29 Oct What do Daylight Savings Mean for Employers’ Liability Cover?

What do Daylight Savings Mean for Employers’ Liability Cover?

Employers’ liability insurance obligations for tradespeople such as plumbers and electricians extend beyond what we might typically think of as the worksite.

For many tradespeople, it is common to spend nearly as much time on the road as on the job so, clearly, for any affected employers, there is a duty to ensure that their employees are covered when they are behind the wheel.

The importance of this is never more apparent than in the autumn and winter months. October sees the clocks change and, according to one car insurance company, this may go some way to explaining why there is a 34% increase in crash rates between 5-8pm in the weeks immediately following the October change to daylight saving time.

The reasons for this are numerous: from increased tiredness as drivers feel the effects of less vitamin D from sunlight to a deterioration in driving conditions as roads become wetter, more slippery and less well lit.

Tellingly for trade fleet managers, it is men who are the most heightened risk of an accident – with a 37% rise in crashes involving male drivers post-daylight savings compared to rise of 30% among female drivers.

Interestingly, the accident rate does not increase uniformly across the UK, with the biggest rises in the accident rate occurring in Wales (52%) and the Midlands (34%).

All employers have a duty to have employers’ liability insurance cover of at least £5 million. Failure to do so invites the risk of fine of £2,500 every day for which an employer is not properly insured.

For tradespeople such as electricians, plumbers and builders, the need for employers’ liability insurance cover on the work site is obvious: everyone is aware of the risk of working with dangerous tools, working at height or working with electricity or hazardous substances. However, it is easy to forget that for some employers, the worksite is extended to the road. If someone drives for you, under the banner of your business, you need insurance.