Greengrocer owner fined £2,100 for having no insurance

Date:

22 March 2010

Release No:

NE/118/10

A Northumberland fruit shop owner has been fined for not having compulsory insurance to cover injury claims by employees.

Ian Gray, trading as I Gray Fruiterers, in Station Road, Ashington, was investigated in May 2009 by the Health and Safety Executive after it was informed he did not hold employers' liability insurance.

Mr Gray was today (22 March) fined a total of £2,100 and ordered to pay £1,850.80 costs at Belington Magistrates' Court after being found guilty of four breaches of the Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969.

While public liability insurance is generally voluntary, employers' liability insurance is compulsory and enables an employer to meet any costs relating to employees' injuries or illness whether caused on or off site.

After the case, HSE Inspector Andrea Robbins, said there is no excuse for not having the insurance. She said:

"Employers' Liability insurance is a legal requirement for all employers in Great Britain.

"As well as being a legal requirement, the insurance offers important protection for employers if an employee is injured or suffers from disease as a result of their work.

"The failure of employers to insure is seen as a serious matter and HSE will continue to refer appropriate cases to the magistrates for their consideration."

Notes to editors

1. 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.
2. Mr Ian Gray, trading as I Gray Fruiterers, was found guilty of four offences under Section 1(1) of the Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969, in that as an employer carrying out a business in Great Britain, he failed to insure under one or more approved policies with an authorised insurer or insurers, against liability for bodily injury or disease sustained by his employees arising out of and in the course of their employment.
3. The court also ordered Mr Gray to pay a separate [£15] victim surcharge, the proceeds of which will be spent on services for victims and witnesses.

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