Employers Liability Law for Cleaning Contractors UK

Quick answer

UK cleaning contractors that employ staff usually need employers liability insurance. The requirement can apply to full-time, part-time, temporary, casual and some labour-only workers, depending on the working relationship.

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 Employers Liability Is Required

Employers liability insurance is usually a legal requirement for UK businesses that employ staff. Cleaning contractors should review this carefully because cleaning teams often include part-time workers, temporary workers, casual labour, supervisors, mobile teams and sometimes labour-only subcontractors. The question is not only whether someone is on a permanent contract; it is whether the business has employer-like control over how, when and where the work is done. Contractors should take advice where worker status is unclear.

• Usually required where staff are employed
• Can include part-time and temporary cleaners
• Labour-only arrangements need careful review
• Worker status can depend on control and supervision

Why Cleaning Contractors Face Employee Injury Risk

Cleaning staff can be injured by slips, manual handling, chemicals, equipment, height work, lone working, vehicle movements, waste handling and client-site hazards. Employers liability can respond to covered employee injury or illness claims where the worker alleges the business failed in its duty of care. Good RAMS, COSHH records, training logs, PPE records, equipment checks and incident reports can help show how risks were managed before and after an incident.

• Slips, trips and manual handling injuries
• Chemical exposure and PPE issues
• Equipment, cables and machinery hazards
• Lone working and out-of-hours site risks

Certificates And Legal Evidence

Cleaning contractors should keep employers liability certificates available because clients may request them during onboarding, procurement checks or tender submissions. The certificate should show the insured business and relevant period. Businesses should also keep records of staff numbers, payroll, work types, training and claims history for quotes and renewals. If the business changes from a sole trader working alone to using helpers or staff, employers liability should be reviewed before the workers start.

• Keep certificates available for clients
• Review cover before hiring helpers or staff
• Maintain training and incident evidence
• Update insurers when payroll or staff numbers change

Subcontractors And Grey Areas

Cleaning contractors often use subcontractors, and insurance treatment can differ between bona fide subcontractors and labour-only subcontractors. Bona fide subcontractors generally control their own work and carry their own insurance, while labour-only workers may be treated more like employees. Contract wording, supervision, equipment, payment method and control all matter. Insure24 can help UK cleaning contractors compare suitable employers liability options and consider how staff, temporary labour and subcontractors fit into the insurance presentation.

• Different treatment for bona fide and labour-only subcontractors
• Check subcontractor insurance evidence
• Review control, supervision and equipment arrangements
• Compare suitable employers liability with Insure24