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This information from Daniel Barnetts Employment Law bulletin regarding a recent case might help. Risk Assessments for Pregnant Workers [Thanks to Tom Brown of Cloisters Chambers for providing this case summary] In O'Neill v Buckinghamshire County Council, the EAT holds that, for an employer to fall under a duty to conduct a risk assessment for a pregnant worker, these preconditions must be met: (a) the employee notifies the employer in writing that she is pregnant; (b) the work is of a kind which could involve a risk of harm or danger to the health and safety of the expectant mother or her baby; (c) the risk arises from either processes, working conditions or physical, chemical or biological agents in the workplace. There is no more general obligation to carry out a risk assessment for a pregnant worker. In discharging its risk assessment obligations, where they arise, there is nothing in either the Pregnant Workers Directive or the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 to indicate that a meeting with the worker is required before the obligation to carry out a risk assessment is satisfied. But an employer must provide her with comprehensive and relevant information on the identified risks to her health and safety. The EAT also provides tentative support for the proposition first adopted by the EAT in Hardman v. Mallon [2002] IRLR 516 and considered in Madarassy v Nomura [2007] IRLR 246, that, if an obligation to carry out a risk assessment, and a failure to carry out that risk assessment is established, then discrimination results. Proof of detriment is not necessary. Employers, accordingly, need to be astute to carrying out risk assessments where the preconditions are met. -----Original Message----- From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ferguson Joyce Sent: 18 January 2010 16:10 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: [OCC-HEALTH] Pregnancy Risk Assessment Georgina I have just submitted a revised policy, please see the attached (draft version - awaiting comment) Joyce Joyce Ferguson Occupational Health Adviser / Ymgynghorydd lechyd Galwedigaethol Specialist Community Public Health Nurse / Nyrs lechydy Cyhoedd Cymunedol Arbenigol Torfaen County Borough Council /Cyngor Bwrdeistref Sirol Torfaen Civic Centre / Y Ganolfan Ddinesig Pontypool / Pont-y-pw Torfaen NP4 6YB Tel / Ffon: 01495 766402 Mobile / Symudol: 07939 536663 -----Original Message----- From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Georgina Sumner Sent: 18 January 2010 14:15 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [OCC-HEALTH] Pregnancy Risk Assessment Hi All, I've just taken up a new position with my employer which involves introducing some new policies and procedures. I have identified the need for a Pregnancy Risk Assessment for an employee who is in her 20th week of pregnancy. Does anyone have a form they can share? The ones on the internet don't appear to apply to 'low risk' office workers. Any help/advice would be much appreciated. Kind regards Georgina Sumner Operations Manager 1st Floor Court Buildings Alexandra Park Prescot Road, St.Helens Merseyside. WA10 3TP Mob: 07540728873 www.boldrecruitment.co.uk [log in to unmask] Company Registration Number: 5214012 ******************************** Please remove this footer before replying. 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