If you work in Alaska, it’s important to understand OSHA Alaska regulations, as they apply to most employees. However, these rules can be complex, especially in states like Alaska that have their own state plans.
To help clarify, we will explain OSHA regulations and how they apply in Alaska, additional requirements imposed by the state, and training recommendations for both OSHA and Alaska-specific standards.
AKOSH (Alaska Occupational Safety and Health Division) serves as Alaska’s official state plan for occupational health and safety. It oversees state and federal agencies, as well as some private employers, and is the authority responsible for enforcing all safety standards in the state.
Despite having its own State Plan, Alaska follows Federal OSHA Standards and Regulations and encourages employers and workers to comply with them. Therefore, if you work in Alaska, training focuses on certain key areas under both federal and state-specific rules.
Alaska enforces all Federal OSHA Standards along with additional State-specific Standards, including:
Construction Industry Standards:
Transmission and distribution of electric power
Handling gases, vapors, fumes, dust, or mists
Wood framing and steel construction
State-Specific General Industry Standards:
Electrical hazards
Hazardous substances
Bloodborne pathogens and infectious diseases
Hazard communication
Drilling, servicing, and production of oil and gas
Forestry and logging operations
Telecommunications
Electricity generation, transmission, and distribution
Painting operations
Transport, handling, and refining of oil and gas
Asbestos abatement
Use of blasting agents and explosives
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
Temporary labor camps
Restricted work areas
Certain categories of workers in Alaska remain covered by Federal OSHA jurisdiction, including:
Federal employees governed by federal laws
United States Postal Service workers
Private maritime employers near navigable waters
Offshore oil platforms and production facilities
Employers in the Metlakatla Indian Community and those in Denali National Park (private and public sectors)
Native American healthcare facilities managed by government and contractors
Military bases employing both public and private workers
Some agricultural operations
Working conditions for cabin crew members onboard operating aircraft
