Pregnancy risk assessment at work

Start when the worker tells you in writing

Your general workplace risk assessment should already consider risks to women of childbearing age. Once a worker tells you in writing that they are pregnant, breastfeeding or gave birth within the previous six months, carry out an individual assessment for their work and circumstances.

Do not wait for a MATB1 certificate or a particular week of pregnancy. Talk to the worker, consider any recommendation from their doctor or midwife, review the controls already in place and record the findings. The HSE employer guidance sets out the trigger and process.

Look at the real job, not a generic pregnancy

Consider the work, hours, environment, substances, lifting, movement, fatigue, travel, night work and any individual concern or medical advice. Agency and temporary workers are included in the health-and-safety duty, although responsibility and employment rights can involve both the agency and hirer.

Review the assessment as the pregnancy progresses and whenever the work, workplace or medical advice changes. Share the findings and agreed controls with the worker and their safety representative where relevant.

Follow the control steps in order

First remove or control the risk. If that is not enough, adjust working conditions or hours. Then consider suitable alternative work on equivalent terms, including pay. Paid maternity suspension is the final step when no safe alternative is available.

Night work can need suitable daytime work or paid suspension where the assessment or medical advice identifies a risk. Keep the assessment, advice, controls, agreed changes and review dates together, with medical detail limited to what is necessary. Northern Ireland employers should also use the current HSENI guidance.