What kind of precautions could my employer take if I am pregnant?

The HSE’s guide for employers, New and expectant mothers at work, sets out a two stage approach that your employer should follow in assessing the risks:

• Stage one –the initial risk assessment. Employers should identify and eliminate any hazards and risks to women employees. This is a wide-ranging obligation, and includes new and expectant mothers, and potential risks to the unborn child, or to the child of a woman who is still breastfeeding.
• Stage two – notification of pregnancy, birth or breastfeeding. At this stage, employers are required to carry out a "specific risk assessment, based on the initial assessment" for the employee concerned. The HSE’s guidance includes a flow chart to help the employer decide what steps to take to ensure you avoid any harmful work.

The guidance lists the physical, biological and chemical agents, processes and working conditions relevant to the health and safety of new or expectant mothers. It provides the most up-to-date HSE advice on stress, mental and physical fatigue and violence at work. The booklet describes the risks associated with each hazard, and the accompanying legislation.

The kind of precautions your employer should consider taking depend on the kind of work you do, but things to consider are:

• Putting you on light duties if your job involves manual handling.
• Letting you sit down if your job involves standing.
• Making sure you have regular short breaks.
• Flexible rostering so you can come in late if you suffer from morning sickness.