ALASKA: A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS PLACE FOR WORKERS?

It appears that fatality risks may be particularly high in workplaces here in Alaska. Recently released federal data points to the state leading the nation in workplace deaths.

The statistics, from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, regard workplace death rates in the U.S. in 2017. According to this data, that year, Alaska saw 10.2 workplace deaths for every 100,000 full-time workers. This was just a little short of three times the national rate, which was 3.5 per 100,000. It was also the highest rate of any state in 2017.

And this was even with Alaska seeing a drop in death rate from the previous year. In 2016, the state’s workplace fatality rate was 10.6 per 100,000. That year, Alaska had the second highest rate in the nation, behind only Wyoming.

What do you think are the biggest factors behind Alaska’s high rates? Do you see Alaska as a particularly dangerous place to work? In your opinion, what are the biggest workplace safety issues and concerns in the state? Are there any particular added protections for workers you would like to see here in Alaska in upcoming years?

When workplace accidents result in serious injuries or deaths, workers’ compensation claims can provide an important path towards financial relief for workers and their families. Sometimes though, difficulties arise in pursuing such claims. Skilled attorneys can provide workers or families with assistance with navigating the situation when challenges come up in relation to claims connected to injury-causing or fatal workplace accidents here in Alaska.