Relationship between non-standard work arrangements and work-related accident absence in Belgium

Abstract

Objectives:The main objective of this study is to examine the relationship between indicators of nonstandard work arrangements, including precarious contract, long working hours, multiple jobs, shift work, and work-related accident absence, using a representative Belgian sample and considering several sociodemographic and work characteristics. Methods : This study was based on the data of the fifth European Working Conditions Survey ( EWCS ) . For the analysis, the sample was restricted to 3343 respondents from Belgium who were all employed workers. The associations between non-standard work arrangements and workrelated accident absence were studied with multivariate logistic regression modeling techniques while adjusting for several confounders. Results : During the last 12 months, about 11.7% of workers were absent from work because of work-related accident. A multivariate regression model showed an increased injury risk for those performing shift work (OR 1.546, 95% CI 1.074-2.224). The relationship between contract type and occupational injuries was not significant (OR 1.163, 95% CI 0.739-1.831). Furthermore, no statistically significant differences were observed for those performing long working hours (OR 1.217, 95% CI 0.638-2.321) and those performing multiple jobs (OR 1.361, 95% CI 0.827-2.240) in relation to work-related accident absence. Those who rated their health as bad, low educated workers, workers from the construction sector, and those exposed to biomechanical exposure ( BM ) were more frequent victims of workrelated accident absence. No significant gender difference was observed. Conclusion : Indicators of nonstandard work arrangements under this study, except shift work, were not significantly associated with workrelated accident absence. To reduce the burden of occupational injuries, not only risk reduction strategies and interventions are needed but also policy efforts are to be undertaken to limit shift work. In general, preventive measures and more training on the job are needed to ensure the safety and well-being of all workers.

Precarious employment and occupational accidents and injuries – a systematic review

“…Because of the large variation in exposure and outcome definitions as well as measurement methods, a meta-analysis was not feasible. However, when grouping similar exposures together, the risk for occupational injuries was consistently higher for those performing multiple jobs compared with one (15,16,20,21) and among those employed through a subcontractor at the same worksite or staffing agency (14,22,23). The latter has also been found in a research report by the Swedish Work Environment Agency, which did not the meet the peer-reviewed criteria for inclusion (30).…”

“…Five studies investigated the relation between temporary contracts and risk of injuries. One of these found a statistically significant positive association (14), while four studies showed inconclusive results or negative associations (20,(24)(25)(26). Four studies on part-time or casual work suggested negative or no relation to occupational injuries (18,19,25).…”

“…A majority of the studies reported a positive association between precarious employment and occupational injuries. All of the four studies on multiple job holders indicated that the risk for occupational injuries was higher among these individuals compared to those with only one job (15,16,20,21). Being employed through a subcontractor at the same worksite or staffing agency was also associated with a higher risk of occupational injuries compared to being directly employed by the employer (14,22,23).…”

Precarious employment and occupational injuries in the digital age ‒ where should we go from here?

“…Work in multiple jobs and working for temporary agencies were the two areas of non-standard work arrangements providing the strongest evidence of elevated risk of work-related injury. All four studies on multiple job holding (11)(12)(13)(14) reported increased risk of work-related injury when working in multiple jobs as compared with single jobs (with 3 of the 4 being statistically significant). Dong et al's longitudinal study (12) demonstrated a strong dose-response relationship where every additional job resulted in increased risk to a cohort of construction workers.…”

Workplace Accidents in Brazil: Analysis of Physical and Psychosocial Stress and Health-Related Factors

“…Therefore, to analyze work accidents, it is necessary to consider both, the individual factors and those concerning the work activity (Alali et al, 2017). This is because it is already a consensus that an environment with poor working conditions, physical and mental load and stress increases the chances of accidents.…”