Employers' Liability Insurance for Scaffolders

If you employ staff in your scaffolding business, Employers' Liability Insurance is a legal requirement. We arrange specialist cover that includes unlimited height risks, suited to the demands of the trade.

Legal requirement for all employers
Unlimited height risks included
Cover from £5 million
May also apply if you use subcontractors
UK-based, independent advice

Call us on 01233 222562 or get a quote using the form.

Jump to...

What is Employers' Liability Insurance?

Is it a legal requirement?

What does it cover?

Do I need it for subcontractors?

Fines for not having it

FAQs

Scaffolders working at height on a construction site

What is Employers' Liability Insurance for Scaffolders?

Employers' Liability Insurance (ELI) protects your business if an employee makes a claim against you for an injury or illness they have suffered as a result of working for you. In the scaffolding trade, this could include accidents while working at height, injuries from handling heavy materials, or work-related illness caused by exposure to hazardous conditions on site.

Standard Employers' Liability policies often restrict or exclude cover for work at height. The policies we arrange include unlimited height risks as standard, recognising that working at height is a routine part of what scaffolders do.

Policies typically start at £5 million in cover. Many insurers offer £10 million as standard, and this level is often required by clients and main contractors. We will discuss your requirements and identify the right level for your business.

Is it a Legal Requirement?

Yes. Under the Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969, any business that employs one or more people is required by law to hold a valid Employers' Liability Insurance policy.

This applies to full-time and part-time employees, and in some circumstances to temporary workers and subcontractors too. The law requires a minimum of £5 million in cover, though most policies provide £10 million as standard.

You are required to display your certificate of insurance at your place of business, and to make it available to Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors on request.

Failure to hold a valid policy is a criminal offence. The Health and Safety Executive can issue fines of up to £2,500 for each day you are without cover. In addition to the financial penalties, you would face any claims from employees without insurance to help cover the costs.

This is a common question. Whether you need Employers' Liability Insurance for subcontractors depends on the nature of the working relationship. If a subcontractor is considered a worker rather than a genuinely self-employed person, ELI may still be required. We recommend discussing your specific situation with us so we can advise accordingly.

Yes. You are legally required to display your Employers' Liability Insurance certificate where employees can see it. This can be done digitally. You must also make it available to HSE inspectors if requested.

Usually yes, though this can depend on how the agency and the employer have agreed to allocate responsibility. We will clarify who is covered under any policy we arrange before cover begins.

What Does Employers' Liability Insurance Cover?

Employers' Liability Insurance covers your business against claims made by employees who have suffered injury or illness in the course of their work. For scaffolders, this includes:

Injuries from working at height - falls, dropped materials, and other height-related accidents are among the most common claims in the scaffolding trade. The policies we arrange include unlimited height cover
Manual handling injuries - scaffolding involves moving heavy components repeatedly. Claims relating to back and musculoskeletal injuries are common in the industry
Work-related illness - cover for illnesses caused by working conditions over time, including respiratory conditions and noise-induced hearing loss
Legal and compensation costs - the policy covers both the cost of defending a claim and any compensation awarded if a claim is successful

All policies are arranged through FCA-authorised insurers. You will receive full documentation before cover begins, including your certificate of insurance.

Employers' Liability Insurance and Subcontractors

Using subcontractors instead of directly employed staff does not automatically remove the requirement for Employers' Liability Insurance. If HMRC or a court determined that a subcontractor was in practice working as an employee, you could face an ELI claim without cover in place. Even where subcontractors are genuinely self-employed, fines can reach £2,500 for each day you operate without a valid policy. We will review the structure of your business and advise on the most appropriate cover for your situation.

Fines for Not Having Employers' Liability Insurance

The penalties for failing to hold a valid policy are set out under the Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 and enforced by the Health and Safety Executive. They are significant and worth being aware of.

Beyond the fines, operating without cover means any successful employee claim would need to be settled entirely from your own funds, which can have serious consequences for a small or medium-sized scaffolding business.

£2,500 Per Day

The fine for each day you operate without a valid Employers' Liability Insurance policy. This accumulates quickly and can result in significant penalties if cover lapses.

£1,000 Fine

The penalty for failing to display your certificate of insurance at your place of business, or for refusing to produce it for an HSE inspector on request.

Uninsured Claims

Without cover, any employee compensation claims must be met directly from your business funds. A single serious injury claim could run to tens of thousands of pounds or more.

Reputational Risk

Operating without valid cover can affect your ability to secure contracts and be accepted on sites. Many main contractors check insurance status before allowing subcontractors to start work.

Employers' Liability Insurance FAQs

Have a question that is not covered here? Call us on 01233 222562 and one of our team will be happy to help.

The Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969 requires a minimum of £5 million in cover. In practice, most policies start at £10 million, and this is the level most commonly required by main contractors and sites. We will recommend the right limit for your specific circumstances.

Yes. Employers' Liability Insurance can often be arranged as part of a package alongside Public Liability Insurance and other cover types. A combined policy can simplify your administration and may be more cost-effective than arranging each policy separately. We will explore the best approach for your business.

Claims relating to work-related stress and mental health conditions can fall within the scope of Employers' Liability Insurance, depending on the policy wording. We will confirm exactly what is covered under any policy before you commit to it.

Scaff Cover is a trading name of Quote Me Today, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA No. 786619). All policies are arranged through FCA-authorised insurers. You will receive full policy documentation before any cover is confirmed.

Our latest posts

Scaffolder wanting cheap scaffolders insurance quotes