Employer without compulsory insurance fined

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.”