Summer in Alaska is a busy, high-impact season. With extended daylight, seasonal labor surges, and physically demanding jobs across industries, the risks to employee health are both unique and significant. For employers, especially those managing outdoor or remote workers, understanding these risks is key to maintaining a safe and efficient workforce.
As a trusted occupational health partner, MedPhysicals Plus is here to help employers navigate these summer-specific challenges. Here are key risks to watch for, and why planning ahead is essential.
- Fatigue and Sleep Disruption from Extended Daylight
Alaska’s near-constant daylight can wreak havoc on sleep schedules, especially for workers on shifts, in camps, or rotating between day and night cycles. Chronic fatigue not only affects productivity but increases the risk of workplace incidents and errors.
Employers should be alert to signs of fatigue and educate teams on sleep hygiene, particularly in high-risk roles like construction, transportation, or fieldwork.
- Sun Exposure and UV Radiation
Cool temperatures can be misleading. UV radiation in Alaska is intense during summer months, especially around water, snow, or reflective surfaces. Workers exposed for long periods without proper protection are at risk of burns, rashes, and long-term skin damage.
July is UV Safety Awareness Month, making it a timely reminder for employers to promote sun protection on the job. Encouraging proper skin coverage, sunscreen use, hydration, and routine wellness checks can help minimize these risks.
- Insect-Borne Illnesses and Outdoor Hazards
Insect activity, especially mosquitoes and ticks, is at its peak during summer. For outdoor crews, these can lead to allergic reactions or, in rare cases, disease exposure. Environmental irritants like pollen, wildfire smoke, or dust can also impact respiratory health during the season.
Employers should ensure staff are educated on prevention, equipped with protective gear, and have access to medical guidance for exposure or reaction symptoms.
- Undetected Chronic Conditions in Remote Workers
Many Alaskan workers are deployed to remote locations during the summer for weeks or months. In these environments, chronic conditions such as hypertension, heart issues, or diabetes often go unmanaged. This creates potential safety and health emergencies.
Routine pre-deployment screenings and wellness checks are essential to identifying these risks before they impact job performance or become medical issues on the field.
- Physical Overexertion and Work-Related Injuries
With the physical nature of many Alaskan summer jobs, such as fishing, construction, or guiding, strains, sprains, and overuse injuries become more common. Without timely evaluation or return-to-work protocols, these can lead to long-term issues or lost productivity.
Don’t Let Summer Risks Impact Your Workforce
Alaska employers face a unique set of seasonal challenges, but with the right occupational health partner, you can stay ahead of them. Fit-for-duty evaluations are especially important for seasonal hires or returning workers who may be unprepared for intense physical demands. For outdoor teams facing wildfire smoke or poor air quality, respirator fit testing ensures proper protection and supports respiratory health. Meanwhile, health and wellness screenings can identify unmanaged conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes.
MedPhysicals Plus provides occupational health services across Alaska to help you manage seasonal workforce challenges with confidence. We have locations in Fairbanks, Anchorage, and Wasilla. To learn how we can support your team this summer, contact us today.