Work

Towards a better understanding of occupational accidents in Belgium

Year: 2025

Type: book

Abstract: Occupational accidents remain a persistent and complex challenge across sectors and demographic groups. This study aims to advance our understanding of such incidents in Belgium by moving beyond traditional descriptive statistics and applying a rigorous multilevel analytical framework. I am proud to present Towards a Better Understanding of Occupational Accidents in Belgium, which addresses a tangible source of human suffering and significant business impact. Drawing on a decade of data and -depending on the analysis- covering up to 200,000 occupational accidents across 20 sectors and nearly 70,000 companies, the research applies mixed-effects models to identify patterns and determinants of accident occurrence, reporting behaviour, and other relevant outcomes. By accounting for repeated observations within individuals and clustering within organizations, the models correct for biases and reveal the nuanced interplay between personal and structural determinants. The strength of this study lies not only in the breadth of the dataset but also in the depth of collaboration among the involved parties. A thorough understanding of the data processing pipeline —spanning collection, validation, and cleaning— has enabled the team to resolve inconsistencies and ensure analytical robustness. This shared expertise has been instrumental in transforming raw administrative records into meaningful insights and is actively supporting the optimization of existing processes within and across the respective fields of work. This report is not merely a statistical exercise; it is intended as a foundation for evidence-based decision-making. We hope it will inform policy development, enhance workplace safety strategies, and stimulate future research collaborations. The insights presented herein are designed to empower stakeholders —including insurers, employers, policy-makers, and researchers— with actionable knowledge that can drive meaningful change. The range of conclusions emerging from this study confirms certain long-held assumptions while also revealing new insights. As with any robust scientific inquiry, it raises further questions that merit exploration. For instance, while it is commonly assumed that workers in smaller companies are less likely to take time off to recover from injuries, the data show that when they do, their recovery periods tend to be significantly longer. This observation prompts further investigation: Are their injuries more severe? Do larger firms offer more reintegration options? Or do they benefit from stronger HR policies that ensure better follow-up for absent workers? This study not only validates and challenges existing beliefs; it also encourages us to ask new questions. These questions are essential as we continue striving toward a future in which occupational accidents and their consequences are systematically reduced. Enjoy your reading. Jelle Neyens, Chief Client Officer – Large Enterprises, Head of Occupational Health, Liantis

Source: Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17256998

Authors: Geens, Tom, Vandamme, Marco, Janssens, Heidi, D'haeyere, Dieter, Van Mol, Maarten

Institution: Liantis

Language: English

Topic: Occupational Health and Safety Research

Subfield: Safety Research

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Decent work and economic growth, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: Koning Boudewijnstichting