EMPLOYERS’ LIABILITY (COMPULSORY INSURANCE)

ACT 1969

What is The Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act

1969?

The Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 (c 57) is a UK Act of Parliament that requires that employers carry insurance against the personal injury of their employees.

As well as being insured, employers must post details of the insurance for staff to see. This requirement applies to most companies; exemptions include public organisations and certain micro companies.

Under section 5, offenders can be sentenced, on summary conviction in the Magistrates' Court, to a fine of up to level 4 on the standard scale (£2500) .

The Act does not require compulsory insurance against illness and injury suffered by employees working abroad.

What does this mean?

This an Insurance that any company who have employees’ are required to have by

law.

If an employer is found not to have this insurance than they can be prosecuted and

heavily fined.

What Does the insurance do?

This insurance protects the employer if an employee was to injure themselves during work hours in the place of work.

If an employee was to injure themselves in the work place then this insurance would cover the employer up to £10,000,000

ActivityScenarios

Read the following cases for injuries at work and discuss in groups how much you think the employees received in damages

An under qualified electrician sustained injuries to his hand after stating to a colleague that he was under qualified to do so.

His hand was crushed and he had severe injuries.

How much do you think he won in damages?

A Coca-Cola employee recently became temporarily blinded for a period of 3 days after a pipe exploded near him.

How much do you think he won in damages?

A Teacher received a pay-out after his arm was slammed in a filling cabinet by a pupil trying to take back his confiscated football.

How much do you think he won in damages?

The electrician

£237,000

http://www.accidentatwork.co.uk/case-studies/237000-payout-for-electricians-industrial-accident/

The Coca-Cola employee

£6000

http://www.accidentatwork.org.uk/coca-cola-pays-compensation-payout-to-plant-worker-injured-in-accident-at-work

The teacher

£382,000

http://news.sky.com/story/1071296/teachers-receiving-millions-in-injury-payouts