8. Health and safety for new and expectant mothers

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) describes a new and expectant mother as a woman who is pregnant or has given birth in the last six months or is breastfeeding.

Being pregnant does not mean that a woman cannot work but the law provides extra protection for the health and safety needs of new and expectant mothers. To ensure that employees get access to this legal protection as soon as possible, they must tell their employers they are pregnant at an early stage. This is even more important if they have health and safety concerns about their work.

There are certain types of workplace risks that are more likely to affect new and expectant mothers, specific examples include:

• lifting and other physical work;

• exposure to infections;

• standing up for long periods;

• heat;

• excessive working hours;

• lone working;

• work- related stress;

• exposure to lead, and certain other chemicals such as drugs and pesticides;

• threat of violence in the workplace.