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Issue: V1.1
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The University of Salford
Pregnant Students and New Mothers at Study - Risk Assessment Checklists
Pregnant Students
As soon as a student advises you they are pregnant, you must complete the pregnant students risk
assessment checklist for University related activities.
It is the responsibility of a placement provider to undertake the risk assessments for the students
studying or undertaking a placement with them.
Checklist 1 should be used to assess the activities, which may result in significant risk to the
mother or unborn child during pregnancy. A copy of the completed checklist should be retained for
record purposes and a copy given to the pregnant student.
This assessment should cover all activities. If significant risks are identified by the assessment you
should remove the hazard; prevent exposure; or introduce control measures to reduce the risk.
If there is still a significant risk, the following steps must be taken:
Step 1 – temporarily adjust the study conditions. If this is not reasonable, or would not avoid
the risk;
Step 2 – interrupt study and commence maternity leave, should be taken.
The hazards relating to the physical, biological, chemical agents and general study conditions
should be included in the risk assessment. A summary of the hazards is included at the end of this
document to assist your assessment and discussion with the student (see appendix 1 for details).
In addition, a list of the other aspects, which may affect ability to study, are also included (see
appendix 2). Their impact will vary at different stages of the pregnancy and you will need to monitor
their impact throughout the pregnancy.
If advice or assistance is needed with the risk assessment, you can contact your health and safety
coordinator for support. Details of your coordinator can be found at:
http://www.salford.ac.uk/hr/health-and-safety/local-safety-contacts
New Mothers Breastfeeding
Checklist 2 should be used when the new mother is returning to study and intends to breastfeed
their baby.
If the new mother is planning to return to study within 6 weeks of the birth of their baby, the new
mother should be advised to confirm with their midwife or GP that they are well enough to return
and resume study, and any restrictions that need to be imposed. These restrictions will need to be
discussed with the Programme Leader, to see if reasonable adjustments can be put in place.
However, it might not be appropriate for the new Mum to return to their programme until the
restrictions are no longer required.
If the new mother is planning to return to study more than 6 weeks after the birth of their baby, they
must confirm that the 6 week post-natal check with their midwife or GP has taken place and they
are able to resume their normal study.
If there are any complications or restrictions, the midwife or GP must detail what these are. If the
new mother is undertaking a programme supported by Student Occupational Health facility, an
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appointment should be made by the new mother. If the programme leader has any concerns about
the health or wellbeing of the new mother resuming study, they should refer the new mother to the
student’s GP or Student Occupational Health facility, as appropriate.
Suitable spaces for new mothers to breast feed or express milk will be provided on request in an
appropriate University building. Before the new mother returns to work, the school office should
contact the Estates & Property Services helpdesk to request access to a room. Five working days’
notice is required to enable them to prepare and clean a room for the new mother.
Estates and Property Services can be contacted via:
Telephone - 0161 295 4444
Email - estates-supportteam@salford.ac.uk
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The University of Salford
Checklist 1 – Risk Assessment for Pregnant Students at Study
Section A - Personal Details
Student Name:
School:
Programme of Study:
Module
Anticipated date of confinement:
Student’s Signature:
Date:
Programme Leader (print):
Signature:
Section B – Remedial Actions
List of actions required:
By when:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Section C - Does the individual undertake physical activities which involve:
1. Physical shocks, low frequency
vibration or excessive movement?
YES/NO If YES, redesign task
2. Manual handling of heavy loads
where there is a risk of injury?
If YES, assess the activity and take steps to
YES/NO reduce the risks by task redesign or reducing
physical work
3. Prolonged exposure to loud noise?
YES/NO If YES, reduce noise level or limit exposure
4. Ionising radiation?
YES/NO
5. Extremes of heat?
YES/NO
6. Excessive movement, travel, mental
or physical fatigue?
YES/NO
7. Pressurised atmospheres?
YES/NO
If YES, refer to detailed risk assessments in
accordance with the Ionising Radiation
Regulations
If YES, ensure rest facilities and access to
refreshments are available
If YES, take action to reduce risk by task
redesign
If YES, seek advice from Health & Safety
Coordinator
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Section D - Study Conditions:
1. Does study involve working
underground or in cramped/confined
spaces?
