Ask the expert/ 'What are the health and safety requirements affecting new and expectant mothers?'

摘要

The main legislation covering health and safety of new and expectant mothers is the Management Of Health And Safety At Work Regulations 1999. Employers are required to take into account risks to new and expectant mothers when assessing risks to all employees and taking reasonably practicable measures to control the risks. A "new or expectant mother' is an employee who is pregnant, who has given birth within the previous 6 months, or who is breastfeeding. Some of the hazards to be considered in assessing risks are awkward spaces and workstations, vibration, noise, radiation, biological agents, chemicals and other hazardous substances, plus working conditions such as inadequate facilities, excessive working hours, unusually stressful work, exposure to cigarette smoke, high or low temperatures, lone working, working at heights, travelling and exposure to violence.