Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps the Health and Safety Executive is taking to ensure that companies using self-employed food delivery riders comply with (a) their legal obligations as clients under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and (b) the duty to ensure the (i) competence of contractors and (ii) safety of systems of work involving (A) fire and (B) road risk.

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.