Citation

Lincoln JM, O'Connor MB, Retzer KD, Hill RD, Teske TD, Woodward CC, Lucas DL, Somervell PD, Burton JT, Mode NA, Husberg BJ, Conway GA. J. Saf. Res. 2013; 44: 105-110.

Affiliation

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health/Alaska Pacific Office 4230 University Drive, Suite 310 Anchorage, Alaska 99508, USA. Electronic address: JLincoln@cdc.gov.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, U.S. National Safety Council, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jsr.2012.08.023

PMID

23398711

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Alaska had the highest work-related fatality rate of any state during 1980-1989. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health established the Alaska Field Station (AFS) to address this problem. METHODS: AFS established surveillance systems to provide scientific assessments of occupational hazards. Interventions were developed in collaboration with partners and evaluated. RESULTS: During 2000-2009, Alaska experienced a 42.5% decline in work-related fatalities over the previous decade of 1990-1999. In 2009, the workplace fatality rate for Alaska was 5.6/100,000 workers. Commercial pilot deaths were reduced by 50% and Bering Sea crab fishing death rates were reduced by 60%. Building on this success, AFS established national programs to improve safety in the commercial fishing and oil and gas extraction industries. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: A focused, epidemiological approach to reducing fatalities in high-risk occupations is effective. Ongoing commitment to this type of approach will assist in continued success in Alaska and elsewhere.

Language: en