Every year, thousands of employees in the Netherlands are injured due to an industrial accident. TheIndustrial Accident Monitor 2023of the Dutch Labor Inspectorate shows thatfalls from heightis again the most common cause. In 2023, 2,448 accident investigations were completed, with 2,386 casualties and 69 fatal accidents. But other risk factors, such as accidents involving migrant workers, also deserve special attention.
In this blog we discuss the causes, sectors with an increased risk and what your rights are as a victim of an industrial accident.
Facts and figures: industrial accidents in the Netherlands
The Dutch Labor Inspectorate investigated in 2023:
- 2,448 industrial accidents.
- 2,386 victims, of which:
- 69 fatal accidents.
- 35% caused by falls from height.
- 26% due to contact with work equipment or objects.
- 20% from being hit by falling objects.
- 10% due to accidents with vehicles or moving equipment.
Most occupational accidents occur in sectors such as:
- Water companies and waste management
- Construction
- Agriculture, forestry and fishing
- Industry
- Transport and storage
In smaller companies the risk of accidents is considerably higher than in large companies. This is often due to less supervision, limited safety measures and poor compliance with rules.
Working at height: why so many accidents?
Working at height remains one of the biggest risk factors in sectors such as construction, where more than half of accidents involve falls. Common situations are:
- Falling from roofs, scaffolding, aerial work platforms or ladders.
- Unsafe materials, such as outdated stairs or inadequate scaffolding.
- Lack of fall protection, such as safety lines or harnesses.
Although employers are obliged to take safety measures, things often go wrong due to time pressure, cost savings or insufficient supervision.
Migrant workers: a vulnerable group
The annualIndustrial Accident Monitorshows that migrant workers are more often victims of industrial accidents. This applies in particular to migrant workers who work in the Netherlands for less than four months and do not have a registered residence address.
Facts about migrant workers and accidents at work:
- 37 accidents per 100,000 jobsamong migrant workers, compared to 26 on average.
- Death rate twice as high(4% among migrant workers, 2% among other victims).
- Most accidents involving migrant workers take place in:
- Metal industry
- Slaughterhouses
- Agriculture, forestry and fishing
Migrant workers are oftentemporary workers, young and only recently employed at the time of the accident. This makes them extra vulnerable, partly due to language and cultural barriers that can lead to miscommunication about safety instructions. In addition, they often work in sectors with increased risks and sometimes have fewer opportunities to complain about unsafe situations due to dependence on their employer.
Other common accident types
In addition to fall accidents, the following industrial accidents have often been reported:
Contact with work equipment or objects
Consider accidents with machines in which employees become stuck in moving parts. This type of accident mainly occurs in industry (42% of accidents in that sector).Getting hit by objects
Falling objects are a common cause of injury in construction sites and warehouses.Accidents with vehicles or equipment
Forklifts and other moving vehicles regularly cause serious accidents, often with permanent injuries or even fatalities.
Rights after an industrial accident
As a victim of an industrial accident you are often entitled to compensation. In the Netherlands, the employer is almost always liable, unless there is intent or deliberate recklessness on the part of the employee. Even if an accident is caused by a colleague, the employer remains responsible.
What are your rights?
- A safe working environment: The employer must take measures to limit risks.
- Compensation: As a victim you can claim compensation for medical costs, loss of income and other damage.
- Liability of the employer: The employer is responsible for mistakes made by colleagues and inadequate safety measures.
How Arslan Advocaten can help
AtArslan Advocatenwe understand that an industrial accident can have a major impact. Our experienced personal injury lawyers are ready to defend your rights.Our services are completely free of charge for you, because we recover our costs from the liable party.
We offer:
- Free legal advice: Our team will investigate your situation and discuss what we can do for you.
- Specialization in employment law and personal injury: We ensure that you get what you are entitled to, without extra stress.
Contact us for legal assistance
Are you the victim of an industrial accident? Or do you want to know more about your rights? ContactArslanLawyers today. Complete our contact form and we will call you back the same working day. Together we will ensure that your damage is compensated.