Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the contractual right to substitution in gig economy delivery work on the Health and Safety Executive’s ability to monitor and enforce safe working conditions.

Health and safety law provides comprehensive protection to all workers. Gig economy workers should be treated no differently to other workers, irrespective of their employment contract. An employer must assess the risks created by the work activity and put measures in place to eliminate or control the risks.

Under health and safety law, employers must give their workers clear instructions and information, as well as adequate training and supervision. Employers and those who have control over work equipment (e.g. those hiring out work equipment) have responsibilities for equipment provided for use at work.

Health and safety legislation does not separately cover the specific issues of road and fire risk, nor the contractual arrangements for workers.