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.
![]() |
Core Services | ||||
|
| ||||
![]() |
Core Services | ||||
|
| ||||
![]() |
Core Services | ||||
|
|
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.
Number of Workplace Fatalities in Alaska Occupational Safety and Health Jurisdiction
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). 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 jurisdiction and annual fluctuations, it is more meaningful to view the program’s success as an average for the previous five year period. Just five years ago in FY2014 the five-year average was 5.5 fatalities per year in AKOSH jurisdiction. The FY2019 five year average has been reduced by nearly 50 percent, to 3.0 fatalities per 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 and the data is generally two years behind. The statewide number of fatalities in all jurisdictions was 33 in CY2017. For more information go to: https://www.bls.gov/iif/oshwc/cfoi/tgs/2017/iiffw02.htm Related links:
|
Target #2: 3% percent reduction in the five-year moving average rate of workplace fatalities per 100,000 employees.
Five-Year Average Rate of Workplace Fatalities per 100,000 Employees
Analysis of results and challenges: This statistic is calculated using workplace fatality reports submitted to the Alaska Occupational Safety and Health (AKOSH) section and employment statistics maintained by the department's Labor Market Information section. Even though AKOSH was not able to achieve the three percent reduction target for FY2018 in the workplace fatality five-year average, the five-year average rate remained the same. In FY2018, there was an average of 327,683 employees and four fatalities, resulting in a 1.22 fatality rate. 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:
|
Target #3: 2% percent per year reduction in the rate of workplace lost time injuries and illnesses per 100 employees.
Analysis of results and challenges: Since FY2010, the Alaska Occupational Safety and Health (AKOSH) program has reduced the workplace illness and injury rate by 31 percent by targeting consultation and enforcement efforts on the causes of illnesses and injuries in industries and employers with high incident rates. This effort has resulted in an ongoing reduction in rates. The five-year strategic plan that began in FY2019 concentrates on the construction, healthcare and seafood processing industries that have relatively high rates. Related links:
|
Target #4: 3% reduction per year in lost time injuries and illnesses per 100 employees in the construction, healthcare, transportation, and seafood processing industries.
Workplace Lost Time Injuries and Illnesses Rate per 100 Employees in Construction, Healthcare, Transportation and Seafood Processing Industries
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 workday illnesses and injuries in high hazard industries. In FY2019, AKOSH has redirected efforts from transportation towards the healthcare industry to reduce its high hazard rate and to prevent occupational fatalities, injuries, and illnesses among Alaskan workers. FY2019 is the base year for the healthcare industry. In FY2019 AKOSH achieved a three percent reduction in the construction and seafood processing industries. AKOSH will continue to strive to achieve the overall downward trend in all tracked industries. Related links:
|
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
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 total. These smaller employers require additional assistance to establish the safety and health protocols and performance to participate in SHARP. The program provides an employer with the knowledge and motivation to take control of safety and health performance. In 2019, an audit revealed that 10 of the 11 SHARP sites had failed to maintain qualifications due to turnover of the SHARP Coordinator position and missed deadline to renew for the program. The AKOSH section is refocusing efforts on assisting small employers and promoting participation in SHARP. In August 2019 5 new SHARP sites were admitted into the program and 3 more are in process of being renewed. 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 relatively few employers large enough to apply or to meet the necessary criteria. Efforts to improve promoting the benefits of the cooperative programs to businesses will increase. Consultants will work in partnership with businesses to assist with the development, implementation and maintenance of occupational safety and health programs and performance necessary to meet VPP and SHARP participation standards. Through government-industry partnerships in programs like VPP and SHARP, AKOSH will demonstrate the value of outstanding safety and health performance on profitability and workforce productivity. Related links:
|
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.
Analysis of results and challenges: Mechanical Inspection tracks the specific number of incidents causing loss of life or property as a result of unsafe boilers or pressure vessels, plumbing and electrical work and elevators. Mechanical Inspection will 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 pursue 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:
|
B1: Core Service - Electrical and mechanical code compliance inspection and training. |
Target #2: Conduct 900 electrical code inspections per year.
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. Limited travel funds also directly impact our delivery of this service. |
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. The section was able to exceed its inspection goal for the first time in FY2019 due to increased inspection emphasis by program staff. Travel costs continue to impact Mechanical Inspection’s ability to provide complete inspection coverage statewide. |
Target #4: Inspect 90 percent of elevators and escalators timely.
Percent of Elevator and Escalator Inspections Completed Timely
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. The program had a full inspection staff for the duration of FY2019, and was able to exceed the inspection goal for the year. Travel costs continue to impact Mechanical Inspection’s ability to inspect every object on time. |
Target #5: Inspect 90% of Boiler vessel units timely
Percent of Boiler Unit Inspections Completed Timely
Analysis of results and challenges: The total objects represents the total number of active objects subject to inspection statewide (state, owner/user, and insurance company inspections). In FY2019 the section fell short of maintaining the goal inspecting 90% of boilers and pressure vessels timely. Travel budget constraints and personnel turnover are the have the largest effect on section efficiency in this area. |
C: Result - More Alaska residents hired and lawfully compensated. |
C1: Core Service - Wage and child labor law enforcement and training. |
Target #1: Maintain average wage claim resolution time to six months or less.
Analysis of results and challenges: Wage and Hour is approaching the target of average wage claim resolution time due to increased staff. By focusing on closing older claims, the resolution time average stays above the target. This was selected by Wage and Hour as a fair and reasonable timeline to complete investigative actions on wage claims. A short turnaround time is valuable to both employees and employers Related links:
|
Target #2: Provide Wage and Hour briefings to employers
Analysis of results and challenges: Wage and Hour currently tracks the number of employer briefings which are 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. Wage and Hour continues to focus efforts on proactive measures to assist employers with understanding the legal requirements. A division-wide reorganization temporarily reduced Wage and Hour's number of employee briefings as two front-line administrative staff were reassigned to other duties. However, Wage and Hour has employed three new investigators and as they become more trained, the numbers are expected to increase. |
Current as of December 6, 2019