Employers are responsible for providing a safe working environment while effectively managing risks to the health and safety of all workers.
As an employer you must carry out an individual risk assessment for pregnant workers and new mothers. This covers women who are pregnant, are breastfeeding or have given birth in the last six months. The legal protections also apply to some transgender men, non-binary people and people with variations in sex characteristics, or who are intersex.
Once you have been notified in writing, you must conduct an individual, role specific risk assessment for the individual. When completing the assessment you must include any known medical advice from a midwife or doctor and talk to the expectant mother to explore options of reducing risk. Consult with their safety representative or trade union if they have one.
Having completed a risk assessment, ensure it is recorded and shared with the expectant mother and their consented safety representative. You must regularly review the risks and record any changes.
If you identify a risk that could cause harm to your worker or their child, you must firstly decide if you can control it. If it is not possible to reduce the risk through changes to hours or work conditions, then the Employment Rights Act 1996 states that suitable alternative work should be offered, where appropriate, before any suspension from work, on the same pay and conditions. If that is not possible then you should suspend your worker on paid leave for as long as necessary to protect their health and safety and that of their child.
The HSE website provides advice and guidance to guide employers and employees on how to document and manage risks.
Should you require any additional support please do not hesitate to contact a member of the team on 03332005153 or complete the contact form
