Self Employed Exemption From Health And Safety Law – A Cut Of The Red Tape Too Far?

The Deregulation Bill has been developed as part of the Government's plans to 'cut red tape', reinvigorate the economy and help businesses. One of the more controversial changes will be to exempt self-employed people from health and safety law. You've heard the news, now let's examine the facts.

It is the Prime Minister's intention that the Deregulation Bill will limit the "needless" health and safety regulations affecting businesses. A series of regulations will be revoked, which will change the application of health and safety and environmental law at an operational level. These suggested changes will mean that this Government will be the first in history to end a term in office with less regulation on the statute books than when it came into power.

At the Federation of Small Businesses conference, the Prime Minister suggested that businesses will benefit from the relaxation of these regulations and that overall GBP 850 million could be saved each year this way.

One of the more controversial key changes affecting health and safety law is that self-employed people operating in low-risk occupations will be wholly exempted. Government estimates indicate that around 800,000 businesses across the United Kingdom will be exempt.

However, these changes are being viewed with caution. IOSH has commented that although the simplification of...