Working in pregnancy.

[Jess234]

Hi,

My baby is due in August and I?m working full-time, finding it difficult due to tiredness and mood swings. At the moment I?m trying to get my employer to do a risk assessment (which is required by law). Just wondering if anybody has any tips/hints on how to get through it?

Jess

[Jess234]

Happyspider,

Thanks for the advice. I have asked my employer to do the risk assessment but they are reluctant to do it. I have found some information to show them, which is similar to the advice you have given. So hopefully they will sort it out.

Anyway thanks for replying and I hope everything goes well.

[happyspider]

Hi Jess
Sympathize as I am 38 weeks pg and still working, it's hard and the lack of sleep and change in my body sometimes just make me feel like I want to stay in bed all day, I haven't long to go now, but I know what you are going through.
I had the same problem at work a few months ago and had to have my risk assessment done too.

Mainly it depends on the job you do, as if you have a deskbound job and you travel to the same office, the only thing they can do is to give you flexi time. Like you can start late and finish late, according to what suits you best.

If you have a more demanding job, this is the list of factors that can prove risky at work for pg women:
Handling of loads entailing risk or injury

Movements or postures

Shocks, vibration or movement

Travelling (either inside or outside the workplace)

Noise

Extremes of hot or cold

Ionising or non-ionising radiation

Work in hyperbaric atmospheres (e.g. pressurised enclosures or diving)

Biological agents

Chemical agents

Mercury or mercury derivatives

Antimitotic (cytotoxic) drugs

Carbon monoxide

Lead and lead derivatives

Underground mining work

Generally, employers should try to remove the hazard or prevent exposure to the risk. If that is not possible the employer should reduce the risk, for example, by giving you help with manual handling duties.

If, despite taking all measures, there is still a risk that could jeopardise your health or safety , then the employer must remove the woman from the risk.

The MHSW regulations say that the employer only needs to do this when they have been told in writing that a woman is pregnant, breastfeeding or has given birth in the last 6 months. They also allow for the employer to ask in writing for a certificate from a doctor or midwife confirming the woman is pregnant. Despite this requirement for written notification more general legal duties require employers to take the action necessary to protect a woman they know to be pregnant or breastfeeding whether or not formal notification has been received.

employers must temporarily adjust the woman’s working conditions and/or hours of work; or if that is not possible offer her suitable alternative work if any is available; or if that is not available, suspend her from work for as long as necessary to protect her safety or health or that of her child


You can find more info on this on the Tiger website at:

www.tiger.gov.uk/maternity/employer_april03/hands.htm