Risk assessment for normal office job?

[Aworryingtrend]

If you work in a standard office, spending the day sitting in front of computer, etc, did your employer carry out a risk assessment when you told them you were pregnant?

Mine haven't which I don't mind as I feel fine and IMO its a low-risk environment, but should I be asking for one anyway?

TIA

I haven't for mine, but I have worked with a lady who requested one.
Result was she got a special desk chair, a rest thingy to rest her arms on and a comfy chair in a dark room to rest in when she got tired!!! Milking it somewhat!

I did, and I got a fan (as it was heading towards summer and the office got very hot). I just asked my line manager for one, and it was arranged in a day or so. I don't think you have to have one, if you don't work in a hazardous environment, but I thought it was worth asking for, just for peace of mind.

I had understood that it was a legal requirement for your employer to carry out a risk assessment wherever you work, though I do work in local government so it might just be that they are a tad obsessive about this kind of thing.

Anyway, I had to have one done as soon as I announced I was pregnant. It was hilarious, particularly the questions about my increased risk of needing the loo. :o

Ooh littlemiss maybe if I play my cards right I could end up with foot rubson demand? Although knowing my workplace, they are so tight I would probably end up with things being taken off me instead of given to me!

that's a shame... imagine a company where you get a free massage or reflexology treatment?!!! We work in loads of companies offering this and I love treating the pregnancy ladies as they are so in need of a knead! anyway not massaging at the mo as so completely knackered, but yes it is a legal requirement so they 'should' get you an assessment.

My employer did a risk assessment - as HidingInTheUndergrowth says, it's a legal requirement.

But given the standard office environment, there was no need for any of my working conditions to change. So it was a bit of a waste of time really.

I wouldn't bother asking for one unless you want something changing, like a new fan / better chair etc.

My company does one every six weeks to make sure that I am comfortable and that I don't require anything to make easier.

Liking the idea of the foot rub and perhaps an on call chocolate fetcher.

xx

There's a pro forma on the HSE website I think. Covers such areas as breaks / screen angle/ toilet arrangements / expressing arrangements when returning to work / victimisation from colleagues... as you say, all a bit meaningless for a desk bound job, but still needs to be done!

I had one only in my 3rd PG. For an office job, there isn't really much to be covered. IIRC someone came to check that the chair and workstation were all beautifully adjusted, and the floor fire wardens were alerted so they knew that in the event of practice or real evacuation they should make every effort to find me and check if I was OK to walk out (or let me into the restricted access allegedly fire proof lift, or alert fire brigade if out of options).

You might want to find out in advance about things like expressing arrangements, but these only really kicked in when discussing return.

I work partly in an office role and as my pregnancy has progressed my back has been in ruins, I would definately consider the chair suggestions you will be very greatful for some comfort trust me