A steel pipework manufacturer has been fined for failing to purchase compulsory insurance for its employees, leaving them potentially vulnerable in the event of an accident suffered at work.

A steel pipework manufacturer has been fined for failing to purchase compulsory insurance for its employees.

Ductwork Environmental Services was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £750 in court costs. 

The Essex-based company failed to produce a current Employers' Liability Compulsory Insurance (ELCI) certificate when a Health & Safety Executive inspector visited the River Way premises in Harlow in June 2010.

Ductwork admitted five breaches of the Employers' Liability Act. 

HSE inspector David King said such insurance is necessary "to cover employees for injury or ill health caused [while] at work."

King added: "Failure could leave any employee who has an accident or suffers ill health because of work unable to obtain compensation for their suffering, which potentially leaves employees doubly vulnerable."