Risk assessment when pregnant

Hazel1980

I'm almost eight months pregnant and a delivery driver. Does a risk assessment legally have to be done? In all honesty I don't feel safe doing my job any more but not really in a position to refuse to work. I've been signed off for three weeks with a back problem but after resting it I'm now able to do a small amount of physical activity but will struggle with my designated job role as got to the point of heavily pregnant and physio says I must not resume my normal activities. I've only got three weeks until maternity leave starts. Along with the lifting and carrying I'm out in a van on my own, should I be allowed to work alone at this stage?
Any advice appreciated thanks because obviously my manager isn't a doctor so he's not to know.

Bogalot

Many pregnant women work (and live!) alone. The issue here is that a pregnancy related illness prevents you from doing your job. Is there any suitable work your employer could give you? If so they should make adjustments accordingly. If not then you should remain on sick leave.

You should be aware that once you reach thirty six weeks your employer can require you to start your maternity leave.

Hazel1980

I will be going on maternity leave bang on 36 weeks as I don't think they'd let me work any longer than that anyway.

clairec79

Yes they should do a risk assessment when you tell them you are pregnant

Working alone isn't an issue, the lifting and carrying may be

ohreally

Bogalot wrote: »

Is there any suitable work your employer could give you? If so they should make adjustments accordingly. If not then you should remain on sick leave.

If not medical suspension may (should) apply...http://yourjobrights.co.uk/your-family-rights/maternity-leave/medical-suspension/

dickydonkin

clairec79 wrote: »

Working alone isn't an issue, the lifting and carrying may be

Working alone may be an issue - how do you know it isn't?

This is the whole point of a risk assessment - to determine what may harm an individual and to be site and task specific is vital for an expectant mother.

Some tasks may not present an issue with working alone and as I am always reluctant to comment on individual situations without seeing the environment, the individual or indeed the tasks that have to be undertaken, I would be very reluctant to allow someone so late in pregnancy to work alone based on the information provided by the OP.

Darksparkle

If you remain on sick leave at 36 weeks you'll be placed on maternity leave.

There is no legal requirement for an employer to carry out a specific risk assessment for pregnancy however they legally must have a general risk assessment that is reviewed regularly.

This risk assessment should consider new and expectant workers and should consider any risks to working alone (as an emergency could come up for anyone, not just pregnant women).

I assume you are an employed delivery driver and not self employed?

ohreally

Darksparkle wrote: »

There is no legal requirement for an employer to carry out a specific risk assessment for pregnancy

MHSWR 16 1(b)

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/3242/regulation/16/made

Darksparkle

ohreally wrote: »

MHSWR 16 1(b)

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/3242/regulation/16/made

I was taking that from - http://www.hse.gov.uk/mothers/faqs.htm#q6

It says that the general risk assessment should have already considered new and expectant mothers so a specific and separate one shouldn't be required.

ohreally

Additionally, factor in directive 92/85/EEC...http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/en/ALL/?uri=CELEX:31992L0085

Whereas some types of activities may pose a specific risk, for pregnant workers, workers who have recently given birth or workers who are breastfeeding, of exposure to dangerous agents, processes or working conditions; whereas such risks must therefore be assessed and the result of such assessment communicated to female workers and/or their representatives

Darksparkle

ohreally wrote: »

Additionally, factor in directive 92/85/EEC...http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/en/ALL/?uri=CELEX:31992L0085

Still not seeing where that says it needs to be separate from the general assessment? Our general assessment includes pregnant women and is reviewed monthly. We don't have a separate one for each individual.