Pregnant women

There are several chemicals used in the lab that could be harmful to unborn children. If a woman suspects that she may be pregnant, she should let her manager know. The foetus is most vulnerable to developmental toxicity during the first trimester and it is not worth taking any risks. It is important to carry out a risk assessment as quickly as possible and that the pregnant woman is involved in this process.

Her manager is responsible for ensuring that the risk assessment is carried out and implemented.

Among the factors to consider are:

• General working conditions and occupational safety
  • Working in challenging or uncomfortable positions
  • Manual labour of all kinds
• Chemical risks
  • Chemicals with hazard statements from H360-H370 are particularly dangerous
    • H360 May damage fertility or the unborn child.
    • H360F May damage fertility..
    • H360D May damage the unborn child.
    • H360FD May damage fertility. May damage the unborn child.
    • H360Fd May damage fertility. Suspected of damaging the unborn child.
    • H360Df May damage the unborn child. Suspected of damaging fertility.
    • H361 Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child.
    • H361f Suspected of damaging fertility.
    • H361d Suspected of damaging the unborn child.
    • H360Df Suspected of damaging fertility. Suspected of damaging the unborn child.
    • H362May cause harm to breast-fed children.
  • Information is available in the SDS for the chemical in question
• Biological risks
  • Work with infectious bacteria or viruses
  • Ionising and/or electromagnetic radiation

Pregnancy is a variable condition and the risk assessment must take this into account.