Generic Risk Assessment

Title of Activity: Work carried out by new and expectant mothers.
Location(s) of Work: The Forum, Appleton Tower
New / Expectant Mother’s Name:
Expected due date (expectant mothers):     

Brief Description of Work:  Work involving new and expectant mothers.

HAZARD IDENTIFICATION: Identify all the hazards; evaluate the risks (low / medium / high); describe all existing control measures and identify any further measures required. Specific hazards should be assessed on a separate risk assessment form and cross-referenced with this document. Specific assessments are available for hazardous substances, biological agents, display screen equipment, manual handling operations and fieldwork. See http://www.safety.ed.ac.uk/safenet/index.shtml for details.

HAZARD(s) RISK L / M / H CONTROL MEASURES (i.e.alternative work methods/mechanical aids/engneering controls, etc.)
Lifting of heavy loads

  1. Undertaking lifting operations that present a risk of injury must be avoided.
  2. If lifting operations can not be avoided they must be fully assessed and regularly reviewed and monitored as the pregnancy progresses.

Working with Display Screen Equipment
(Postural problems from sitting in unsuitable seating, eyestrains, headaches)
  1. A Display Screen Equipment/Workstation risk assessment must be carried and reviewed (at regular intervals) as the pregnancy develops and if any problems materialise appropriate action(s) must be taken.
  2. More breaks from the computer should be considered.
Continuous standing / sitting

  1. Standing over long periods of time should be avoided.
  2. More frequent and longer rest breaks should be introduced.
Working with hazardous substances
  1. All hazardous substances must be COSHH risk assessed.
  2. Working with hazardous substances that may present any risk for a mother and/or unborn child must be forbidden

Lone working

  1. Whenever possible lone working and out of working hours should be avoided.
  2. If working alone is unavoidable, the lone working risk assessment should be carried out.
  3. For further information refer to: http://www.inf.ed.ac.uk/safety/afterhours.html


Persons at Risk: Identify all those who may be at risk.

Academic staff X Technical staff
P'Grad students X U'Grad students
Maintenance staff
Office staff X Cleaning staff
Emergency personnel
Contractors
Visitors X Others
   


Additional Information: Identify any additional relevant information to the activity, including supervision, training requirements, special emergency procedures, requirement for health surveillance, etc.


A Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) will be required for a woman in a later stage of pregnancy who is experiencing mobility difficulties and would need assistance in the event of an emergency evacuation.

A specific risk assessment must be completed in co-operation with an expectant mother.

When carrying out this risk assessment any medical condition and information provided by women and any personal aspects of pregnancy such as morning sickness, frequent visits to toilet, tiredness must be taken into account.

The risk assessment should be reviewed at regular intervals and appropriate control measures implemented.

It is recommended that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Guide for new and expectant mothers who work should be brought to the attention of new or expectant mothers. This can be found at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/mothers/index.htm


Assessment carried out by:
Name: Joanna Treichel
(In co-operation with the School Safety Manager  David Wyse)

 Date: 18/07/2006
 Review Date:18/07/2007


Revised: July 2008


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