We use quite a lot of small contractors and until now we have not been checking EL insurance. The question is, given the latest comment by the HSE of the numbers of small companies that are not taking EL insurance as a means of saving money, should we start asking to see it along with the public andprofessional liability insurance. As an opening statement, I am not sure we should act as the governments unpaid police for this issue, on the other hand, I can't help thinking about the employees of those shortcutting bosses!

But you do have a legitimate interest in this insurance - if a contractor's employee was injured on a job for you and unable to get recompense from his employer due to lack of insurance, surely his lawyers would think of turning on the client company?

Dear All, A few comments: I think it was AIRMIC rather than the HSE that was talking about firms not taking out EL insurance. I was unsure abotu the soruce of theri data. The last time this issue came up was at the tiem of the "EL Crisis" back in 200-02... when EL premiums rose significantly almost overnight. At that time the HSE commissioned extensive research which concluded the extent of under insurance was a fraction of 1%...!!! Now the recession could have caused that to rise...! But there is another factor - which AIRMIC may not have factored into their thinking. Most commercial organisations obtian the their insurance through a broker. They need motor cover for their vehicles, theft for plant and machinery etc. They would be unwise to trade without PL... Their broker will ask about employees - if he did not do so he is making a serious professional breach - Prof Indemnity claim on horixon..!? So the firm could simply flagrantly lie and say that they did not employ anyone (possible) or they could connive with the broker and not purchase EL cover (unlikely). Either way I think there are sufficent checks and balances to ensure that the vast majority of firms, from small to large purchase the necessary EL cover As one poster stated not all firms require EL insurance but I hope AIRMIC took that into acount. And Kate was quite right that in the event that an accident to a "subbies" employee could result in lawyers turning to the main contractor/employer in the event that there was no insurance. And as I guess we all appreciate a bona fide subbie i.e. a properly constituted firm will have (should have) their own EL cover). However, this is not the case with a labour only subbies and most insurance policies will extend the definition of "employee" to include those working for a labour only sub contractor. Hope this helps Phil

Morning all, You may be interested to read this article that came through on my email this morning from SHP Online. Although its not directly linked to vetting contractors to undertake business on your behalf, it serves as a reminder to those contractors whom fail to appropriately cover themselves regarding EL insurance. http://www.shponline.co....e-with-hse-investigation Regards,