Citation

Mode N. Northwest Public Health 2006; 23(2): 6-8.

Affiliation

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, University of Washington School of Public Health and Community Medicine)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Occupational safety is more than just regulations, colorful signs about workplace dangers, and annual hazard training. Alaska is a prime testing ground for new ways to approach occupational safety. In the past, Alaska had the highest occupational fatality rate in the nation. Confronted with the high occupational fatality rate, and aware of the opportunities that Alaska provided for pioneering new ways to approach occupational health and safety, the U.S.� National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) opened a field station in Anchorage, Alaska, in 1991.

Commercial fishing is one of the most dangerous occupations. The Alaska NIOSH station has used public health methods to help reduce fishing accidents and fatalities.