Risk assessment at work. When should it be done?

[Sunflower2018]

I am around 8 weeks pregnant and I told my manager on the weekend. She said I am to early to do a risk assessment. I am a supervisor in a busy working environment. I open and close the store, run shifts ect. When I do open the store I start at 6am and I am on my own in the shop until 6.30 when the next person arrives.

My manager said that I am 'to early' to do a risk assessment... I didn't realise that being to early was a problem as the first 12 weeks are extremely important in the baby's development. As I MC only 3 months ago I am extremely cautions and nervous about what I am doing but there are jobs which I can not avoid doing... I feel I need to tell all of my colleagues so they can be careful around me and understand that I'm not just being lazy but I don't want to tell them just yet incase anything does goes wrong again...

I feel really awkward to talk to my manager again about risk assessments ect because she clearly didn't seem overly bothered. Now I just don't know what to do!

Any suggestions as to what to say/ do? X

If you are happy for your colleagues to know if you have a miscarriage then let them now.

Your risk assessment should be carried out now if you have informed your management and then re-done later to assess your changing need.

I don't particularly want to tell my colleagues yet as I want to make sure everything is ok with baby first. I did think it was odd that my manager didn't suggest I do a risk assessment. I think I will bring it up with her again because I know the odds are unlikely but if anything was to happen at work I really wouldn't forgive myself or her for not ensuring everything is safe as possible x

I had one done as soon as I told work then one every month until I went on maternity leave.
I work in a shop, working deliveries, serving on tills.

It's not too early. As far as I know a risk assessment has to be done once you've informed your employer. Can you find your company maternity policy - I would expect this to be in there? I'm a teacher so different situation but I would be surprised if she doesn't have to do one at this point. Find the relevant bit of the policy and email it to her, with your request in writing. Or refer it to your HR department - actually the latter is probably your best course of action.

My understanding is that risk assessments for expectant mothers are not a legal requirement as long as an overall H&S risk assessment for the site/business has been conducted.

There's info here www.hse.gov.uk/mothers/faqs.htm

If there are specific elements of your role that you feel are a risk, I would outline those and your suggestions to mitigate the risk in writing to your manager.

I have done mine at 6 weeks for all my pregnancies but am in a high risk job. Too early is bullshit however as pp says they don't need to do one of their current risk assessments adequately cover pregnant folks doing your role. Maybe ask to see them and then assess if you need a further risk assessment?

I believe legally they have to do one on your behalf as soon as you have told them. Have you formally told them? I think it’s meant to be your manager that completes it on your behalf however. I don’t think you are meant to fit in the stupid thing yourself. I hate this sort of this... it’s all about the company covering themselves!

As others have said, it's not too early to do one - however it isn't a legal requirement if their usual risk assessments cover you and you're not being asked to do anything unsafe. For example I didn't get one as a teacher because I don't work with chemicals, or one to one with violent kids.

However if there are bits of your job that are making you uneasy that you want to change you should put it in writing. I know pregnancy after a loss is awful but please try not to blame anything you've done! In a normal job you're highly unlikely to be doing anything to risk the babies development and carrying on as normal is generally recommended unless there's anything the midwife says is risky.

Thank you all for he replies. I will speak again to my manager and ask for a copy of the policy as I haven't yet received it. I remember when I said I was pregnant last time my manager said that I can't have he policy until after my 12week scan... I don't really know the process of this but it's not like I'm in a high risk job but like I say, I am just being extra cautions. Thanks all x

My hr department forgot the tell the health and safety manager 😂 I have a really small bump and wore a lot of baggy clothes so he didn't realise until I was 30 weeks. He was so angry, told me he should of been told and done the risk assessment at 12 weeks

Had mine done at 6 weeks - I work for the NT on an estate and so lots of potential hazards with conservation materials and old building hazards and what not, and it benefits the employer in the long run.

Or teacher at 30 weeks and still not had one... 🙄 imminently being signed off so looking like it won’t happen!

I’m 32 weeks and still not had one. And I work in job that could be deemed high risk. I did ask about it but didn’t want to be pushy.

As soon as you're pregnant they should do one. I had one done as soon as I found out because the first 12 weeks are massive for development of the baby... All the organs and stuff being made. Really important to have one in place (does vary from 1 work place to the next but I work with anaesthetic gasses, x-rays etc so was pushy to get one done immediately).