Alaska Tour Operator Fined $1.5M Over Workers’ Comp

An Alaska tour operator has been fined $1.5 million for allegedly failing to carry workers’ compensation insurance, violating stop work orders and misclassifying employees as independent contractors.

Ultimate Tours LLC and Godwin Glacier Tours LLC can appeal the Alaska Workers’ Compensation Board decision or ask that it reconsider. An attorney for the tour operator declined comment Friday.

Mike Monagle, director of the workers’ compensation division, said the state attempted to reach agreement with the company but it wasn’t cooperative with investigators.

He said stop work orders were issued in 2005 and 2010, meaning the company couldn’t have employees. He said the operator designated workers as independent contractors.

Monagle said five injuries, none serious, were reported over the span of the investigation. Alaska law requires that employers carry workers’ compensation insurance.