Pregnancy Risk Assessment
What is a pregnancy risk assessment? Understand your employer's duty to assess workplace risks and protect pregnant employees.
Last updated: 30 January 2025
Pregnancy risk assessments protect the health and safety of pregnant employees and their unborn children.
What Is a Pregnancy Risk Assessment?
Definition
A formal process to:
| Element | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Identify hazards | That could harm pregnant workers |
| Assess risks | Level of danger |
| Control risks | Remove or reduce |
| Review regularly | Throughout pregnancy |
Legal Basis
| Regulation | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Management of H&S Regulations | Risk assessment duty |
| Workplace H&S Regulations | Suitable facilities |
| Equality Act 2010 | Non-discrimination |
When Assessment Is Required
Trigger Points
| Trigger | Action Required |
|---|---|
| Written notification | Of pregnancy |
| Return from maternity | Still applicable |
| Breastfeeding | Notified employer |
Timing
| When | Assessment |
|---|---|
| On notification | As soon as practicable |
| Ongoing | Review as pregnancy progresses |
| Each pregnancy | New assessment needed |
| Role change | Reassess |
Employer's Duties
Must Do
| Duty | Action |
|---|---|
| General assessment | For all women of childbearing age |
| Individual assessment | When notified of pregnancy |
| Identify risks | Specific to the employee |
| Take action | To remove/reduce risks |
| Review | Throughout pregnancy |
Cannot Do
| Prohibited | Why |
|---|---|
| Ignore notification | Breach of duty |
| Refuse assessment | Legal requirement |
| Treat less favourably | Discrimination |
| Dismiss | For raising concerns |
Common Workplace Risks
Physical Risks
| Risk | Concern |
|---|---|
| Heavy lifting | Back strain, miscarriage risk |
| Standing for long periods | Circulation, fatigue |
| Physical shock/vibration | Equipment, vehicles |
| Working at heights | Falls risk |
| Extreme temperatures | Heat stress, cold exposure |
Chemical Risks
| Risk | Concern |
|---|---|
| Toxic substances | Fetal development |
| Lead exposure | Known harm |
| Certain chemicals | Reproductive toxins |
| Anaesthetic gases | Healthcare workers |
Biological Risks
| Risk | Concern |
|---|---|
| Infectious diseases | Rubella, chickenpox |
| Blood-borne viruses | Healthcare workers |
| Animal contact | Veterinary, farming |
Work Organisation
| Risk | Concern |
|---|---|
| Long hours | Fatigue |
| Night work | Health effects |
| Excessive stress | Mental and physical |
| Lone working | Lack of support |
The Assessment Process
Steps
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Identify hazards in the role |
| 2 | Assess who might be harmed |
| 3 | Evaluate risks and controls |
| 4 | Record findings |
| 5 | Implement controls |
| 6 | Review regularly |
Who Conducts It
| Person | Involvement |
|---|---|
| Manager | Usually leads |
| H&S advisor | May assist |
| Employee | Must be consulted |
| OH if needed | Medical input |
Employee Involvement
| Should | Detail |
|---|---|
| Be consulted | About their role |
| Share concerns | Health issues |
| Provide information | Medical advice received |
| Review findings | Before finalised |
Outcomes and Actions
Hierarchy of Control
| Priority | Action |
|---|---|
| 1st | Remove the risk |
| 2nd | Reduce the risk |
| 3rd | Offer alternative work |
| 4th | Suspend on full pay |
Remove the Risk
| Method | Example |
|---|---|
| Change process | Different way of working |
| Use equipment | Lifting aids |
| Modify environment | Better ventilation |
Alternative Work
| Must Be | Detail |
|---|---|
| Suitable | Appropriate for employee |
| Same terms | Pay and conditions |
| Genuinely alternative | Not just same risks |
Suspension on Full Pay
| If | Then |
|---|---|
| Risks cannot be removed | Suspend |
| No suitable alternative | Suspend |
| Employee's choice | Cannot force to work risks |
| Full pay | Normal earnings |
Night Work
Special Rules
| Rule | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Medical certificate | Saying night work harmful |
| Employer must | Move to day work |
| If not possible | Suspend on full pay |
| Duration | As certificate states |
Breastfeeding
Continuing Protection
| After Return | Duty |
|---|---|
| Assess risks | To breastfeeding |
| Provide facilities | For expressing milk |
| Rest facilities | Suitable space |
| No harmful exposure | Chemical etc. |
Employee Rights
What You Can Expect
| Right | Detail |
|---|---|
| Assessment conducted | When notified |
| Be involved | In the process |
| Know the findings | Shared with you |
| Action taken | If risks found |
| No detriment | For raising concerns |
What to Do
| Action | When |
|---|---|
| Notify in writing | When you know you're pregnant |
| Share GP advice | About restrictions |
| Raise concerns | If risks not addressed |
| Keep records | Of communications |
If Employer Doesn't Comply
Warning Signs
| Problem | Issue |
|---|---|
| No assessment done | Breach of duty |
| Risks ignored | Dangerous |
| Forced to work | In risky conditions |
| No alternative offered | When risks exist |
What to Do
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| Raise in writing | With manager/HR |
| Contact H&S rep | If available |
| Grievance | If not resolved |
| HSE report | If serious risk |
| Legal advice | If needed |
Legal Claims
| Claim | For |
|---|---|
| Health and safety detriment | Raising concerns |
| Discrimination | Unfavourable treatment |
| Personal injury | If harmed |
Documentation
Assessment Should Include
| Element | Content |
|---|---|
| Employee details | Name, role |
| Date | Of assessment |
| Hazards identified | Specific risks |
| Who might be harmed | Employee, baby |
| Controls | What's being done |
| Review date | When to reassess |
Keep Records Of
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Risk assessment | Evidence of compliance |
| Actions taken | What was done |
| Communications | Discussions had |
| Review dates | Ongoing monitoring |
Common Roles
Higher Risk Jobs
| Role | Common Risks |
|---|---|
| Healthcare | Infection, lifting, stress |
| Retail | Standing, lifting |
| Care work | Lifting, infection |
| Manufacturing | Chemicals, physical |
| Laboratory | Chemicals, biological |
Office Work
| Still Consider | Risk |
|---|---|
| VDU use | Posture, breaks |
| Stress | Workload |
| Temperature | Comfort |
| Facilities | Rest areas |
Practical Tips
For Employees
| Tip | Why |
|---|---|
| Notify in writing | Triggers duty |
| Share concerns | Be open |
| Keep copies | Of all documents |
| Follow up | If no response |
| Know your rights | Protection exists |
Questions to Ask
- Has a risk assessment been done?
- What risks have been identified?
- What actions are being taken?
- When will it be reviewed?
- What do I do if concerned?
Related answers
Maternity Discrimination
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Maternity Leave Entitlement UK
All pregnant employees in the UK are entitled to 52 weeks of maternity leave, regardless of length of service. Learn your rights and your employer's obligations.
Maternity Rights Overview
Complete guide to maternity rights in the UK. Understand leave entitlement, pay, job protection, and key dates for pregnant employees.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a pregnancy risk assessment?
- A formal assessment of workplace hazards that could affect pregnant employees, new mothers, or their babies. Employers must identify risks and take steps to remove or reduce them, including offering alternative work or suspension on full pay.
- When must an employer do a risk assessment?
- Once notified in writing that an employee is pregnant, has given birth in the last 6 months, or is breastfeeding. Employers should already have a general risk assessment for workers of childbearing age.
- What if risks can't be removed?
- If risks cannot be removed and no suitable alternative work exists, the employer must suspend you on full pay. You cannot be left in a role with identified risks that could harm you or your baby.