Alaska Safety and Health Protection on the Job Poster Mandatory

SAFETY AND HEALTH PROTECTION ON THE JOB
ALASKA LAW AS 18.60.010 to .105 – provides safety and health protection for workers through promotion of safe and healthful working conditions
throughout the State. Requirements of the law include the following:
EMPLOYERS:

Each employer shall furnish to each of his employees, employment, and a place of employment free from recognized hazards that
are causing or are likely to cause death or serious harm to his employees; and shall comply with occupational safety and health
standards issued under the law.

EMPLOYEES:

Each employee shall comply with all occupational safety and health standards, rules, regulations, and orders issued under the law
that apply to his own actions and conduct on the job.

INSPECTION:

COMPLIANCE
COMPLAINT:

The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development has the primary responsibility for administering the law. It issues
occupational safety and health standards, and its Compliance Officers conduct job site inspections to ensure compliance with the
law.
The law requires that a representative of the employer and a representative authorized by the employees be given an opportunity to
accompany the Compliance Officer for the purpose of aiding the inspection. Pursuant to AS 18.60.087, time spent by an employee
aiding the inspection shall be considered as time worked, and the employee shall be compensated accordingly.
Where there is no authorized employee representative, the Compliance Officer must consult with a reasonable number of employees
concerning safety and health conditions in the workplace.
Employees or their representatives have the right to file a complaint in writing with the nearest Alaska Department of Labor and
Workforce Development office requesting an inspection if they believe unsafe or unhealthful conditions exist in their workplace. Their
names will be withheld upon request.
Employees and their representatives have a right to call an inspector’s attention to possible violations in writing or orally.
The law provides that employees may not be discharged or discriminated against in any way for filing safety and health complaints or
otherwise exercising their rights under the law.

DISCRIMINATION
COMPLAINT:

Pursuant to AS 18.60.089, an employee may not be discharged or discriminated against because they filed a complaint, instituted, or
caused to be instituted a proceeding related to the enforcement of occupational safety and health standards, or has testified or is
expected to testify in a proceeding related to occupational safety and health. An employee who believes they have been
discriminated against may file a complaint with the nearest OSHA and/or Alaska Occupational Safety and Health office within 30 days
of the alleged discrimination.

CITATION:

If upon inspection, the Compliance Officer believes an employer has violated the law, a citation alleging such violations will be issued
to the employer. Each citation will specify a time period within which the alleged violation must be corrected.
The citation must be prominently displayed at or near the place of alleged violation for five days, or until it is corrected, whichever is
later, to warn employees of dangers that may exist there.

PROPOSED
PENALTY:

The law provides for mandatory penalties against employers of up to $16,131.00 for each serious violation and for optional penalties
of up to $16,131.00 for other violations. Penalties of up to $16,131.00 per day may be proposed for failure to correct violations within
the proposed time period. Also, any employer who willfully or repeatedly violates the law may be assessed penalties of up to
$161,131.00 for each violation. Current penalty supplements may be found here: https://labor.alaska.gov/lss/program_directives.htm.
Criminal penalties are also provided for in the law. Any willful violation resulting in death of an employee upon conviction is
punishable by a fine not more than $10,000 or by imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or by both. Conviction of an employer
after a first conviction doubles these maximum penalties.

VOLUNTARY
ACTIVITY:

While providing penalties for violations, the law also encourages efforts by labor and management, before an inspection, to reduce
injuries and illnesses arising out of employment.
The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development encourages employers and employees to reduce workplace hazards
voluntarily and to develop and improve safety and health programs in all workplaces and industries.
Such cooperative action would initially focus on the identification and elimination of hazards that could cause death, injury, or illness
to employees and supervisors. Upon request of an employer, the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development will
furnish a consultant who will inspect the premises and identify hazards without assessing penalties.

MORE
INFORMATION:

Additional information and copies of the law, specific safety and health standards, and other regulations may be obtained from the
Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Division of Labor Standards & Safety, Alaska Occupational Safety and
Health at the addresses shown at the bottom of this page.

PROGRAM
COMPLAINT:

Under a plan approved July 31, 1973, by the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the
State of Alaska is providing job safety and health protection for workers throughout the State. OSHA will monitor the operation of this
plan to assure that continued approval is merited. Any person may make a complaint regarding the State administration of this plan
directly to the U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA, Region IX, 90 7th St., Suite 2650, San Francisco, CA 94103, Phone (415) 625-2547.

IT’S YOUR RIGHT TO KNOW
About toxic and hazardous substances and physical agents

AS 18.60.068 requires this information be displayed in a prominent place on business premises.
•

Employers must inform employees about the locations and nature of operations, which could result in exposure to toxic or hazardous substances or physical
agents.

•

Employers must train employees in the health effects of the toxic or hazardous substances and physical agents to which they are exposed and in the
purpose, proper use, and limitations of personal protective equipment.

•

Employers must keep on file and make available during the work-shift, Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for each toxic or hazardous substance or physical agent to
which employees may be exposed. Employers must remove employees from exposure to the substance or physical agent if an SDS cannot be obtained and
provided to employees within 15 calendar days of a request.

The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development will provide assistance to employers in the form of SDS program development aids, on-site
program review, and safety seminars.
For more information, employers, employees and concerned citizens may contact the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development,
Labor Standards and Safety Division, Occupational Safety and Health, http://labor.alaska.gov/lss/oshhome.htm.
♦ Consultation & Training 1-800-656-4972
1111 West 8th Street, Suite 304
P.O. Box 111149
Juneau, AK 99811-1149
(907) 465-4855

♦ Enforcement 1-800-770-4940

1251 Muldoon Road, Ste 109
Anchorage, AK 99504
(907) 269-4940

♦ 24-hour OSHA hotline 1-800-321-6742

675 7th Avenue, Station J
Fairbanks, AK 99701-4596
(907) 451-2890
Or
(907) 451-2888

AS 18.60.058 (a) requires that employers must notify either AKOSH or OSHA within eight
hours of an in-patient hospitalization, loss of an eye, amputation, or fatality.
AKOSH 1-800-770-4940 or 24-hour OSHA hotline 1-800-321-6742

Rev. November 2024