Bradford takeaway owner fined

Date:

23 December 2010

Release No:

YH/213/10

A Bradford takeaway owner has been fined for failing to insure his staff against work-related injuries and illnesses.

Mohammed Aslam, trading as 'The Raj', an Indian curry house on Leeds Road, Bradford, was not in court for the hearing, but Bradford magistrates dealt with the case in his absence after he failed to appear for the second time.

The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) approached Mr Aslam after receiving information that the takeaway did not have Employers' Liability Compulsory Insurance (ELCI). After he ignored a letter requesting his insurance certificate, HSE served Mr Aslam with a Notice to Produce the certificate. Again Mr Aslam failed to respond.

Bradford Magistrates' Court heard how an HSE inspector then visited the restaurant and spoke to two employees who were unable to show an insurance certificate. As a result, Mr Aslam was invited for an interview under caution but, once more, he failed to respond.

Mr Aslam was found guilty of breaching Section 1(1) of the Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 and fined £2,500 for failing to insure his employees against injury arising from their work. He faces a further £1,000 penalty for failing to producing an insurance certificate and was also ordered to pay full costs of £2,585.40.

HSE inspector, Lee Perry, said:

"It's wholly unacceptable for employers not to arrange insurance to cover their employees for incidents or illnesses that can occur because of their work.

"Employers who turn a blind eye to this are playing a dangerous game of chance and whenever HSE becomes aware this is happening, we will not hesitate to take enforcement action."

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. www.hse.gov.uk
2. Section 1(1) of the Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969, requires employers carrying out a business in Great Britain, to insure under one or more approved policies with an authorised insurer, against liability for bodily injury or disease sustained by his employees arising out of and in the course of their employment.
3. Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 requires the employer to produce the certificate of insurance, or a copy thereof, on demand to any inspector duly authorised by the Secretary of State for the purposes of the Act

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