Health and safety for expectant mothers
A plethora of employment legislation gives new and expectant mothers special rights, while health and safety legislation protects new and expectant mothers from certain risks in the workplace.
Legislation
• Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare Regulations) 1992 
• Employment Rights Act 1996
• Maternity and Parental Leave Regulations 1999
• Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
• Work and Families Act 2006
• The Statutory Pay, Social Security (Maternity Allowance) and Security (Overlapping Benefits) (Amendment) Regulations 2006
• The Maternity and Parental Leave etc. and Paternity and Adoption Leave (Amendment) Regulations 2006
• The Maternity and Parental Leave etc. and Paternity and Adoption Leave (Amendment) Regulations 2008
Risk assessment
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require employers to carry out a risk assessment for new or expectant mothers and their babies. Provided the new or expectant mother has notified the employer (in writing) of these circumstances, the employer must:
• provide the new or expectant mother with information on any identified risks to her or her baby’s health
• take reasonable actions to avoid identified risks to women during pregnancy at work
Further information:
HSE – Expectant mothers: www.hse.gov.uk/mothers/faqs.htm