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.
Wage and child labor law enforcement and training.
Electrical and mechanical code compliance inspection 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 and Health Achievement Recognition Program sites in Alaska.

Mission Results

Core Services

B: More Alaska residents hired and lawfully compensated. Details >

B1: 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.

Mission Results

Core Services

C: 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.

C1: 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.

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
2025	4	3.2
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 29 in the calendar year 2023. For more information go to: https://live.laborstats.alaska.gov/data-pages/workplace-fatalities
Related links:

Target Last Modified: 11/17/2025

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 2025	1.18	1.18	+16.8%
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 FY2025, there was an average of 337,996 employees and four (4) fatalities, resulting in a 1.18 percent fatality rate. Although the annual fatality rate has decreased, the five-year moving average continues to rise. As a result, AKOSH has not achieved its goal of a three percent reduction in the five-year moving fatality rate.

AKOSH will continue to work to reduce workplace fatalities through consultation and training services to help employers identify and mitigate hazards, enforcement and consultative activities focused on industries with historically high fatality rates, and targeted interventions addressed the most common causes of workplace deaths.
Related links:

Workplace Fatality Statistics

Target Last Modified: 11/17/2025

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 FY2025, Alaska Occupational Safety and Health (AKOSH) observed a continued decline in the total number of lost-time incidents. This trend reflects a gradual return to pre-COVID-19 levels for workplace injuries and illnesses resulting in time away from work. Compared to the previous year, AKOSH was just 0.22 percent short of achieving a reduction in the rate of workplace lost-time injuries and illnesses per 100 employees. Despite narrowly missing the target, the overall trend remains positive. 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: 12/10/2025

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 data from Workers" Compensation insurance claims data and employment statistics maintained by the department"s Research and Analysis section.

Note: On November 3, 2016, 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 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 2025	.50 -10.71%	1.36 +12.40%	3.92 -17.47%	.72 -1.37%
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) continues its mission to reduce workplace illnesses and injuries by focusing consultation and enforcement efforts on the causes of lost-time incidents in high-hazard industries. In FY2025, overall lost-time injuries and illnesses rate continued to decline across most Alaskan industries, however, the construction industry saw an uptick in lost-time incidents. Overall, high-hazard industries such as construction, healthcare and seafood processing are sloping toward pre-COVID-19 pandemic years.

In the prior year, AKOSH adopted the Federal Occupational Safety Health Administration`s Warehousing and Transportation National Emphasis Program. The focus of this program continues to be on inspecting warehousing and distribution center operations, mail/postal processing and distribution centers, parcel delivery/courier services, and certain high-injury-rate retail establishments.

In FY2025, AKOSH achieved a three percent reduction in lost-time injuries and illnesses per 100 employees in transportation and seafood processing industries. However, AKOSH observed a lost-time injury rate increase in construction and will continue to promote safety awareness and enforcement activity within this sector.
Related links:

Alaska nonfatal injury and illness statistics

Target Last Modified: 12/10/2025

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

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

Methodology: In 2025, Alaska Occupational Safety and Health (AKOSH) Consultation and Training began including Construction Health and Safety Excellence (CHASE) sites in their performance measures, since CHASE is included in the special achievement programs under the AKOSH umbrella. Totals sites for all reporting years above in the graph have been updated.

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

Fiscal Year	VPP Sites	SHARP Sites	CHASE Sites	%Change	Total Sites
FY 2025	7 -12.50%	14 0%	11 +22.22%	3%	32 +3.23%
FY 2024	8 0%	14 +7.69%	9 0%	3%	31 +3.33%
FY 2023	8 +14.29%	13 +18.18%	9 +12.50%	15%	30 +15.38%
FY 2022	7 0%	11 +22.22%	8 +33.33%	18%	26 +62.50%
FY 2021	7 0%	9 +50.00%	6 +20.00%	22%	16 +23.08%
FY 2020	7 -30.00%	6 +500.00%	5 0%	13%	13 -18.75%
FY 2019	10 +11.11%	1 -90.91%	5	-30%	16 -20.00%

Analysis of results and challenges: 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 FY2025, no new VPP sites were approved into the program, and one site withdrew due to elevated injuries and illnesses. The yearly total number of VPP sites is seven.

The Alaska Construction Health and Safety Excellence (CHASE) Program, developed by the Alaska Occupational Safety and Health (AKOSH) division, addresses Alaska`s high construction injury and fatality rates. Designed for the state`s unique work conditions, CHASE fosters a proactive partnership between licensed contractors and AKOSH. In FY2025, two new CHASE employers were approved into the program, and one CHASE employer moved from CHASE Golf program level to CHASE Flag, which is the highest level of the program.

The Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) targets smaller employers with less than 250 employees at a site and with 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 FY2025, two existing SHARP sites were removed: one due to elevated injuries and illnesses and the other due to the business location closing. Two new SHARP sites were approved into the program and six sites were renewed in SHARP, bringing the yearly total number of SHARP sites to 14.
Related links:

Target Last Modified: 12/10/2025

B: Result -More Alaska residents hired and lawfully compensated.

