The owner of a car wash in Burnham-on-Crouch in Essex has been fined by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after it emerged that he had no employers’ liability insurance cover in place.
HSE inspectors visited the Blue Flag Hand Car Wash in Essex back in October 2009, reporting back that the owner, Bledar Shtylaa, had failed to produce a certificate proving he had an employers’ liability insurance policy. As it is legally compulsory for all businesses to have at least a minimum level of cover to protect their employees, the case was heard before Chelmsford Magistrates Court and the owner received a hefty fine.
After admitting that he had breached Section 1 of the Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act of 1969, Mr Shtylaa was fined £2,500 and forced to pay costs amounting to £1,037.
HSE inspector Kaitav Patel has commented on the case, saying:
“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.”
The HSE specified that the only exemptions to the laws surrounding employers’ liability are businesses with no employees.