25-10-2007
Importance of employers liability insurance highlighted
The Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has explained the importance of having employers liability insurance.
Lisa Fowlie, president of the IOSH, suggested that employer's liability insurance is "the ultimate", and protects businesses if employees try to sue for poor health and safety standards. She also sought to remind businesses that Employer's Liability is required by law if they hire any staff.
However, she also stated that businesses need to be wary of the stigma attached to such accusations.
Commenting on when things go wrong in the workplace, Ms Fowlie remarked: "You don't want something to go wrong, because for a small business, if they have an accident at work or somebody gets hurt, then it's the bad publicity and other added affects that actually cost the business."
Dubbing this phenomenon the iceberg affect, she added that despite insuring against part of the damages "it's the unseen costs that come through".
According to the Health and Safety Executive, this week is the European Week for Safety and Health at Work 2007. This year, the initiative is dedicated to musculoskeletal disorders and is focussing on a campaign called Lighten the Load.