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7958396270791New and Expectant Mothers Risk Assessment for Staff and StudentsAssessment Ref No: (your local numbering system)Assessed By: Validated By: Date of Assessment: Review Date: (this will depend on physical changes or concerns raised)Checked By: (where appropriate)Due Date:Work/Study Location: Name of New or Expectant Mother:Staff/Student ID Number:Job Role/Course or Programme Details:Name of Line Manager/Tutor responsible for student:Overall Assessment of the Risk of Injury or Ill Health after Control Measures have been Implemented:? LOW? MEDIUM? HIGHOther Risk Assessments Related to this Activity: (list other risk assessments which are in place for specific activities that will be carried out)Please Note: 1. The list of hazards included in this risk assessment is not exhaustive and should be added to where necessary. Equally, not all sections of the risk assessment will apply and these can be deleted as necessary.2. A complete review of all the chemicals/risk assessments that the individual may be using or exposed to during their work/study is required. 3. If the individual has been provided with any advice by their health professional this will need to be reviewed as part of this risk assessment to ensure that recommendations/adjustments are implemented.4. If after the risk assessment has been reviewed the risk cannot be reduced to a reasonable level please contact your HR Adviser (staff) or Student Services (students) to discuss further options.This risk assessment is considered to be correct and a reasonable reflection of the hazards, control measures and actions required. It will be kept by the Line Manager/Tutor and periodically reviewed. Any concerns should be raised by the new or expectant mother immediately.New and Expectant Mothers Signature:Date:Line Manager/Tutor Signature:Date:What are the hazards?Who might be harmed and how?What are you already doing to control the risk?RiskIs any further action needed?(specific to your area/activity)Physical HazardsManual Handling: Carrying, lifting, pulling, pushing loads.New or expectant mother and baby: Hormonal changes can affect ligaments, increasing susceptibility to injury and postural problems may increase as the pregnancy progresses. Those who have recently given birth by caesarean section are likely to be temporarily limited in their lifting and handling capability. Discuss any limitations of manual handling activities with the individual.Avoid manual handling activities which require excessive stretching, bending, carrying or lifting heavy or awkward loads.Where not possible reduce or alter the way the task is done (carrying out a manual handling risk assessment where necessary). A trolley or other handling aids should be used where available or seek assistance from others.MediumSlips Trips and FallsNew or expectant mother and baby: Injury as a result of trip/slip/fall hazards that have been left in walkways or wet floors indoors or in bad weather conditions outdoors. Could result in cuts, bruises or harm to unborn child.Ensure good housekeeping; keep walkways clear, cabinet drawers closed, no trailing cables etc. Walk up and down stairs slowly and use handrails, taking lift if required. Ensure arrangements are sufficient to deal with spillages.Wear suitable footwear.Report any defects to flooring or lighting to the Helpdesk or reception. LowDisplay Screen Equipment (DSE): Regular and/or prolonged useNew or expectant mother and baby: Circulatory problems, aches and pains and discomfort from poor/altered posture and inability to find comfortable positions due to increased abdominal size particularly in later pregnancy.Plan work/study to ensure regular rest breaks and postural changes should be taken.DSE self-assessment to be completed by staff. DSE self-assessment should be reviewed at regular intervals to take account of the changing shape and posture of the individual. Any member of staff concerned about working with DSE during pregnancy can request an Occupational Health referral through their HR Adviser.LowElectrical Equipment New or expectant mother and baby: Electrical shocks or burns if equipment is faulty.All equipment used in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions. Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) carried out by EFCD on University equipment. Defective equipment taken out of service and reported to Line Manager/Tutor.LowWorking at HeightNew or expectant mother and baby: Injuries suffered from falls from height.Avoid working at height.Tasks to be carried out by fellow colleagues/students.HighWorking at height should be avoided.FireNew or expectant mother and baby: Smoke inhalation or burns in the event of a fireStaff and student induction includes fire evacuation procedures and means of raising alarm. Access to emergency exits kept clear at all times. Regular removal of combustible waste by Facilities. Avoid supplementary electric fan heaters/fans.A Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) will be required only where the individual has a disability or physical impairment which affects their ability to evacuate a building unaided in an emergency.LowVibration, Shocks and Movement: this could include drivingNew or expectant mother and baby: Regular exposure to shocks, low frequency vibration (eg driving) or excessive movement may increase the risk of miscarriage. Individuals could experience an increase in morning sickness symptoms.Avoid uncomfortable whole-body vibrations.Avoid over exposure to activities that involve