What is the difference between an accident at work, an industrial accident and a road accident?
Unfortunately, accidents can happen even with the greatest care. As employers and
as an employee, it is also important to be aware of what a case is legally:
an accident at work, an industrial accident or a road accident. Although the concepts are similar,
have important legal and administrative differences.
What is an accident at work?
An accident at work is any accident that occurs to a worker in the course of or in connection with the
in the context of.
- This includes injuries sustained at work (e.g. an accident while operating machinery, an accident in a warehouse, an injury caused by a wrong move in an office environment).
- The point is that there is a direct link between the accident and the work.
The employer must investigate the accident at work and make a report.
What is an industrial accident?
The concept of an industrial accident is important for social security. It is any accident,
an accident at work which entitles the worker to insurance benefits (e.g. sick pay
an industrial accident).
In essence:
- All industrial accidents are accidents at work,
- en not all accidents at work are industrial accidents - because it is the insurer (TB) who decides whether a case qualifies as an industrial accident.
What is a road accident?
A road accident occurs when a worker, while travelling between his/her place of residence and his/her place of work
is involved in an accident.
- This can be on foot, in a car, on public transport.
- It is important that the route is the usual and direct route. If the employee deviates significantly from the route (e.g. for shopping, errands), the accident may no longer be considered a travel accident.
How to decide what constitutes an accident?
- Work accident: happens at work, while you are at work.
- Industrial accident: legal recognition of an accident at work by social security.
- Road accident: between the workplace and the place of residence, during transport.
But often it is not that simple. For example:
- What is a „work-related activity”?
- What happens if a worker has an accident after working hours but at work?
- What if someone is travelling to a company office during working hours and a problem occurs there?
In such cases, it is advisable to seek expert assistance to ensure that the accident is properly reported,
investigated and documented - to avoid legal disputes and problems later.
Work accident
The worker is injured in the course of or in connection with the performance of his/her work.
For example: an injury at work, while working.
Industrial accident
Legal recognition of an accident at work by social security.
For example: an accident at work is recognised as an industrial accident.
Road accident
The worker has an accident while travelling between his home and work.
For example: on foot, by car, by public transport.
