Pregnancy and night work



Regulation 17 of the Management Regulations says that new or expectant mothers may be suspended from night work where they have a signed certificate from a registered medical practitioner or midwife stating that this is necessary in the interests of health and safety.



HSE guidance for new and expectant mothers was revised following the findings of a parliamentary inquiry looking into pregnancy and maternity discrimination (see below) and is available from the HSE website (see: www.hse.gov.uk/mothers/flowchart.htm).


A new risk assessment action flowchart outlines the action an employer must take and begins with: 


• Stage 1: General Risk Assessment — Assess the risk to the health and safety of your employees, including females of child-bearing age and new and expectant mothers; 


• Stage 2: After notification — revisit your general risk assessment. 


Even if no risk is identified, it advises employers they must still “monitor and review this assessment regularly as circumstances may change”.