vibration at low levels e.g. extended driving.Use Skype calls where possible to reduce the need for travel.LowIonising and Non-Ionising RadiationNew or expectant mother and baby: Significant exposure can harm the foetus (either through external exposure of by breathing in/ingesting radioactive contamination). There are limits on the dose deemed to be acceptable for expectant mothers. Nursing mothers who work with radioactive liquids or dusts these can cause exposure to the child, particularly through contamination of the mother’s skin. The Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999 sets out maximum exposure levels which must not be exceeded.Work procedures should be designed to keep exposure below the statutory dose limit for pregnant women.Consider the psychological concerns the new or expectant mother may have for the health of her child.Nursing mothers should not undertake activities where they are exposed to high levels of radioactive contamination or work with radioactive liquids or dusts.Any member of staff who is concerned about working with radiation can contact the University’s Radiation Protection Adviser.HighA specific risk assessment is required.Hazards Associated with Working/Studying ConditionsMovement and WorkloadNew or expectant mother and baby: Expectant mothers are more prone to fatigue from standing for periods of time and other physical work which may cause dizziness and faintness. Sitting for long periods carries the risk of backache, thrombosis or embolism. Backache may also be associated with prolonged work, poor working posture and excessive movement.Morning sickness may impact early shift work or exposure to nauseating smells.Adjust working/studying hours temporarily where necessary and other working/studying conditions including the timing and frequency of rest breaks.Provide access to rest facilities (somewhere to sit or lie down in a private place without disturbance if possible e.g. first aid room).Avoid long periods handling loads or sitting without movement to maintain healthy circulation.Alternate between sitting and standing or take more frequent rest breaks to reduce fatigue.Avoid working longer hours than specified in contract of employment. Staff/students to meet with Line Manager/Tutor regularly (frequency to be determined) to discuss work/study related matters.Any concerns should be raised with the Line Manager/Tutor immediately.LowOccupational Stress: including post-natal depressionNew or expectant mother and baby: Complications could develop that could harm the unborn baby. Stress can also contribute to anxiety and depression.Account to be taken of known organisational stress factors (such as shift patterns, workloads, study deadlines etc.) and the particular medical and psychosocial factors affecting the pregnant woman.Additional measures may include adjustments to work/study conditions or hours, and ensuring that understanding, support and recognition is provided (including on return to work/study).Take into account any concerns the individual may have about her own pregnancy.Wellbeing toolkit available for use with staff where necessary.Ensure lines of communication are clear if individual feels they are unduly stressed at work/study. Staff and students to meet with Line Manager/Tutor regularly (frequency to be determined) to discuss work/study related matters. LowEnvironment: Hot or cold temperatureNew or expectant mother and baby: Lower tolerance to extremes of heat and cold leading to fainting or heat stress Does the role involve working/studying outdoors? If so are any additional controls needed? E.g. Is suitable clothing provided?Ensure rest breaks are adequate.LowLone Working: A person working without close or direct supervision and without contact from others. It can take place both out of hours and during the normal working day.Expectant mother and baby: More vulnerable due to pregnancy to accidents and ill health.Avoid lone working where pletion of lone working risk assessment if lone working cannot be avoided.Maintain telephone contact at all times (Security can be contacted on 2222 or introduce a contact buddy system). Download and use SafeZone app.Review frequently as conditions may change throughout pregnancy.In the later stages of pregnancy women are more likely to need urgent medical attention.MediumLone working should be avoided. Where it is not possible to avoid a lone working risk assessment should be completed.Verbal and Physical AbuseNew or expectant mother and baby: Psychological or personal injury.Avoid tasks where contact is considered hazardous.Adaptations to the job i.e. avoid lone working, reducing the use of cash, maintaining contact with staff and students.Improve the design or layout of the workplace.Provide adequate training and information.MediumPersonal Protective Equipment (PPE): this could include uniforms.New or expectant mother and baby:Could experience difficulty with the use or fit of PPE and/or uniforms, particularly during the later stages of pregnancy. Be aware that some items may need to be ordered and may not be available immediately.Where possible the risk should be avoided by reasonable adjustments by providing alternative equipment to allow the work/study to be carried out safely.If PPE or uniforms are provided, consider if different PPE or uniforms needs to be purchased and ensure this is regularly reviewed throughout the pregnancy.The specifications for the PPE should be included in the activity risk assessment e.g. chemical resistant etc.LowNight WorkNew or expectant mother and baby:There