| EXPECTANT MOTHER RISK ASSESSMENT |
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A new or expectant mothers risk assessment is required under the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999, and assesses risks associated with being a new or expectant mother at work. A woman is considered to be a new mother within 6 months of having given birth.
Examples of hazards associated with pregnancy at work may be:
- Higher susceptibility to manual handling hazards
- Sensitivity to odours
- Increased fatigue
- Specific related medical problems
It is a requirement that the new or expectant mothers risk assessment be carried out by a competent person. Failure to comply with this requirement may render the risk assessment as non-conforming and void.
On a practical level, the main benefit of a new or expectant mothers risk assessment is to reduce the likelihood of harm occurring to a new or expectant mother.
On a legal level, the main benefit of having a new or expectant mothers risk assessment in place is that if a worst-case scenario does happen and a new or expectant mother is harmed, your organisation will have a legal defence.
These benefits rely on the risk assessment being kept up-to-date, and recommendations made in the risk assessment being acted on within a reasonable timeframe.