Employees who are pregnant, have given birth or are breastfeeding
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, requires employers to carry out risk assessments for new and expectant mothers. The University of Cambridge builds on this terminology to ensure it is inclusive and considers the statutory provision as applicable to all those who are pregnant or breastfeeding or those who have given birth within the last six months. Herein referred to simply as 'employees'.
Risks will need to be managed to reduce the likelihood of harm in accordance with the University Parental leave policy and procedure
In some workplaces there are specific risks that may affect the health and safety of these employees and their future child, or those returning to work after giving birth.
As pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding are common and foreseeable events in working age parents, all generic workplace risk assessments should consider the likely effects of risks and hazards to new and expectant employees and their children, and appropriate control measures implemented. For many exposures, the most hazardous time is likely to be during the first few weeks of pregnancy, before it may have been disclosed to the employer or before the employee is even aware of the pregnancy themselves. The report of a pregnancy in individual cases is an opportunity to review the adequacy of the control measures in place and any special requirements in individual cases.
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 require employers to provide adequate welfare facilities for pregnant or breastfeeding employees or those who have recently given birth.
Risk assessment
Once an employeehas informed their department in writing that they are pregnant, have given birth within the preceding six months, or are breastfeeding, a more specific risk assessment must be performed using the Risk Assessment for pregnant or breastfeeding employees or those who have recently given birth.
It is best to inform your manager as soon as possible that you may be pregnant so that a specific risk assessment relating to work exposures can be performed. As your pregnancy advances it may be necessary to review the risk assessment. This could either be due to pregnancy related problems or where simple practical issues such as ergonomic and computer work need reviewing.
If the risk cannot be removed, reduced or controlled then the following should be considered:
- temporarily adjusting the employee's working conditions and/or hours of work;
- offering the employee suitable alternative work (at the same rate of pay) if available;
- suspending the employee from work on paid leave for as long as necessary, to protect their health and safety, and that of their unborn child.
If the employee is working with Hazard Group class 3 microbiological agents, is a Classified Radiation Worker or working with other certain high hazard HG 2 agents, - please contact Occupational Health for further advice.
Concerns about health and work
If an employee has any concerns about any aspect of their health and wellbeing, whilst preparing for or during pregnancy, then they should discuss this with their manager. The Department Safety Officer (DSO) and/or Occupational Health (OH) can offer assistance to the employee and their manager. Where required the OH will carry out a confidential health assessment and/or visit the work environment to advise and alleviate work-related risks or any concerns the employee may have.
Breastfeeding on return to work
Should the employee want to continue breastfeeding on return to work the department should be informed in writing so that the risk assessmentcan be reviewed.
A suitable private space and opportunity to express breast milk while at work can then be planned. A secure, clean fridge in which to store the milk, work breaks at appropriate times or flexibility of start and/or finish times whilst breastfeeding will be considered.