Pregnancy and New Mothers at Work
Code of Practice
Effective from 1 May 2014
Version Number: 1.2
Author: Safety/Fire Safety Officer
HR - Health, Safety & Wellbeing
te
University of Salford
Pregnancy and New Mothers at Work Code of Practice V1.2
Document Control Information
Status and reason for development
Status:
Revised
Reason for
development:
The original document has been modified to remove any reference to pregnant students, as
they are now included in a separate document.
Revision History
Date
13 October 2014
Author
Claire Whittaker
Summary of changes
Minor wording change to room provision
Version No.
V1.2
1 May 2014
Claire Whittaker
V1.1
7 March 2006
Claire Whittaker
Amended to remove references to
pregnant students
Document created
V1.0
Code of Practice Management and Responsibilities
Owner:
Associate Director of Health, Safety & Wellbeing
Author:
Others with responsibilities
(please specify):
The owner has delegated responsibility for day to day management of
the Code to the Safety/Fire Safety Officer
All subjects of the Code will be responsible for engaging with and
adhering to this policy.
Trades Unions will be responsible for engaging with and consulting on
proposals for change
Assessment
Cross relevant assessments
Cross if not applicable
Equality Analysis
Legal
Information Governance
Academic Governance
X



X
X
X
Consultation
Cross relevant consultations
Staff Trades Unions via H&S Committee
Students via USSU
Any relevant external bodies
(please specify)
…………………………………..
X
X

Authorised by:
Associate Director of Health, Safety & Wellbeing
Date authorised:
7 March 2006
Effective from:
7 March 2006
Review due:
Document location:
Every 2 years from date authorised
www.salford.ac.uk/hr
www.salford.ac.uk/university/governance/policies-and-procedures and
Document dissemination and communications plan
The Safety/Fire Safety Officer will circulate to the Health and Safety Coordinators for the Colleges and Professional
Services to enable promotion throughout their area of responsibility.
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University of Salford
1.0
Pregnancy and New Mothers at Work Code of Practice V1.2
Purpose
 This document outlines how to manage and support a pregnant worker or a new mother
 It enables compliance with the University Health and Safety Policy
2.0
Scope
Specify
 This document applies to line managers responsible for supporting the pregnant worker or new
mother.
 It also provides useful information for the pregnant worker or new mother
 The document is divided into two sections, the first is aimed at managing the pregnant worker
and the second outlines the implications for a new mother
3.0
Code of Practice Statements
3.1 Pregnant workers
3.1.1 Individual Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of the pregnant worker to inform their line manager as soon as they are made aware
that they are expecting a baby.
This will enable the manager to carry out an assessment promptly to avoid unnecessary exposure to risk.
3.1.2. Line Managers’ Duties
The aim of this document is to provide you, as a manager, with information to ensure the health, safety
and welfare of pregnant workers and new mothers whilst at work.
Line managers are required to undertake a specific risk assessment, taking into account specific risks and
hazards in the environment that the pregnant worker may be exposed to.
As soon as a member of staff advises you that they are pregnant you must complete the pregnant
worker’s risk assessment. If you require assistance completing the assessment, contact Health, Safety
and Wellbeing for further advice.
3.1.3 Identify the hazards
Physical, biological and chemical agents and working conditions - See the Hazard and Aspects of
Pregnancy tables for more information.
3.1.4 Informing about the risk
A summary of the major hazards and associated risks is included within this document for discussion with
the pregnant worker.
3.1.5 Record the assessment
The Pregnant Workers Risk Assessment Checklist should be used to assess the activities and should be
undertaken jointly by the line manager and the pregnant worker. A copy of each completed assessment
checklist should be retained for record purposes and a copy given to the pregnant worker.
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Pregnancy and New Mothers at Work Code of Practice V1.2
3.1.6 Avoiding the risk
The assessment should cover all activities. If any significant risks are identified from the assessment then
you should consider removing the hazard, preventing exposure or controlling the risk. If there is still a
significant risk, then the following steps must be taken:
Step 1: temporarily adjust the working conditions and/or hours of work
If this is not reasonable, or would not avoid the risk –
Step 2: offer suitable alternative work, if available.
If this is not feasible, you must –
Step 3: suspend from work (with paid leave for as long as necessary to protect the health and
safety of the mother or that of the child.
3.2 New Mothers
If the new mother is planning to return to work within 6 weeks of the birth of their baby, they 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.
If the new mother is planning to return to work more than 6 week after the birth of their baby, they must
confirm that the 6 week post natal check with their GP has taken place and they are able to resume their
normal duties.
If there are any complications or restrictions, the midwife or GP must detail what these are.
If the manager has any concerns about the health or ability of the new mother to resume work, they
should refer the new mother to the Occupational Health facility.
If the new mother informs you that they intend to breast feed or express milk, the Risk Assessment
Checklist for Breastfeeding Mothers should be completed to ensure that the hazards they are exposed to
during work will not present a risk to the new mother or child.
