The New and Expectant Parents Policy aims to reduce any identified risks to new and expectant parents and to provide practical guidance on measures to protect them. Somerset Council wants to ensure that all employees, who are new or expectant parents, are not exposed to unacceptable risks whilst they are at work and are provided with appropriate welfare facilities, for example when expressing milk upon their return to work.

The associated Guidance explains that a specific risk assessment for a pregnant employee should be completed once an employee notifies a manager of the pregnancy. The assessment should take the form of an open discussion between the manager and employee, recorded on Form HS F17a and the F17a Manager’s Guide is a useful reference. Using any relevant medical advice, the manager should assess any workplace risks to the employee and the unborn child and agree practical actions to reduce the risks. The assessment will need regular review throughout the pregnancy.

In the past employees have asked, do I really need a risk assessment? It’s important to see the risk assessment is completed as a collaborative process involving discussions between the pregnant employee and their manager. We want our employees to be healthy and happy at work during their pregnancy, and so we need their input and thoughts to make the process work. It’s about:

• Looking at features of work or workplace that might increase the risk of harm to the employee or their baby during pregnancy, and discussing how we can work together to reduce these risks.
• Discussing how the employee is feeling, physically and mentally.
• Whether they are getting unpleasant symptoms of pregnancy that we might be able to help with by altering aspects of their work.
• Encouraging them to tell their manager when things change.

The assessment might conclude that there is nothing significant to be concerned about in which case it provides reassurance and there will be little that needs changing. On the other hand, if there are things which give rise to risks, the assessment approaches them in a methodical manner so that safer alternatives can be worked out. Maybe the GP or midwife mentioned something to them about their work that could be relevant? If so, it can be extremely helpful if the manager knows so it can be considered, or they could discuss concerns with their midwife.

Learn more:

Policies and Guidance
Protecting pregnant workers and new mothers – HSE