[The Industrial Accidents act (1903) and the birth of the Industrial Accidents Fund (1967)].

After describing the socio-economic background of the 18th and early 19th centuries, this article explains the parliamentary initiatives undertaken by the newly-independent Belgian state. The Industrial Accidents Act was passed in 1903, together with other social legislation and created a new area of law, separate from the civil law. In the course of the 20th century repeated additions were made to this law, including, in 1967, the transformation of the original contingency budget into a Fund for Industrial Accidents. The author then goes on to discuss the Fund's role and duties; how it is financed; and the procedures to be followed in the event of an industrial accident.