Table of Contents
What are industrial accidents?
The definition of an occupational accident may differ between countries, governing bodies and industries, but in general, an occupational accident can be defined as any bodily injury caused as a result of work performed. Therefore, for an accident to be considered an “accident at work” the following must apply:
- The worker suffers an injury (wound, blow or illness).
- The accident is due to the work and there is a direct causal relationship between the work and the session (i.e., the injury itself does not make it an accident at work).
Generally, the following are considered work-related accidents:
- Accidents sustained while going to or returning from work.
- Accidents sustained while performing a regular task at work during working hours.
- Accidents suffered in the performance of irregular tasks, but which have been requested by the employer.
- Illnesses contracted through work, but this must be proven.
- Illnesses or conditions previously suffered, but which have been aggravated or worsened by an accident at work.
However, the following are not considered occupational accidents:
- Accidents caused by major external events unrelated to work (e.g., terrorist attacks or natural disasters).
- Accidents caused by the recklessness of a worker.
- Accidents caused by another worker that are not work-related (e.g., fights or pranks between workers resulting in injuries).
- Accidents suffered as a result of the commission of intentional crimes.
Work-related accidents include, for example, those that the worker suffers while commuting to and from work.
What happens after an accident at work?
After a workplace accident, the general response may include:
- First aid by a trained first responder (often this is a number of volunteers chosen from within the workforce).
- Calling emergency services as needed.
- Recording the accident and how it occurred.
- Notifying the relevant unions.
- An investigation of the accident by a third party.