2. Is study likely to result in excessive
tiredness or fatigue?
3. Is access to good hygiene facilities
restricted or difficult?
YES/NO
If YES, arrange for alternative work/interrupt
study
If YES, arrange for alternative work/interrupt
study
If YES, arrange for alternative work/interrupt
YES/NO
study
YES/NO
Section E – Biological Agents:
1. Does study involve biological
agents?
YES/NO
If YES, refer to COSHH assessment regarding
implementation of control measures.
YES/NO
If YES, refer to COSHH assessment for
employing control measures
YES/NO
If YES, refer to COSHH assessment for
employment of control measures.
YES/NO
If YES, refer to COSHH assessment for
employment of control measures.
YES/NO
If YES, refer to COSHH assessment for
employment of control measures.
Section F – Chemical Agents:1. Does study involve working with
substances labelled with risk phrases
R40, R45, R46, R49, R61, R63,
R64 and R68 or H340, H341,
H360, H361, H362?
2. Does study involve working with
substances, preparations or processes
listed in Annex 1 of EC Directive,
Control of Carcinogenic Substances?
3. Does study involve working with
mercury, mercury derivatives or
antimitotic (cytotoxic) drugs?
4. Can the student come into contact
with agents marked ‘SK’ according to
guidance book EH40. This may also
include some pesticides
5. Exposure to carbon monoxide?
6. Does study involve exposure to
lead?
If YES, remove individual from the source as
YES/NO carbon monoxide causes oxygen starvation to
the foetus
If YES, refer to detailed risk assessments in
YES/NO
accordance with the Lead at Work
Regulations
Section G - Specialist Medical Advice:
1. Has the student received medical
advice from their GP or Midwife
concerning study restrictions that
should be taken into account during
pregnancy?
YES/NO
If YES, record these with action taken in
Section B above.
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Checklist 2 - Risk Assessment for New Mothers Breastfeeding at Study
Section A - Personal Details
Student Name:
School:
Programme of Study:
Module
Anticipated date of confinement:
Student’s Signature:
Date:
Programme Leader (print):
Signature:
Section B – Remedial Actions
List of actions required:
By when:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Section C – Biological Agents:
1. Does study involve biological
agents?
YES/NO
If YES, refer to COSHH assessment regarding
implementation of control measures.
YES/NO
If YES, refer to COSHH assessment for
employing control measures
YES/NO
If YES, refer to COSHH assessment for
employment of control measures.
YES/NO
If YES, refer to COSHH assessment for
employment of control measures.
YES/NO
If YES, refer to COSHH assessment for
employment of control measures.
Section D – Chemical Agents:1. Does study involve working with
substances labelled with risk phrases
R40, R45, R46, R49, R61, R63,
R64 and R68 or H340, H341,
H360, H361, H362?
2. Does study involve working with
substances, preparations or processes
listed in Annex 1 of EC Directive,
Control of Carcinogenic Substances?
3. Does study involve working with
mercury, mercury derivatives or
antimitotic (cytotoxic) drugs?
4. Can the student come into contact
with agents marked ‘SK’ according to
guidance book EH40. This may also
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include some pesticides
5. Exposure to carbon monoxide?
6. Does study involve exposure to
lead?
If YES, remove individual from the source as
YES/NO carbon monoxide causes oxygen starvation to
the foetus
If YES, refer to detailed risk assessments in
YES/NO accordance with the Lead at Work
Regulations
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Appendix 1
Hazard
Risk
Physical Hazards – where these are regarded as agents causing foetal lesions and/or likely
to disrupt placenta attachment and in particular:
Increased susceptibility to ligament damage and
Movements and posture/load handling
postural problems
Can lead to dizziness, fainting and fatigue. It can also
Standing for long periods
contribute to an increased risk of premature childbirth
and miscarriage.
Poses a relatively high risk of thrombosis or
embolism, particularly with constant sitting. In later
Sitting for long periods
stages of pregnancy, more likely to experience
backache.
