Most Alaskan workers are exposed to many of the same risks as are other workers in the U.S. However, workers in the highest-risk occupations in Alaska also face unique and extreme environmental risk factors due to the size of the state, the remote locations of many work sites, and the lack of nearby rescue teams and/or emergency response systems. For example, commercial fishermen in Alaska work some of the coldest and roughest waters of the U.S., and are often under intense pressure to meet harvest deadlines.
Cold weather and cold water contribute to worker fatigue and may exacerbate subsequent injuries. Pilots and work-related passengers on commuter flights and air taxis often encounter rapid weather changes as they travel from one remote site to another; the resulting changes in visibility can often contribute to crashes.

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