Pregnant women and occupational health advice

The Government updated last week their advice regarding covid and pregnant employees (please click here).

The advice focuses on, as usual, the importance of the employer carrying out a risk assessment for pregnant employees but one noticeable change is that there is greater emphasis than before regarding seeking advice with this process, where appropriate, from an Occupational Health professional.

The advice clarifies how the pregnant women, of any gestation, should not be required to continue working if this is not supported by the risk assessment i.e. the pregnant woman should only continue working if the risk assessment advises that it is safe to do so.

The guidance outlines the recommendations which apply for women both less than 28 weeks pregnant, and also those that apply for pregnant women who are 28 weeks pregnant and beyond, or with underlying health conditions that place them at a greater risk of severe illness from coronavirus. In the latter group, it reminds employers that they should consider both how to redeploy this group of pregnant women and how to maximise the potential for home working, wherever possible.

Should Occupational Health advice be required to assist with the individual risk assessment process, please do contact Katie Eastwell katie@lincolnoccupationalheath.co.uk