¹û¶³Ó°Ôº

This page provides guidance on how to protect females of child-bearing age, pregnant women, new mothers and women who are breastfeeding from health and safety risks at work.

On this page:

• Risk assessment
• Hazards
• DSE workstation
• Travel
• Breastfeeding
• Significant health and safety risk
• Review

¹û¶³Ó°Ôº has a legal and moral dutyÌýto protect women of childbearing age from hazards and risks in the workplace. Some risks can affect the health and safety of new and expectant mothers and that of their child. Working conditions which are usually considered acceptable may notÌýbe suitable during pregnancy and/or breastfeeding.

The guidance detailed below will support departments and managers to ensure they are complying with their legal duties and doing everything reasonable to protect new andÌýexpectant mothers.

Risk assessment

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Existing workplace risk assessments should already consider the risks to female employees, students, third-parties and visitorsÌýof child-bearing age.Ìý

In line withÌý¹û¶³Ó°Ôº's Maternity Policy, once an employee notifies their line manager that they are pregnant, a specific risk assessment mustÌýbe conducted. The risk assessment shouldÌýidentify any potential risks in the workplace to the employee and their unborn child.ÌýThe risk assessment must also take into account any medical advice from the pregnant worker's GP or midwife, about the health of the pregnant worker.

The use of the riskNET risk assessment module is mandatory at ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº to record risk assessments.

> (¹û¶³Ó°Ôº login required)

There is no template for a new and expectant mothers risk assessment provided on riskNET, as there isÌýa vast range of workspaces with an array of risk profiles at ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº. It is recommended to create a copy of the existing risk assessment for the pregnant worker's place of work and adapt this accordingly.Ìý

The risk assessment for the new and expectant mother should be reviewed at each trimester.

The risk assessment shouldÌýbe markedÌýconfidential so that the information is not accessible to other riskNET users.

Hazards

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The hazards which may affect a new or expectant mother ariseÌýfrom working conditions andÌýprocesses or physical, biological and chemical agents. The risks vary depending on the health of the individual and the stage of pregnancy.

Listed below are some common hazards to consider as part of the risk assessment:

Working conditions and processes

• Provision of welfare facilities (including rest rooms)Ìý
• Mental and physical fatigue due to working hours
• Stress (including post-natal depression)Ìý
• Workstations and posture
• Thermal comfort
• Threat of violence in the workplace
• Emergency evacuation (refer to ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Fire TN008)
• Passive smoking
• Working alone
• Working at height

Physical agents

• Standing or sitting still for long periods of time
• Lifting/carrying heavy or awkwardÌýloads
• Excessively noisy workplaces
• ExposureÌýto radioactive material
• Electric shock
• Exposure to vibration

Chemical agents

• Exposure to toxic chemicals

Biological agents

• Exposure to infectious diseases

Display screen equipment (DSE) workstation

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Pregnant workersÌýcan safely work with display screen equipment (DSE).ÌýScientific studies have not shown any link between miscarriages or birth defects and working with DSE.Ìý

All staff should have an existing ¶Ù³§·¡Ìý²¹²õ²õ±ð²õ²õ³¾±ð²Ô³ÙÌýand this can be reviewed by the pregnant worker during each trimester of the pregnancy to ensure they feel as comfortable as possible.

Additional breaks away from the DSE workstation is recommended for pregnant workers and the frequency and length of these breaks may increase as the pregnancy progresses.Ìý

Travel

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Outside of the workplace, it is important to be mindful of the risks pregnant workers may face travelling to and from their place of work.Ìý

To ensure the safety of the pregnant worker,Ìýthe below may be considered as required.

• Travel outside of peak travel times
• Avoid travel during periods of extreme weather
• Avoid travelling outside of daylight hours, this may make pregnant workers unsuitable for night working

Breastfeeding

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¹û¶³Ó°Ôº isÌýcommittedÌýto supporting parents who wish to breastfeed on their return to work and have identified suitable facilities to do so.Ìý

> Further information about quiet rooms in the workplace that can be used for breastfeeding and/orÌýexpressing milk.

Significant health and safety risk

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If a significant health and safety risk is identified in the pregnant workers risk assessment, which goes beyond the normal level of risk found outside the workplace, you must take the following actions:

Review

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The pregnant workersÌýrisk assessment should be reviewed regularly as the pregnancy progresses. It is recommended that the risk assessment should be reviewed atÌýeach trimester.Ìý

It can be reviewed more regularly if there are significant changes to the workplace,Ìýthe health of the worker or at the workers request.Ìý