings are an important employer education tool to help increase compliance with Wage and Hour regulations.
W&H is also challenged to continue providing on-site inspection and education to Alaska`s communities given the small travel budget, coupled with the high cost of rural travel. In FY 2024, W&H continued providing monthly virtual seminars for employers and employees thus greatly expanding its reach, especially in rural communities. The focus was on outreach to employers virtually and via telephonic conferences to deal with issues and complaints. Online webinars and personal webinars to specific industries have been the focus in getting the information out to the employer to keep in compliance.

In FY 2024, Wage and Hour experienced high staff turnover and difficulty in recruiting for vacant positions. As staffing levels improve, it should provide for a significant increase in educational briefings and on-site visits for employers and a stronger focus on proactive wage resolution with employers.

Target Last Modified: 11/14/2024

Last refreshed: 05/16/2025 12:00 pm