labor lawAdivision of labor law center

Alaska worker safety can be addressed when proper precautions and procedures are employed in the workplace. In the springtime, power outages due to an increase in thunder and electrical storms, can threaten the safety of those employed in businesses that must remain open even when there is no power.

Proper safety plans, evacuation procedures, and education about potential risks can help reduce the risk of fire hazards, unnecessary injury, and loss of property during a power outage. When generators are used in the workplace, licensed electricians should be used to install the equipment to reduce the risk of electrical fires and electrocution. Proper maintenance and routine cleaning of the generators will also help ensure the workplace remains safe in the event the generator must be used to supply power.

Employers should make sure there is proper ventilation if the power goes out. Heating elements can cause an unsafe build up of gas and fumes which, if not properly vented outside, can cause serious risk to worker safety. Employees should be aware of these risks, as well as warning signs that gas and other fumes may be building up in the work environment.

Battery operated radios should be supplied in all work environments at risk for power outages. This way, employees can get up-to-date information on weather conditions and other risks to their safety.

Smoke alarms and fire detectors should be installed throughout the workplace to alert employees. Carbon monoxide detectors should also be used. If alarms are battery operated, routine checks should be performed to ensure all alarms are working properly.

Employees should be cautioned when using fireplaces and wood burning stoves for heat. Employers should make sure all heat sources are properly cleaned and maintained to reduce the risk of fire. Propane and charcoal grills should never be used in enclosed spaces. Ovens and stoves should never be used as heat sources.

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