A maternity risk assessment is a process that looks at the specific hazards a working environment to expectant and new mothers. An assessment will commence upon an employee notifying their employer in writing that they are pregnant, have given birth in the last six months, or are breastfeeding. It’s important that the process involves the employee, ensuring their circumstances are factored in. The key steps are an initial assessment—this will occur upon receipt of written notification of pregnancy. Following that, it must be routinely reviewed during the pregnancy, at least once per trimester, this is because condition and risks can change. Discussions with the employee must be frequent to stay updated with their concerns and any medical advice they’ve received. Finally, if the company employs five or more people, findings of significance must be recorded; this includes identifying hazards, who could be harmed, and the measures to implement. Employers are legally required to conduct an assessment, and must consider the individual’s specific needs, as well as advice from their doctor or midwife.
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Yes, the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 is in place to ensure all employers protect their employees and customers from harm whilst on their premises.
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Yes if an employee or member of the public is injured because of the employers' fault, claims can be raised. This can lead to heavy fines having to be paid.
A risk assessment template is a document that identifies potential workplace hazards, evaluates their harm, and records measures to mitigate highlighted risks. The main aspects of the template will include the identification of hazards (anything physical, chemical, biological, or ergonomic), the people at risk (how and to what extent), what measures are in place, and what controls can be implemented.
More and more people have been working from home in recent times. Whether it’s from an office space, the dining-room table, or a desk in the spare room, we class these workers as lone workers. This means they work remotely, without direct supervision, and perform work tasks separate from their colleagues.
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What is a pregnancy risk assessment?
A pregnancy risk assessment assesses any risks that could pose a risk to new mothers – and expectant mothers in the workplace. During the assessment you should record hazards, the likelihood of them causing harm to someone, and the implementation of safety control measures. Any advice given from their doctor/midwife should also form part of the process.
Download our free risk assessment template for pregnancy now and keep your employees safe.
What risks do pregnant employee face?
Pregnant employees, or employees of childbearing age can face specific risks at work, such as work-related stress. But more include:
Manual handling: any new or expectant Mothers in your business should never lift of carry heavy loads.
Posture: pregnant employees should avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time - postural problems can occur even after giving birth.
Working hours: you may have to adjust the working hours of any pregnant employees you have as they will need to attend medical appointments. They may also need more time for breaks.
This makes the need to carry out a pregnancy risk assessment vitally important. Download our pregnancy risk assessment template today and keep your employees safe.
Is a pregnancy risk assessment a legal requirement?
By law, employers should carry out a risk assessment all employees, including those who are pregnant, could become pregnant, and new Mothers. But you must conduct individual risk assessments when it's communicated to you by an employee that they're either:
Pregnant.
Given birth within the last six months.
Breastfeeding.
Once completed, a copy of the assessment should be given to the person who is subject of it taking place.
Workplace laws regarding pregnancy
There are different laws and regulations in UK law that were put in place to ensure the safety of employees who are new mothers or currently pregnant.
Each regulation in place means different duties on you as an employer, these are:
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999: employers are required to manage the risks to pregnant employees and new mothers. This means following advice around working at night, and what affect this will have on pregnant workers.
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992: employers must provide a suitable rest place for employees who are new mothers, breastfeeding, or currently pregnant.
The Equality Act 2010: employers must not discriminate or dismiss an employee because they're pregnant, a new mother, or currently on maternity leave.
Download our free pregnancy risk assessment sample today and learn how to keep your employees from harm.
When should you carry out a pregnancy risk assessment?
You should carry out an individual risk assessment for pregnancy once you've been made aware in writing that you have someone expecting a child in your workforce.
Follow the below steps when carrying our a risk assessment for pregnancy:
Conduct a review of your current control measures for pregnant workers and new mothers.
Have a meeting with the worker in question to gather whether any of their current role could be affected.
If they have any concerns then make sure you discuss them.
Failure to carry out a pregnancy risk assessment could lead to the employee in question being at risk of harm whilst at work. Our team of experts have put together a maternity risk assessment template ready for you to use. Access your risk assessment template for pregnancy now.
It's important you undertake regular reviews of their individual risk assessment for pregnancy as their pregnancy progresses or if there are any changes to their activity.
Should I have a risk assessment template for pregnancy?
Yes it's beneficial for you to have a risk assessment template for pregnancy ready to use. This will show your employees you care about their safety no matter their circumstances.
Within your risk assessment for pregnancy template should include all the steps you'll take to ensure their safety at work right up until they go on maternity leave.
Download our maternity risk assessment template now and take the first steps in employee safety.
How often should a pregnancy risk assessment be reviewed?
You should also review the process as their pregnancy progresses or they return to work following the birth. With the subject of the assessment being made aware of any changes that have been made.
Within the assessment, you should clearly state what control measures are in place – as well as making them aware of any new control measure that are required.
Download our risk assessment template for pregnancy today to avoid harm coming to your employees. Once you have an example risk assessment, you will know how to perform them in the future, ensuring total legal compliance.
What areas should a pregnancy risk assessment cover?
For a pregnancy risk assessment to be effective and manage all risks, it should cover the below areas:
Movement and posture: Is the employee going to be required to be stood for hours or sat in an awkward position?
: Does the employee’s job involve the lifting of heavy items?
Protective equipment and uniforms: For their job, is the employee required to use any protective equipment?
: Is the employee at risk of infection or exposure to chemicals?
Working time: Does the employee work any overtime or night shifts?
Extremes of cold or heat: Is the employee exposed to a very hot or cold climate during their work?
Working at heights: Does the employee’s work involve any up and down of steps or ladders, or any work access platforms?
Work-related violence: Will the employer encounter angry clients or customers?
Welfare issues: Does your company have plenty of rest areas for the employee?
Download our free risk assessment sample for pregnancy now and keep your employees safe.
FAQs: Maternity risk assessment template
What is the employee’s role in the process?
An employee must provide written notification informing their employer that they’re pregnant, have given birth in the last six months, or are breastfeeding. This acts as a trigger for the assessment.
What happens if a risk is identified?
If the maternity risk assessment finds a risk that cannot be resolved, an employer must adhere to a framework that protects employees. The following steps must be taken: an employer must try to make temporary, reasonable adjustments to remove the risk in the workplace. If that isn’t possible, alternative work must be offered. And failing that, the employee will be suspended on full pay for as long as necessary to avoid the risk.
Do risk assessments apply to homeworkers or remote workers?
Employers are legally obliged to carry out a risk assessment for homeworking environments. This means checking workstations, ensuring they pose no threat to employees and their baby.
Do pregnant employees need to disclose their pregnancy for a risk assessment?
Employees aren’t legally obliged to tell their employee that they’re pregnant. However, a written notification to the employer triggers the legal duty to execute a risk assessment.
Download your free pregnancy risk assessment template now
It's vital you maintain the Health & Safety of any new mothers or expectant mothers by performing a risk assessment. This involves risk analysis, assessing existing precautions and ultimately, controlling hazards.
Failure to carry out a pregnancy risk assessment could lead to serious or fatal accidents in your workplace. Consequently, this might lead to financial and reputational damages.
Peninsula offers expert advice on pregnancy risk assessments, as well as a free pregnancy risk assessment sample for you to download.
Our teams provide 24/7 Health & Safety advice which is available 365 days a year. We take care of your business needs when you work with our Health & Safety experts. Want to find out more? Contact us on 0800 028 2420 and book a free consultation with a qualified Health & Safety consultant today.
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