Firm fined for not insuring itself

Date:

2 November 2011

Release No:

HSE/254/11

A kitchen and bedroom furniture manufacturer from Corby has been fined for failing to insure the company against liability for employee injury or disease.

When the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) visited Alina Trade Limited's Maylan Road premises on 2 March 2011, the company was unable to produce on request a certificate of Employers' Liability Compulsory Insurance (ELCI) to HSE inspectors, which employers are required to hold by law.

Corby magistrates heard that despite letters, and issuing a formal Notice to Produce the ELCI document, Alina Trade did not. HSE visited the company for a second time on 8 June, and again it was unable to produce a certificate.

The company, whose registered address is Dukes Hill, Bagshot, Surrey, pleaded guilty to contravening Section 1(1) of the Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 and was fined £2,000 with £1,567 in costs.

Following the hearing, inspector Sally Harris said:

"Alina Trade Limited had many opportunities to produce a valid insurance certificate, so many in fact the firm appeared to be deliberately flouting the law.

"Employers are responsible for the health and safety of their employees when they are at work. While the law expects active steps to be taken to protect workers, if an employee does suffer harm then Employers' Liability Compulsory Insurance ensures that any justifiable civil claim by an employee can be met."

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 of the Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 states: "Every employer carrying on any 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, and arising out of and in the course of their employment in Great Britain in that business, but except in so far as regulations otherwise provide not including injury or disease suffered or contracted outside Great Britain."

Press enquiries

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

Issued on behalf of HSE by COI News & PR East Midlands