Health and Safety at work

[OatcakeCravings]

Hi,

Quick question - has anyone had a risk assessment done on their job since they told their employers they were pregnant? See: www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/HealthAndSafetyAtWork/DG_4016686

for more details. It seems to be a legal requirement.

Thanks

My work has made some noises about doing one, but don't appear to have actually done so... Mind you, I don't work in a remotely risky job.

No but I find if I say I'm getting a sore back from sitting sit in front of the computer they are pretty quick to do something about it!

I am from a health and safety background and it is a legal requirement under the HASAWA 1974 that employers carry out risk assesments for ALL employees.
For expectant mothers this is even more imperative because of the risks to the mother and unborn child. Your work in itself may not be 'risky' but it could be something as simple as the way you sit at a desk and whether you have footrests etc to combat any discomfort while at a workstation, to levels of pollutants you may be exposed to, to noise and lighting levels. This should also emcompass flexible working so you are not put at risk travelling in busy times of the day (esp on public transport) to the provision of somewhere for you to rest if you become tired/ unwell.
It is is an emplyers interset to ensure tis is done for you, because the implications to them should anything untoward happen to an expectant mother while in their workplace would be very serious.
Hope this helps!

Sorry - Employers interest ! Oops forgot my vowels!

My employer did this for me almost straight away, work in childcare. Didn't really say much but gave me the opportunity to flag up anything i was uncomfortable with.

Just seconding Blocky, yes they have to do it by law whatever job you do, there are always risks in any job and the risks increase when you are pg, no they need to identify measure to help reduce these risks. My husband is a H & S Manager and he helped our small office here produce one when one of our colleague found out she was pg as we didn't have a clue!

Hiya,

Thanks very much folks. After some further digging around it seems that I have to inform my employer in writing that I am pregnant - have only told them verbally - before they do an assessment.

Thanks again.