1. The structure of health and safety law
[ch 1: page 11]Key changes and developments since last year
• unions have successfully backed cases establishing that individuals working in the gig economy are “workers”rather than self-employed or independent contractors as set out in their contracts. They are therefore entitled to rights and protections under the Working Time Regulations 1999, for example;
• the Civil Liability Act 2018 came into force in December 2018 paving the way for regulations raising the small claims limit for personal injuries from £1,000 to £2,000;
• the threat of a “no-deal” Brexit, and the risk of weaker health and safety standards, is looking increasingly likely following the election of Boris Johnson as Conservative leader and prime minister in July 2019;
• a member of public and commercial services union PCS won an out-of-court settlement for an injury sustained while working abroad after Thompsons solicitors successfully argued he could claim under English law and secure a higher level of compensation.