The Online Lodge

Health and Safety Executive has issued a cautionary notice to all employers after a retailer was found lacking employee insurance papers. HSE has said that employee insurance is very necessary and any failure on part of employers to take insurance of this kind will prompt severe action.

The issue surfaced after a retail shop owner based in Cambridgeshire was asked to produce papers that could verify that he had insured his employees. The retailer, Dipak Kumar Kantial Solanki, owns Melbourn Stores in Melbourn. During a routine check by Environmental Health Officers from South Cambridgeshire Council, it was found that Mr Solanki was lacking these essential papers. He was given a notice to produce the same within a specified time limit. However, Solanki was unable to show any papers.

According to law, every employer who falls within the purview of the Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act of 1969 is required by law to take an insurance policy benefiting his employee in case of any untoward incidents at work. This policy/certificate must be presented to HSE inspectors during their routine checks. Failure to do so can draw legal action on the offender.

HSE charged Mr Solanki with breaches of the Act of 1969. He was asked to pay a fine of £500 per offence and £539.60 costs by magistrates at Cambridge Court. The case prompted HSE to remind employers to ensure that they have followed all regulations as specified by law in order to protect their employees from accidents in the workplace. Failure to do this results in employees being left much more vulnerable in case of any such mishaps taking place.

All organisations need to make appropriate efforts to protect the well-being of staff, the Certificate in Employment Relations Law and Practice (CERLAP) by Workplace Law, imparts training to managers to successfully manage appropriate policies and procedures and improve upon management skills.