Employers Liability Insurance for Cleaning Companies

Quick answer

Employers liability insurance for cleaning companies is usually required where the business employs staff, including many part-time, temporary, casual or labour-only worker arrangements. It helps respond to covered employee injury or illness claims arising from cleaning work.

For the main quote route, compare cleaning contractors insurance for UK cleaning businesses, including public liability, employers liability, tools, key holding, property damage and contract requirements, or start a cleaning contractors insurance quote.

Insurers may ask about

Cleaning activities, premises cleaned, staff numbers, subcontractors, chemicals, working at height, equipment values, key holding, claims history and contract limits.

Common claims

Typical cleaning contractor claims can involve wet floor slips, water damage, chemical damage, damaged customer property, stolen equipment or employee injuries.

Client documents may include

Commercial clients may request public liability certificates, employers liability certificates, RAMS, COSHH assessments, subcontractor evidence and health and safety documents.

When Cleaning Companies Need Employers Liability

Most UK cleaning companies that employ staff need employers liability insurance. This can include full-time cleaners, part-time cleaners, supervisors, mobile teams, temporary staff and some labour-only subcontractor arrangements. The legal position depends on the working relationship, so contractors should not assume that casual or self-employed labels remove the exposure. Cleaning work can create employee injury risks through slips, manual handling, chemicals, machinery, working at height, lone working and out-of-hours access. Employers liability is separate from public liability, which deals with third-party claims.

• Full-time, part-time and temporary cleaning staff
• Supervisors, mobile teams and labour-only workers
• Separate from public liability insurance
• Usually required where staff are employed

Common Employee Injury And Illness Risks

Cleaning staff may face wet floors, slips, trips, manual handling, repetitive work, chemical exposure, equipment injuries, falls, vehicle travel and lone-working incidents. Mobile teams may carry equipment and chemicals between sites. Industrial, healthcare, retail, school and hospitality premises can add specific hazards. Employers should train staff, provide PPE, keep COSHH records, inspect equipment and document incidents. These controls can help reduce injuries and support evidence if a claim is later made.

• Slips, trips, falls and manual handling strains
• Chemical exposure and PPE requirements
• Equipment, machinery and vehicle-related risks
• Lone working, out-of-hours access and site hazards

Worker Status And Subcontractor Issues

Cleaning businesses often use casual workers, labour-only subcontractors or bona fide subcontractors. Worker status matters because employers liability may need to contemplate people who work under the contractor's direction, use the contractor's equipment or are integrated into the cleaning team. Bona fide subcontractors usually carry their own insurance, but evidence should still be checked. Contractors should disclose workforce arrangements accurately at quote and renewal stage so certificates and policy wording reflect the real business.

• Labour-only subcontractor exposure
• Casual, temporary and seasonal workers
• Bona fide subcontractor insurance checks
• Disclosure of wage roll and worker numbers

Keeping Employers Liability Evidence Ready

Commercial clients, councils, schools, healthcare sites, FM providers and managing agents may ask for employers liability certificates before work starts. Contractors should keep certificates accessible, update staff and wage roll figures, record training and review cover as the business grows. Insure24 can help UK cleaning companies compare suitable employers liability options alongside public liability, equipment and contract requirements.

• Keep certificates ready for client onboarding
• Update wage roll, staff and worker details
• Retain training, incident and PPE records
• Review cover before adding contracts or staff