are is no general risk, but a specific risk may be identified through risk assessment.Review the activities undertaken as part of the night work.If GP/midwife provide a medical certificate stating she may not work at nights, offer suitable alternative day work on the same terms and conditions.LowBiological HazardsBiological Agents: including viruses, bacteria etc? New or expectant mother and baby: Many biological agents can affect the unborn child if the mother is infected during pregnancy. These may be transmitted through the placenta or during or after birth through breastfeeding. Examples are: hepatitis B, HIV (AIDS), TB, chickenpox, typhoid. Infection can occur through ingestion, breathing in infected droplets, splashes to the eyes or other mucous membrane, broken skin, needlestick injury, bite of an infected animal or insect. Some agents such as rubella (German measles) and toxoplasma can cause harm to the foetus.For most staff and students the risk of infection is no greater at work/study than from living in the community.Healthcare or laboratory workers or students may be more likely to be exposed to certain infections. Action taken will depend on the COSHH assessment which will take into account the nature of the agent and the risk of infection. Where there is a high risk of exposure to a highly infectious agent the expectant mother should avoid all exposure.Where exposure is not avoided consider good hygiene practices (handwashing, avoiding touching face, smoking, eating and drinking), protecting broken skin with plasters or gloves or vaccination may be appropriate.Individuals who have been in contact with chickenpox or shingles should contact their GP or midwife if they have concerns.Current Government advise for COVID-19 transmission is to take particular care to minimise contact with those outside their household. MediumChemical HazardsContact with Substances Hazardous to Health: including carcinogens, mutagens and reproductive toxinsNew or expectant mother and baby: Chemicals can be absorbed by the expectant mother and transmitted to the foetus through the placenta or through breast feeding.Substances carrying particular risk phrases or hazard statements potentially pose a risk. Some of these may include the following but a COSHH Assessment should be undertaken to determine the risk.R45: may cause cancerR46: heritable genetic damage R60 and R62: may impair fertilityR61 and R63: may harm foetus R64: may harm breastfed babies. Control of Substance Hazardous to Health (COSHH) assessment to be carried out to assess the risks to new and expectant mothers and identify the necessary controls to be implemented.Normal safety management arrangements should be in place e.g. operating procedures, control measures.Any concerns should be raised with the Line Manager/Tutor immediately.MediumMercury and Mercury DerivativesNew or expectant mother and baby: Mercury passes through the placenta. Organic mercury compounds could have adverse effects on the foetus. Organic mercury can be transferred to breast milk so could be a risk if the mother was highly exposed before or during pregnancy. Control of Substance Hazardous to Health (COSHH) assessment to be carried out to assess the risks to new and expectant mothers and identify the necessary controls to be implemented.Any member of staff concerned about working with mercury can contact the Health, Safety and Wellbeing Team or request an Occupational Health referral through their HR Adviser.MediumLead and Lead DerivativesNew or expectant mother and baby: Exposure to high levels of lead during pregnancy can cause miscarriage and stillbirth. Other pregnancy problems such as low birth weight and premature delivery can also occur.Lead can also be transferred to breast milk.Women who are subject to statutory medical surveillance under the Control of Lead at Work Regulations (1980) will normally be suspended from work by the Occupational Health Provider.The Control of Lead at Work Regulations (1980) determine both airborne and blood lead levels.The maximum permissible blood lead levels for women of reproductive capacity are low.Control of Substance Hazardous to Health (COSHH) assessment to be carried out to assess the risks to new and expectant mothers and identify the necessary controls to be implemented.. HighAdditional HazardsList any additional hazards identified . . . Severity of the ConsequenceLikelihood of incident occurringRISK ESTIMATORAssess the likelihood of the incident and the severity of the consequenceLOW RISKSlightly harmfulMEDIUM RISKModerately harmfulHIGH RISKExtremely harmfulLOW RISK POTENTIALUnlikelyLOW RISKTrivialLOW RISKAcceptableMEDIUM RISKModerateMEDIUM RISK POTENTIALLikely/possibleLOW RISKAcceptableMEDIUM RISK ModerateHIGH RISKSubstantialHIGH RISK POTENTIALMore likely/near certainMEDIUM RISKModerateHIGH RISKSubstantialHIGH RISKIntolerableRisk RatingAction Required to Control the RiskLOWNo further action but ensure controls are maintained and reviewedMEDIUMLook to improve at next review or in specified timescale, of if there is a significant changeHIGHStop the activity and take immediate action to maintain existing controls rigorouslyActions Identified to Control the Risk FurtherBy who?By when?Donee.g. Better housekeeping in studio spacese.g.Identify colleagues to carry out any heavy liftingVersion2.0Author Name & Job Title?Rita Lewin, Student Policy Development Lead, Academic ServicesDate EIA Approved???Approved Date?Approved by: (Board/Committee)?Date for Review:? ................
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