Template 4
NORTH YORKSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
RISK ASSESSMENT FOR
NEW AND EXPECTANT MOTHERS AT WORKpa
SUMMARY
This procedure covers the health and safety of new and expectant mothers, while they are at work. It directs staff and managers as to what needs to be carried out to safeguard all concerned.
STATUTORY BASE AND GUIDANCE
2.The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
New expectant mothers at work “A guide for employers” HSG122.
CONTACTS
3.Health and Safety Risk Management Services (Manager and Adviser)
Health and Wellbeing Services
CONTENTS
4.General duties
Risk Assessment
Protective measures/Night work
Employers role
Absence on Health and Safety grounds
Form – Personal Risk Assessment (NEM.RA)
Flow Chart – Action checks
Hazards and Risks overview
Aspects affecting work
Risk Assessment – see Flow Chart
Introduction
1.Pregnancy should not be equated with ill health. Any health and safety implications can be adequately addressed by health and safety management procedures.
2.Many women work during their pregnancy and many return to work while they are still breast feeding. Managers need to recognise that some hazards in the workplace may affect the health and safety of new and expectant mothers and of their children.
Employers Duties
3.The law at present requires the County Council to assess risks to all employees, including new and expectant mothers, and to do what is reasonably practicable to control and minimise those risks.
4.The management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations specifically requires employers to take particular account of risks to new and expectant mothers when assessing risks within their work activities.
5.The Regulations are a health and safety requirement once the employer has been informed, in writing by the worker, that she is pregnant.
6.The worker is also required to provide the employer with a certificate from a registered medical practitioner, or a registered midwife, confirming the pregnancy.
7.In assessing risks to new and expectant mothers at work, it is necessary to take action to ensure that they are not exposed to any significant risk. Risks include those to the unborn child, or child of a woman who is still breast feeding – not just risks to the mother herself.
8.Risk assessments should be carried out as a general preventative measure, i.e. female employees of child bearing capacity should be advised about potential risks if they are, or could in the future be pregnant or breast feeding. The manager should also explain what they will do to make sure that new and expectant mothers are not exposed to the risks that could cause them harm.
9.For each workplace/work environment a General Risk Assessment needs to take place in relation to anybody who may be a new or expectant mother. This General Risk Assessment must be displayed at work at all times. See examples at Appendix 3 and 4.
10.A personal risk assessment should also be carried out in cases where information of the pregnancy has been given. Where a significant risk to the health and safety of a new or expectant mother has been identified, the manager needs to decide what action to take. Complete the general risk assessment form.
Protective Measures
11.If unacceptable risk to the employee cannot be avoided through protective or preventative measures, it may be necessary to consider whether it would be reasonable to make changes as follows:-
If reasonable to do so, alter working conditions or hours of work.
If it is not reasonable to make such alterations, or if the risk cannot be avoided in this way, offer suitable alternative employment. Suitable alternative employment means work which is both suitable in relation to the employee concerned and appropriate for her to do in the circumstances and on existing terms and conditions, or terms and conditions which are not substantially less favourable.
If suitable alternative work is not available, the employee should be granted authorised absence from duties. This means that the employee will be entitled to paid leave (where suitable alternative work is available, but refused by the employee, the employee will be allowed to take unpaid leave).
These actions are only necessary where, as the result of a risk assessment, there is genuine concern. If there is any doubt, the manager should seek guidance from the Health and Safety Risk Manager.
Employees doing night work
12.Special considerations need to be given to new and expectant mothers who work at night. The Regulations require that an employee who is new or an expectant mother has a medical certificate stating that night work could affect her health or safety, the employer must either:-
(a)Offer the employee suitable alternative daytime work, if this is available.
(b)If (a) is not a reasonable option, grant authorised absence to the employee from work on paid leave for as long as is necessary, to protect her health or safety.
The employer is required to take these actions only if the risk arises from work.
Responsibilities of the Employee
13.In order to protect her own health and safety and that of her unborn child, it is important that the line manager is informed at the earliest possible date that when an employee becomes pregnant. Whilst at work during the pregnancy, the employee should follow any health and safety guidelines and report any concerns arising from work/work practices.
Authorised Absence on Health and Safety Grounds
14.It should be noted that pregnancy creates biological changes in the body. Particular duties, such as manual handling, moving and transferring may present, during pregnancy, an increased risk of injury. If a job presents risks the employee can be granted authorised absence, on health and safety grounds, for periods both before and after childbirth.
Further details can be found on the Staff Information section of the NYCC Intranet under:
Maternity Scheme
Employees Guidance Notes.
