Should I tell my employer about my baby-making plans?

Mojisola

I would want to know what the chemicals are that you can smell and research whether there are any known preconceptual problems with them and how long they take to clear from the body.

Ideally, your body should be healthy before you become pregnant, not just during pregnancy.

Franigan

Morning and thank you!

I found the risk assessment report regarding the factory area and the "hazardous substances" section only says:"[FONT=&quot]The fumes/chemicals may cause staff eye irritation, respiratory irritation and/or skin irritations.". There's also the "what's being done about it" which states about good ventilation being mantained. However, there is just a door between the the factory area and my area and my windows are screwed in (cant be open) and the door is kept closed. Months ago I asked if I could have a wedge or something to keep the door open to change the air as well as getting natural/non-artificial air....all I got was being told to put the AC on!!
My other office colleagues (in another area) aren't any better: the smell still reaches them but they don't even have a door to open every now and then (I sometimes stand by my door to get some fresh air). They work in a massive room with 2 small windows (40cmx40cm each) that aren't even in that very room (they are in 2 "sub-offices" within that large area. Not sure if that's clear!

The risk assessment for the offices doesn't even mention the fumes whereas the fumes still get there!

I have also found the MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET that only talks about Isopropanol or 2-propanol or isopropyl alcohol, whatever you want to call it. No mention of pregnancy issues, fetus, etc....
Besides, I refuse to believe that that is the only bad substance that they use!

Sorry for being such a pain, I know I'm not the first one dealing with this, considering also that I don't actually USE these substances. The most dangerous thing I handle is probably tipp-ex!!
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zaffi

Franigan wrote: »

Morning and thank you!

I found the risk assessment report regarding the factory area and the "hazardous substances" section only says:"[FONT=&quot]The fumes/chemicals may cause staff eye irritation, respiratory irritation and/or skin irritations.". There's also the "what's being done about it" which states about good ventilation being mantained. However, there is just a door between the the factory area and my area and my windows are screwed in (cant be open) and the door is kept closed. Months ago I asked if I could have a wedge or something to keep the door open to change the air as well as getting natural/non-artificial air....all I got was being told to put the AC on!!
My other office colleagues (in another area) aren't any better: the smell still reaches them but they don't even have a door to open every now and then (I sometimes stand by my door to get some fresh air). They work in a massive room with 2 small windows (40cmx40cm each) that aren't even in that very room (they are in 2 "sub-offices" within that large area. Not sure if that's clear!

The risk assessment for the offices doesn't even mention the fumes whereas the fumes still get there!

I have also found the MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET that only talks about Isopropanol or 2-propanol or isopropyl alcohol, whatever you want to call it. No mention of pregnancy issues, fetus, etc....
Besides, I refuse to believe that that is the only bad substance that they use!

Sorry for being such a pain, I know I'm not the first one dealing with this, considering also that I don't actually USE these substances. The most dangerous thing I handle is probably tipp-ex!!
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IPA is not a dangerous chemical, in respect to your interaction with it. You'd really need to be inhaling it directly to do any damage. I would, as others have said find out what other substances are used on site. As several chemicals can affect fertility.

An example being a chemical called DMF - Dimethylformamide we use it on plant and when it is used women are not even allowed in the building it's being used in. If we have to use it in the lab it's male only and in a fumehood.

Do the factory workers wear airhoods or full airsuits? if so then they are probably dealing with some nasty stuff, if they wear face mask respirators or even just dust masks chances are there is very little risk to you.

Gra76

Don't waste your time telling anyone about you TTC as you have no idea when you will actually be successful in your efforts. Wait until it's actually happened before you say anything.

rpc

Your employer doesn't want to know that you are having unprotected sex with your partner/husband.

As a simplification, if you work in a environment dangerous to pregnant people, you are obliged to let your employer know as soon as you know you are pregnant. It would be a breach of H&S law not to. You only gain special status when you tell your employer, so best to do that asap if you are concerned.

Nothing to stop you from asking for a copy of the pregnancy risk assessment to see what it says. Lots of things make smells. Smells aren't necessarily toxic. COSHH sheets for the substances will detail and particular precautions needed for a pregnant woman.

Prothet_of_Doom

My understanding of the chemical world, is that 'smell' does not always mean "toxic".

In fact it's the chemicals you can't smell that are often the toxic one's.

Sometimes the smell is an irritant, sometimes it's deliberately manufactured to cause caution.

If I were the OP, I'd join a union, and then ask my union rep to have the Material Safety Data Sheets, assessed by an independent expert. That way the fact that she's TTC is kept quiet.

Most companies that I've worked for, have a "Right to Know" section of their intranet, listing all chemicals used, detailing all risk assessments, with all MSDS's.

One put a File at each entrance with all information laminated, and everywhere I've worked, the HS&E manager (and staff) was the soul of descretion, if you wanted stuff explaining.