New and Expectant Mothers
Introduction
This guidance document and risk assessment is aimed at new and expectant mothers, and their managers. It outlines helpful information and the University risk assessment process. Once line managers are notified that a member of their staff is pregnant, or is breastfeeding, a 'New and Expectant Mothers at Work Risk Assessment' must be completed (a link to the template can be found at the bottom of this page).
Specific laws relating to new and expectant mothers at work are mainly contained in:
- The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSW) which require employers to protect the health and safety of new and expectant mothers.
- The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992.
- The Equality Act 2010.
What sort of risks might I be exposed to?
You may be at risk from processes, working conditions or physical, biological and chemical agents and these risks will vary depending on your health, and at different stages of your pregnancy. Some of the more common risks might be:
- Lifting/carrying heavy loads;
- Standing or sitting still for long lengths of time;
- Exposure to infectious diseases
- Exposure to toxic chemicals;
- Work-related stress;
- Workstations and posture;
- Exposure to radioactive material;
- Threat of violence in the workplace;
- Long working hours;
- Excessively noisy workplaces.
These will be assessed as part of the risk assessment process.