Regular exposure to shocks, low frequency vibration
Shocks and Vibration
(e.g. off road vehicles) or excessive movement may
increase risk of miscarriage.
No specific risk, but prolonged exposure to loud noise
Noise
may lead to increased blood pressure and tiredness
Ionising radiation
Harmful to unborn child
Non ionising radiation
No specific risks identified
Work in pressurised enclosures –
hyperbaric atmosphere
Risk to unborn child
Underground mining or confined spaces
Difficult physical conditions and may pose risk owing
to cramped conditions and dangerous atmosphere
Biological Agents – infectious diseases
Any biological agent of hazard group 2, 3
or 4
Biological agents know to cause abortion
of the unborn child, or physical and
neurological damage.
Diseases in these risk groups may be transmitted
through the placenta whilst child is in the womb, or
during or after birth, for example through
breastfeeding.
These include: rubella (German measles),
toxoplasma, cytomeglavirus (common outside the
workplace) Chlamydia in sheep.
Chemical Agents – may enter the human body through different pathways: inhalation,
ingestion, cuts and abrasions, and dermal absorption. The following may endanger the
health of the pregnant woman and unborn child
Substances labelled R40, R45, R46, R61,
The actual risk to health can only be determined by a
R63, R64, R68 and H340, H341, H360,
detailed risk assessment
H361 and H362
Preparations labelled on the basis of
The actual risk to health can only be determined by a
Directive 1999/45/EC
detailed risk assessment
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Chemical agents and industrial processes
in Annex 1 to Directive 90/394/EEC
Mercury and mercury derivatives
Antimitotic (cytotoxic) drugs
Chemical agents of known and dangerous
absorption through skin – this includes
some pesticides.
Carbon monoxide
Lead and lead derivatives
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The actual risk to health can only be determined by a
detailed risk assessment
Organic mercury compounds could have adverse
effects on the unborn child.
In the long term these drugs cause damage to genetic
information in sperm and eggs. Some cause cancer.
Absorption is by inhalation or through the skin.
Can penetrate skin and cause ill health effects.
This substance readily crosses the placenta and can
result in unborn child being starved of oxygen.
Indications are that exposure to lead, either before or
after birth via the mother or during early childhood,
can impair development of the child’s nervous system.
Study conditions
Tiredness/fatigue and resting facilities
Access to hygiene facilities
Stress
Passive smoking
Extremes of cold or heat
Use of VDU’s
Lone working
Working at heights
Work related violence
Personal protective equipment
Appendix 2
Tiredness increases during and after pregnancy and
this may have an effect on work patterns and or
working hours
Without easy access to toilets and associated hygiene
facilities, there may be significant risk of infection and
kidney disease
Hormonal, physiological and psychological changes in
addition to changes in life circumstances may lead to
an increased vulnerability to anxiety and depression.
Cigarette smoke poses a risk to the infant
Extremes of temperature or sudden temperature
changes may lead to physical stress
There is no scientific link between use of VDU’s and
birth defects or miscarriage
Pregnant women are more likely to need urgent
medical attention
It is hazardous for pregnant women to work at heights,
for example ladders, platforms, etc.
There is an increased risk to students who are
pregnant, have recently given birth or are
breastfeeding, who may be subject to work related
violence. It can lead to detachment of the placenta,
miscarriage, premature birth, etc.
Physiological changes may make wearing equipment
uncomfortable and in some cases affect fit resulting in
a risk to the wearer.
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Aspects of Pregnancy Which May Affect Study Activity
Possible effects of pregnancy
May cause difficulties
Morning sickness, headaches
Early shift work and exposure to nauseating smells
Backache
Standing/manual handling/posture
Varicose veins
Standing
Haemorrhoids
Study in hot conditions
Frequent visits to the toilet
Difficulty leaving job/site
Increase in size
Use of protective clothing, confined spaces, manual
handling and sitting
Tiredness
Overtime, evening work
Balance
Working on slippery, wet or uneven surfaces
Comfort
Problems of working in tightly fitting uniforms
Dexterity, agility and coordination, speed
of movement and reach
All may be impaired owing to increasing size