M for Maternity Rights

Kiera Lee, writes:

1. Risk assessment

The Health and Safety of a pregnant woman and her unborn baby is governed by Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (NI) 2000. As soon as employer becomes aware that an employee is pregnant they should carry out a risk assessment to consider whether any of the duties carried out by the expectant mother or her working environment present a risk to the employee or her unborn baby.

The employer is under a duty to keep the risk assessment under review and react to any change in circumstances. If a risk is identified an employer must take steps to remove the risk, offer the employee alternative employment and where neither of these options is