title: Relationship between non-standard work arrangements and work-related accident absence in Belgium.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The main objective of this study is to examine the relationship between indicators of non-standard 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 socio-demographic 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 work-related 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 work-related accident absence. No significant gender difference was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Indicators of non-standard work arrangements under this study, except shift work, were not significantly associated with work-related 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Electrical Energy, Systems and Automation, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Ghent University.
authors.forename: Hanan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Alali
authors.forename: Lutgart
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Braeckman
authors.forename: Tanja
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Van Hecke
authors.forename: Bart
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: De Clercq
authors.forename: Heidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Janssens
authors.forename: Magd Abdel
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Wahab
mesh_terms: D000041:Absenteeism; D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000328:Adult; D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D060051:Occupational Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014940:Work Schedule Tolerance; D016526:Workload; D055815:Young Adult