Chemical Over 200 substances may be hazardous to new or expectant Particular attention should be given to performing COSHH mothers. Substances assigned the following Hazard Statements risk assessments with new or expectant mothers. should be identified: Work should be restricted until a risk assessment is H351: Suspected of causing cancer undertaken and any identified risks prevented or controlled H350: May cause cancer Hazardous Substances H340: May cause genetic defects H350i: May cause cancer by inhalation H360: May damage fertility or the unborn child H361: Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child H362: May cause harm to breast fed children Significant exposure can harm the foetus. Contamination of the skin Reduce exposure as low as reasonably practicable and Ionising Radiation may expose a breast fed child. follow statutory dose limits for pregnant women No specific risk. There has been considerable unproven public Give concerned individuals the opportunity to discuss with Electromagnetic fields concern about miscarriage and birth defects caused by working with Site safety Rep Display Screen Equipment. Low frequency vibration or excessive movement may cause Avoid Vibration increased risk of miscarriage. Environmental tobacco smoke, The mutagenic and carcinogenic effects of tobacco smoke are well All pregnant women should be encouraged to stop dusts, known. Smoking in pregnancy can cause growth retardation and smoking. All work environments should be smoke free, vapours, respiratory problems in infants. There is increasing evidence of following Council policy. fumes etc adverse effects related to passive smoking. Heat Pregnant women are less tolerant of heat stress Avoid Biological Many biological agents can infect the unborn child if the mother is Risk assessment should take account of the nature of the infected in pregnancy. There may also be a risk of transmission in agent and risk of infection. Health care workers are at breast milk. E.g. HIV, hepatitis B, TB, chickenpox and typhoid particular risk and should have an updated immunisation Infection Some agents may cause birth defects or abortion e.g. German programme. Containment, use of PPE (personal protective measles (rubella), cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis and Chlamydia. equipment etc), vaccination or total avoidance of exposure may be appropriate.
Chemical Hazardous Substances Over 200 substances may be hazardous to new or expectant mothers. Substances assigned the following Hazard Statements should be identified: H351: Suspected of causing cancer H350: May cause cancer H340: May cause genetic defects H350i: May cause cancer by inhalation H360: May damage fertility or the unborn child H361: Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child H362: May cause harm to breast fed children Particular attention should be given to performing COSHH risk assessments with new or expectant mothers. Work should be restricted until a risk assessment is undertaken and any identified risks prevented or controlled Ionising Radiation Significant exposure can harm the foetus. Contamination of the skin may expose a breast fed child. Reduce exposure as low as reasonably practicable and follow statutory dose limits for pregnant women Electromagnetic fields No specific risk. There has been considerable unproven public concern about miscarriage and birth defects caused by working with Display Screen Equipment. Give concerned individuals the opportunity to discuss with Site safety Rep Vibration Low frequency vibration or excessive movement may cause increased risk of miscarriage. Avoid Environmental tobacco smoke, dusts, vapours, fumes etc The mutagenic and carcinogenic effects of tobacco smoke are well known. Smoking in pregnancy can cause growth retardation and respiratory problems in infants. There is increasing evidence of adverse effects related to passive smoking. All pregnant women should be encouraged to stop smoking. All work environments should be smoke free, following Council policy. Heat Pregnant women are less tolerant of heat stress Avoid Biological Infection Many biological agents can infect the unborn child if the mother is infected in pregnancy. There may also be a risk of transmission in breast milk. E.g. HIV, hepatitis B, TB, chickenpox and typhoid Some agents may cause birth defects or abortion e.g. German measles (rubella), cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis and Chlamydia. Risk assessment should take account of the nature of the agent and risk of infection. Health care workers are at particular risk and should have an updated immunisation programme. Containment, use of PPE (personal protective equipment etc), vaccination or total avoidance of exposure may be appropriate.
swp%20new%20and%20expectant%20mothers%20v5.02%20dec%202015.docx