Hazards, Risks and ways of avoiding them
15.Physical, chemical and biological agents and working conditions, the risks/how to avoid the risks are listed in Appendix 1 to this procedure.
16.Other aspects of pregnancy that may affect work are listed in Appendix 2.
Further information
-Visit the Health and Safety Executive website at
-The above apply to all workers – special consideration for “Home workers” and sessional workers is required to take account of their specific workplace which may be variable; when undertaking the General Risk Assessment.
CHECKLIST FOR RISK ASSESSMENT FOR NEWAND EXPECTANT MOTHERS
HAZARDS / WHAT IS THE RISK / HOW TO AVOID RISKSPHYSICAL AGENTS
Movements and postures / Hormonal changes in pregnancy can affect ligaments – increasing susceptibility to injury.
Continuous standing can lead to dizziness, fainting or fatigue. Continuous sitting can lead to backache and increased risk of thrombosis/embolism.
Confined space – need to take account of increasing size during pregnancy.
Dexterity, co-ordination and balance may also be affected – increased risk of accidents. / Need to be careful handling loads, stretching or twisting.
Avoid standing or sitting without regular exercise or movement. Alternate between standing and sitting or provide breaks.
Avoid confined spaces.
Adjust workstations or work procedures.
Adjust workstations or work procedures.
Manual Handling / Risks due to hormonal changes as above. Breastfeeding mothers – discomfort due to increased breast size.
Following caesarean section may be limitation on lifting and handling . / May need to change manual handling task, provide aids or reduce amount of physical work. Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, as amended in 2002.
Limit lifting and handling.
Shocks and vibration / Regular exposure to shocks, low frequency vibration e.g. driving in off-road vehicles, may increase risk of miscarriage. / Avoid work involving low frequency whole body vibrations.
Noise / Prolonged exposure to loud noise may lead to increased blood pressure and tiredness. / Need to comply with Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005.
Ionising radiation / Exposure to ionising radiation can be harmful to unborn child. It can be ingested, inhaled or absorbed through skin. It can pass into milk of breastfeeding mother. / Need to comply with Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999 and Working safely with ionising radiation. Guidelines for expectant or breastfeeding mothers.
Female workers need to declare pregnancy/breastfeeding ASAP.
BIOLOGICAL AGENTS
Hepatitis B, HIV, herpes, TB, syphilis, chicken pox, typhoid, or other biological agents of hazard groups 2, 3 and 4.
Rubella, toxoplasma, cytomegalovirus, Chlamydia in sheep, or other biological agents known to cause abortion/damage to foetus. / These agents can adversely affect an unborn child.
Women in schools may be exposed to chicken pox and rubella.
Hepatitis B/HIV in body fluids is a risk to people cleaning up body fluids/disposing of syringes.
Toxoplasma can be found in raw meat and can be a risk to anyone handling raw meat. / Avoid exposure unless protected by immunisation.
More information in Infection risks to new and expectant mothers in the workplace – A guide for employers.
CHEMICAL AGENTS
Lead / Exposure to lead can impair development of child’s nervous system.
Lead can be transferred from blood to milk – risk to newborn baby. / Exposure of pregnant and breastfeeding women to lead is prohibited.
Need to comply with Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002.
Chemical agents that can be absorbed through the skin – including some pesticides. / Can cause ill-health. / Need to comply with COSHH Regulations 2002 (as amended) and Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 (as amended 1997).
Need to prevent exposure – take precautions to prevent skin contact.
Substances labelled R40, R45, R46, R49, R61, R63, R64, R68
Organic mercury compounds
Antimitotic (cytotoxic drugs) / These can cause cancer, genetic damage, harm to unborn child or harm to breastfed babies.
These can have adverse affects on an unborn child, can poison the mother and can be transferred from blood to milk and thus be a risk to a newborn baby.
Can cause damage to DNA in sperm and eggs. / Avoid exposure, need to comply with COSHH Regulations 2002 (as amended).
All female employees of childbearing age should be fully informed of the hazards.
Carbon monoxide / Carbon monoxide produced from petrol, diesel and LPG engines – risk of carbon monoxide poisoning if engine operated in enclosed area.
Pregnant women may be more susceptible to carbon monoxide.
Carbon monoxide readily crosses placenta – can affect unborn child. / Avoid exposure to carbon monoxide, need to comply with COSHH Regulations 2002 (as amended).
WORKING CONDITIONS
Facilities / Need rest facilities – rest important for new and expectant mothers.
