New and Expectant Mother Risk Assessment (UK)

When an employee tells her employer she is pregnant, has given birth in the last six months or is breastfeeding, the employer must consider the specific risks to her and her baby and adjust the work where needed. This guide explains the duty and the hazards.

When it applies

The duty is triggered when an employee notifies her employer in writing that she is pregnant, has given birth within the previous six months, or is breastfeeding. The employer must then consider the risks to her and to her child and act on them. Good employers also consider risks to women of childbearing age in their general assessment.

The hazards to consider

1. Heavy lifting and manual handling, which becomes riskier as pregnancy progresses.
2. Standing or sitting for long periods.
3. Exposure to harmful substances, lead, and certain biological agents.
4. Excessive heat, noise and vibration.
5. Long hours, night work and stress.
6. Work at height and the risk of slips, trips and falls.

The employer duty

If a risk is found, the employer must remove it, and if that is not reasonable, adjust the hours or conditions. If that is not reasonable either, offer suitable alternative work, and only if none exists, suspend on full pay. The assessment should be reviewed as the pregnancy progresses, because the risks change.

Keep it supportive

This is a conversation with the employee, not a form done to her. Her own view of what she can manage matters, and adjustments should be agreed with her.

Record it

Record the hazards, the adjustments agreed and the review dates. Our risk assessment template gives you the form. For the general method, see our risk assessment guide.