Pregnant Employees Risk Assessments

Introduction:

The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007, Part 6, Chapter 2, Protection of Pregnant, Post Natal and Breastfeeding Employees (the Pregnancy Regulations)  apply when an employee informs her employer that she is pregnant, has recently given birth or is breastfeeding and provides an appropriate medical certificate.  As the earliest stages of pregnancy are the most critical ones for the developing child it is in the employee’s best interest to let her employer know she is pregnant as soon as possible.

The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005 and the Pregnancy Regulations, 2007 require that a risk assessment be done as part of the safety statement.  This is required in all workplaces.  The risk assessment should already have identified any hazards, which may present a risk during pregnancy.  The risk assessment specifically required by the Pregnancy Regulations should therefore, be a re-appraisal of these hazards. 

Also the Maternity Protection Act 1994 and Amendment Act 2004 give details on:

  • Entitlements to maternity leave
  • Entitlements to clinic visits
  • Maintenance of job security
  • Health & Safety Leave
  • Health & Safety Benefits

The Pregnancy Regulations and the Maternity Protection Acts  1994 and 2004 give effect to the health and safety provisions of the Pregnant Workers’ Directive (92/85/EEC).

The purpose of Pregnant Employees Risk Assessment is to ensure that new or expectant mothers are not exposed to conditions hazardous to their health or of their unborn or breastfed baby.

Risk assessment checklist will be tailored to the requirements of an expectant mother`s workplace, but typically will address the following issues:

  • Physical shock;
  • Vibration;
  • Excessive heat or cold;
  • Manual handling of loads;
  • Movement and posture;
  • Ionising and non-ionising radiation;
  • Biological agents;
  • Chemicals.

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