Need easy access to toilet facilities – to protect against risks of infection. Due to pressure on the bladder, pregnant women need to go to the toilet more frequently.
Breastfeeding mothers need a place to express and store milk. / Need somewhere to sit or lie down.
Need to allow new or expectant mothers to leave workstation at short notice, or more frequently than normal.
Need private room, refrigerator and facilities to wash milk containers.
Mental and physical fatigue / Long working hours, shift work and night work can cause fatigue and stress. / May need to adjust working hours. May need to offer day time work if woman has medical certificate stating that night work is affecting her health.
Stress / New and expectant mothers can be vulnerable to stress which can affect health of mother and child. / May need to adjust working conditions or hours, and avoid stressful situations. Tackling work-related stress. A manager’s guide to improving and maintaining employee health and wellbeing.
Extremes of cold or heat / Heat stress. Breastfeeding can be impaired by heat dehydration.
Extreme cold can be hazardous. / Need adequate breaks from working in hot conditions. Need access to drinking water.
Need to provide warm clothing that is suitable for pregnant women.
Work with display screen equipment (VDUs) / Concerns about safety of VDUs and electromagnetic radiation are unfounded.
Need to consider posture and continual sitting at VDUs. / Pregnant women should not be concerned about VDUs.
Need to take breaks, alternate between tasks/sitting and standing. Need comfortable seat to avoid backache. Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 (as amended).
Working alone / May need medical help in an emergency. / Consider Working alone in safety: Controlling the risks of solitary work (1998).
Work at heights / Hazardous for pregnant women to work at heights due to changes in balance and risks of high blood pressure and fainting. / Need to do risk assessment for working at heights.
Driving / Can involve risks of fatigue, stress, vibration and posture. / See specific entries of these risks.
Work related violence / Violence and fear of violence can harm the mother and child. / Need to reduce risk of violence or offer alternative work. Violence at work. A guide for employers.
Work equipment and PPE, including uniforms. / Not necessarily designed for pregnant women, may be uncomfortable or unsafe. / May need to provide alternative clothing/equipment.
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ASPECTS OF PREGNANCY THAT MAY AFFECT WORK
There are aspects of pregnancy that may affect work. The impact will vary during the course of the pregnancy and you will want to keep their effects under review, for example, the posture of expectant mothers changes to cope with increasing size.
Aspects of Pregnancy / Factors in WorkMorning sickness / Early shift work
Exposure to nauseating smells
Backache / Standing/manual handling/posture
Varicose veins / Standing/sitting
Haemorrhoids / Working in hot conditions
Frequent visits to toilet / Difficulty in leaving job/site of work
Increasing size / Use of protective clothing
Work in confined areas
Manual handling
Tiredness / Overtime
Evening work
Balance / Problems of working on slippery, wet surfaces
Comfort / Problems of working in tightly fitting workspaces
GUIDELINES FOR COMPLETION OF PERSONAL RISK ASSESSMENT
General Risk Assessment completed/reviewed refer to:
General Risk Assessment
Hazard Identified refer to:
Hazard and Risks
Aspects of Pregnancy
General Risk Assessment
Comments/Further Preventative Measures Refer to:
Hazards and Risks
Aspects of Pregnancy
NYCC Health and Safety, Procedure 7 – New and Expectant Mothers at Work, Item 11, Protective Measures
Date Assessed
Assessment should take place on notification, before 28 weeks and in the first week of return to work. However, it is recommended that ongoing observation and further assessment should be undertaken as required.
Activity/Process/Situation being assessed: / REF NO:Assessor’s Name: / Position:
Date: / Review Date:
Directorate: / Service Unit:
Workplace:
Persons at Risk: / Employees / Service Users / Visitors / Contractors
Pupils / Other / (specify):
HAZARDS IDENTIFIED / CONTROL MEASURES IN PLACE / RISK LEVEL
H M L
1
2
3
4
5
Is the risk adequately controlled with the above measures? / Yes / No
Is it necessary to implement further control measures / Yes / No
(if yes record in action plan)
ACTION PLAN
HAZ NO / FURTHER CONTROL MEASURES / ACTION BYName(s) / ACTION BY DATE / NEW RISK LEVEL
H M L
Will the risk be adequately controlled with existing and further control measures? / Yes / No
Is this risk assessment associated with other risk assessments? If so, indicate below
COSHH / PPE / Manual Handling / DSE / Fire / Other
If other please describe briefly and reference
DISTRIBUTION
Employee Comments: (for improving the risk assessment or reducing risk still further)
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