3.2.1 Facilities for new mothers
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 line manager 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.
If the baby is to be brought onto campus for the purpose of feeding, then it should only be for this purpose
and should not be kept on work premises for longer than necessary. Although the University undertakes,
as far as is reasonably practicable, to ensure that its premises are low risk to children, many University
buildings, due to their age or the work being done within them, are simply not designed with the needs of
children in mind.
General risks regarded as insignificant for mature visitors may be more significant for children and in
general the University does not have the facilities to contain children safely.
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University of Salford
4.0
Pregnancy and New Mothers at Work Code of Practice V1.2
Code of Practice Monitoring and Performance
Application of this Code of Practice will be monitored through the University health and safety audit
process.
Pregnant Workers Risk Assessments and New Mothers at Work Risk Assessments may contain
confidential information and, as such, should be stored in accordance with the Data Protection Act.
5.0 Related Documentation
Pregnant Workers - Risk Assessment Checklist www.salford.ac.uk/hr
New Mothers at Work – Risk Assessment Checklist for Breastfeeding Mothers www.salford.ac.uk/hr
6.0 Training and Support
The contacts below can assist you with the development and preparation of risk assessments and
accessing appropriate facilities.
Risk assessment support:
Health, Safety & Wellbeing
Tel: 0161 295 5425
Email: helpdesk-hsw@salford.ac.uk
Facilities for New Mothers:
Estates & Property Services helpdesk:
Telephone - 0161 295 4444
Email - estates-supportteam@salford.ac.uk
7.0 Appendices
7.1 Summary of hazards associated with pregnant workers or new mothers
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University of Salford
Pregnancy and New Mothers at Work Code of Practice V1.2
7.1 Summary of Hazards to Pregnant Workers and New Mothers
Hazard
Risk
Physical Hazards – where these are regarded as agents causing foetal lesions and/or likely to
disrupt placenta attachment and in particular:
Movements and posture/load handling
Increased susceptibility to ligament damage and postural
problems
Standing for long periods
Can lead to dizziness, fainting and fatigue. It can also
contribute to an increased risk of premature childbirth and
miscarriage.
Sitting for long periods
Poses a relatively high risk of thrombosis or embolism,
particularly with constant sitting. In later stages of
pregnancy, more likely to experience backache.
Shocks and Vibration
Regular exposure to shocks, low frequency vibration (e.g.
off road vehicles) or excessive movement may increase
risk of miscarriage.
Noise
No specific risk, but prolonged exposure to loud 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
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.
Biological agents known to cause abortion of
the unborn child, or physical and neurological
damage.
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
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Pregnancy and New Mothers at Work Code of Practice V1.2
R63, R64, R68 and H340, H341, H360, H361
and H362
detailed risk assessment
Preparations labelled on the basis of
Directive 1999/45/EC
The actual risk to health can only be determined by a
detailed risk assessment
Chemical agents and industrial processes in
Annex 1 to Directive 90/394/EEC
The actual risk to health can only be determined by a
detailed risk assessment
Mercury and mercury derivatives
Organic mercury compounds could have adverse effects
on the unborn child.
Antimitotic (cytotoxic) drugs
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.
Chemical agents of known and dangerous
absorption through skin – this includes some
pesticides.
Can penetrate skin and cause ill health effects.
Carbon monoxide
This substance readily crosses the placenta and can result
in unborn child being starved of oxygen.
Lead and lead derivatives
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.
Working conditions
Tiredness/fatigue and resting facilities
Tiredness increases during and after pregnancy and this
may have an effect on work patterns and or working hours
Access to hygiene facilities
Without easy access to toilets and associated hygiene
facilities, there may be significant risk of infection and
kidney disease
Occupational stress
Hormonal, physiological and psychological changes in
addition to changes in life circumstances may lead to an
increased vulnerability to anxiety and depression.
Passive smoking
Cigarette smoke poses a risk to the infant
Extremes of cold or heat
Extremes of temperature or sudden temperature changes
may lead to physical stress
Work with VDU’s
There is no scientific link between use of VDU’s and birth
defects or miscarriage
Working alone
Pregnant women are more likely to need urgent medical
attention
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University of Salford
Pregnancy and New Mothers at Work Code of Practice V1.2
Working at heights
It is hazardous for pregnant women to work at heights, for
example ladders, platforms, etc.
Work related violence
There is an increased risk to workers 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.
Personal protective equipment
Physiological changes may make wearing equipment
uncomfortable and in some cases affect fit resulting in a
risk to the wearer.
In addition to the hazards listed in the table above, there are other aspects of pregnancy which may affect
work. The impact will vary during the course of the pregnancy and you will need to keep their effects
under review.
Aspects of Pregnancy Which May Affect Work Activity
Possible affects 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
Working 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
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