advice

[Kra90]

hi there looking for some advice I am currently in early stages of pregnancy I am domestic in hospital i have told my management that I am pregnant and they have mentioned risk assessment is needed to be done but from I told them no one has come near me I have mentioned it again to a few supervisors and again nothing has been done.this is causing me worry and stress as I don’t want anything to happen could any one give me advice please

[Stargirl26]

Hi Kra90 - congratulations on your pregnancy🎊

From my experience, the risk assessment is a formality your employer has to do - so it 100% should happen but unless you already have severe pregnancy symptoms that are affecting your day to day role, it’s unlikely anything will change because of it.

Again from my experience, your employer will ask you some questions and if there are any barriers or issues that need addressing. E.g. if you’re having some back pain, they will look at your desk chair and see if it’s fit for purpose. Or another example, If you’re struggling with sickness in the mornings, they might suggest altering your working hours so you can start later.

Keeping a record is always best so send an email if you can rather than having a face to face discussion with your management team, alternatively speak to your HR dept as ultimately they are the ones who need the risk assessment completed.

Try not to worry or stress - enjoy your time being pregnant and sharing your good news with your work colleagues, they will be a huge support for you over the next 9 months (and beyond) 😁

[Seb9]

Your employers will need to do a risk assessment and make any reasonable adjustments if they find anything that puts you at high risk, but you're also responsible for your health and safety, so if you're doing anything that you think puts you at risk, and you don't feel that you're employer has adequately assessed, then you can bring this to your employers attention and not carry out the work until it's been assessed or adjustments have been made.

I would think as a domestic, they might need to adjust your breaks to make sure they're adequate if you're on your feet all shift, any heavy lifting is done by others or with hoists etc, and what chemicals you're using etc. So definitely raise these with them if they're not making reasonable adjustments.

If they're not providing what you need, then you can contact the health and safety executive and report them or, you can speak to a charity called Pregnant then Screwed which help pregnant people with work related issues.

[Hidden]

Hi, If you are not sure what particular risks could be relevant to your job position, Google "risk assessment for pregnant employees" and asses yourself.

You just need to advocate for yourself if someone requires you to do anything risky.

You mention that you work in hospital, so infection, manual handling and handling of drugs / chemicals comes to mind.

For example you would refuse to do manual handling of patients or working with rubella patients or with ionising/non-ionising radiation.

You should take a rest when you need one...

Your employer will probably get around of doing the assessment with you eventually as it is a legal requirement.

But at the end of the day, you are the only person who can take responsibility for your own safety and wellbeing. That applies always, regardless of pregnancy.

Good luck!