How to carry out a general risk assessment 

 

Where an employer employs employees of childbearing age, it must carry out a risk assessment taking into account any processes, working conditions or agents which could jeopardize the health and safety of new or expectant mothers, or that of their babies. This forms part of a general risk assessment. It addresses risks to all employees of childbearing age.

There is no prescribed way to carry out a risk assessment but employers should take into account Health and Safety Executive guidance which can be accessed by using the following links: 

It is a good idea for employers to discuss the general risk assessment with staff and seek their input. They have expert knowledge of the work that they do.

After undertaking the general risk assessment, the employer should write this up for their records. A template for a general risk assessment is available here.

Employers should call the Health and Safety Executive information line on 0870 1545 500 if they have any questions in relation to risk assessments and wish to speak with someone.

Employers can also make use of the HSE Workplace Health Connect service. This is a confidential service designed to give free, practical advice on workplace health, safety and return to work issues, to businesses with between 5 and 250 workers in England and Wales. Call 0845 609 6006 for more information.

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How to carry out a specific risk assessment

An employer must carry out a specific risk assessment when an employee provides written notification that she is pregnant, has given birth within the previous six months or is breastfeeding.  A specific risk assessment addresses the risks to this one employee.

The risk assessment must take into account any advice provided by the employee’s doctor or midwife.

There is no prescribed way to carry out a risk assessment but employers should take into account Health and Safety Executive guidance which can be accessed by using the following links: 

It is a good idea to discuss the specific risk assessment with the employee and seek her input. She knows better than anyone else what she does on a day-to-day basis. The discussion may help to address any concerns which the employee might have, and encourage her to raise any issues as they emerge in the future.

After undertaking a specific risk assessment, the employer should write this up for their records. Employers should record the hazards identified and action to be taken to remove or reduce the hazard.  For completeness, employers should also note the hazards which they considered during the risk assessment and which they decided did not warrant action. A template for a specific risk assessment is available here.

An assessment must be reviewed and appropriate changes made where there is a significant change in the workplace environment. It is important to regularly monitor changes in the workplace and the health of the employee. It is also a good idea to set a date for review of specific risk assessment.

Employers should call the Health and Safety Executive information line on 0870 1545 500 if they have any questions in relation to risk assessments and wish to speak with someone.

Employers can also make use of the HSE Workplace Health Connect service. This is a confidential service designed to give free, practical advice on workplace health, safety and return to work issues, to businesses with between 5 and 250 workers in England and Wales. Call 0845 609 6006 for more information.


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Common Working Conditions and Agents to Look Out For

Some common risks identified by the HSE in its publication entitled “A Guide For New and Expectant Mothers Who Work” include:

  • lifting/carrying of heavy loads
  • standing or suiting for long periods of time
  • exposure to infectious diseases
  • work-related stress
  • workstations and posture
  • exposure to radioactive material
  • other people’s smoke in the workplace
  • threat of violence in the workplace
  • long working hours
  • excessively noisy workplaces

More detail about possible hazards is given in the HSE publication entitled “New and Expectant Mothers At Work: A Guide For Employers” (see Addition resources section for more information).  This publication also provides information about how these hazards can be removed or reduced.

Where an employee is exposed to lead, radioactivity or infectious diseases, it is strongly recommended that the employer contact the Health and Safety Executive for professional advice.


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