Employer without compulsory insurance fined

Date:

2 June 2010

Release No:

HSE-E-09

An Essex car wash owner who failed to purchase compulsory insurance to protect his employees was fined yesterday.

Bledar Shtylaa, who owns Blue Flag Hand Car Wash on Station Industrial Estate, Burnham-on-Crouch, was fined £2,500 at Chelmsford Magistrates Court.

The court heard how he failed to produce a current Employers' Liability Compulsory Insurance (ELCI) certificate when a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Health and Safety Awareness Officer visited the premises on 26 October 2009.

All employers need to have an ELCI certificate and must show a copy straight away on request from a HSE official. When Mr Shtylaa failed to do this, he was issued with an ELCI "notice to produce". Upon investigation, it became apparent that Mr Shtylaa had not purchased Employer Liability Insurance since November 2006 when he first started the business.

Mr Shtylaa admitted breaching Section 1(1) of the Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969. He was ordered to pay a further £1,037 in costs.

HSE Inspector Kaitav Patel said:

"This case should serve as a warning to all employers about how seriously HSE takes this issue. Injuries to employees can potentially stop them working for a period of time or even for life. This type of insurance means that they will not be left to fend for themselves and their families when hurt in an incident.

"Employers' Liability Compulsory Insurance is designed to protect employees and ensure they are covered if there is an accident in the workplace. Failing to have this insurance potentially leaves members of staff doubly vulnerable in the event of an accident or ill health."

Notes to editors

1. Section 1(1) of the Employers' Liability Compulsory Insurance Act 1969 states: "Every employer carrying on business in Great Britain shall insure, and maintain insurance, under one or more approved policies with an authorised insurer or insurers against liability for bodily injury or disease sustained by his employees."
2. The Health and Safety Executive is Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to reduce work-related death, injury and ill health. It does so through research, information and advice; promoting training; new or revised regulations and codes of practice; and working with local authority partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement. www.hse.gov.uk

Press enquiries

Regional reporters should call the appropriate Regional News Network press office.

Issued on behalf of the Health & Safety Executive by COI News & PR East