The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations require that employers shall make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to the health and safety of his employees to which they are exposed whilst they are at work, and the risks to the health and safety of persons not in his employment arising out of or in connection with the conduct by him of his undertaking, for the purpose of identifying the measures he needs to take to comply with the requirements and prohibitions imposed upon him by or under the relevant statutory provisions.

These Regulations require an assessment to be carried out of any risks to a ‘new or expectant mother.’ The methodology is the same as for all risk assessments regardless of whom the assessment is aimed at protecting. The difference is in evaluating the risks of hazards to new or expectant mothers and putting in place appropriate measures to eliminate, reduce or control risks to their health and safety as they may face different levels of risk, or particular risks, on an individual basis, due to their condition and how they are affected, or have been affected by pregnancy.