B1: 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	YTD
FY 2025	5.94 -29.70%	81%	97 +11.49%	0 0%
FY 2024	8.45 -65.48%	13.8%	87 +52.63%	0 0%
FY 2023	24.48 +132.92%	25.68%	57 -64.60%	0 0%
FY 2022	10.51 +33.04%	48.5%	161 +13.38%	0 0%
FY 2021	7.9 -44.76%	29.5%	142 -32.70%	0 0%
FY 2020	14.3	47%	211	0

Analysis of results and challenges: Wage and Hour (W&H) continued to improve its claim intake and processing procedures in FY2025, resulting in a substantial and measurable reduction in the number of invalid wage claims received. The refined intake process has strengthened initial claim screening, ensuring that investigative resources are directed toward valid and actionable complaints.

Since FY2023, W&H has operated under staffing constraints that have limited the types of claims accepted. During this period, the division prioritized enforcement of minimum wage and overtime violations to maintain the most critical components of worker protection while managing limited investigative capacity. Despite these challenges, the division achieved its goal of significantly reducing the average claim resolution time, reflecting both improved case management efficiency and targeted use of available resources.

W&H also continued to emphasize proactive enforcement activities designed to prevent wage violations before they require a wage claim. Through direct employer engagement, educational outreach, and early intervention, the division has successfully resolved issues without the need for formal claims, thereby improving compliance outcomes and reducing the overall administrative burden on both employers and employees.

Target Last Modified: 12/10/2025

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	YTD
FY 2025	3,531 -35.02%	0 0%
FY 2024	5,434 +16.14%	0 0%
FY 2023	4,679 +93.75%	0 0%
FY 2022	2,415 +56.72%	0 0%
FY 2021	1,541 -68.53%	0 0%
FY 2020	4,897	0

Analysis of results and challenges: Wage and Hour (W&H) continues to monitor the number of employer briefings conducted as a core strategy to promote compliance and reduce the number of wage claims filed. Employer briefings include seminars, on-site visits, and timely responses to employer inquiries. Given Alaska`s dynamic business environment, regular employer engagement remains an essential educational tool to increase awareness and understanding of W&H requirements.

Although the number of employer briefings reported for FY2025 shows a decrease from the prior year, this decline is attributed in part to staffing turnover and incomplete data collection during the reporting period. The recorded figure does not fully capture the total number of briefings conducted. A new data management program has been instituted that should eliminate this issue in the future.

W&H continues to face operational challenges in providing on-site inspections and education across Alaska`s communities. Limited travel funding and the high cost of travel to rural areas constrain the division`s ability to conduct in-person outreach. Additionally, existing staff continue to manage a high volume of youth work permit processing, which further impacts field availability.

To address these limitations, W&H continued to expand its use of virtual platforms in FY2025, delivering monthly online seminars and telephonic conferences for employers and employees. This approach has significantly increased outreach capacity, particularly for rural and remote communities. Tailored webinars targeting specific industries have also been utilized to improve compliance education and provide timely information on key labor requirements. Following the passage of Ballot Measure 1 in late 2024, which established Alaska`s paid sick leave requirements, W&H conducted multiple educational presentations to assist employers in understanding and implementing the new provisions. Leveraging the webinar format W&H was able to bring this much needed information to every corner of the state.

W&H also experienced continued staff turnover during FY2025, though retention improved in several key positions. As staffing stability increased, the section achieved faster response times and enhanced service quality in employer outreach activities. This positive trend is expected to continue into FY2026 as workforce development and training initiatives progress.

Target Last Modified: 12/10/2025

C: 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 FY2010 through FY2025 reporting periods, Mechanical Inspection (MI) did not receive any reports of incidents causing loss of life or property within their jurisdiction. MI 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. MI continues to strive to inspect boilers, pressure vessels, and elevators by inspection due date and eliminate code violations. MI 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: 11/17/2025

C1: 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.

Percent of Timely Boiler and Pressure Vessels Inspections

Fiscal Year	Total Inspections Due	# Inspections Completed	% Inspected Timely
FY 2025	13,280	6,333	52%
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. Boiler Inspector positions also continue to be very difficult to recruit in Alaska. These factors continue to make timely rural inspections challenging. Mechanical Inspection (MI) encouraged more third-party insurance inspections to help fill this gap.

Note: *In FY2024, MI implemented a change in the methodology to calculate the percentage of timely boiler and pressure vessel inspections. The former way of reporting was based on estimated inspections due and completed. Starting in 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 the number of 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: 12/10/2025

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

Methodology: Mechanical Inspection staff perform inspections and track 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, the section was functioning with a reduced staff of two Inspectors. Limited travel funds also directly impact on the section`s delivery of this service. Electrical Inspector positions are not revenue-generating and receipts have not increased with expenses.

Target Last Modified: 11/17/2025

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 was restricted this year due to budget, and inspections were only performed in areas where we have an inspector.

Target Last Modified: 11/17/2025

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 2025	653 +5.32%	373 -32.79%	57%
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 plus acceptance inspections. One of our two employees was unable to perform field inspections for a significant portion of the year.

Target Last Modified: 11/17/2025

Last refreshed: 01/20/2026 05:00 pm