An individual assessment must form the basis for what considerations must be taken into account for pregnant woman working in a laboratory. The employer is obligated to carry out an assessment of the possibility of adapting work, so that pregnant employees can work during their pregnancy. The employer must ensure that the necessary protection and safety measures are implemented. Pregnant women are obligated to follow the measures implemented. Assessments must be repeated regularly and whenever there are changes in the risk profile.
Checklist
For assessment and adaptation of working conditions, the employer and employee can use the Checklist for the adaptation of laboratory work for pregnant employees (word). If the assistance of the Occupational Health Service Unit is required, a completed checklist (page 1) and a description of the problem (page 2) must be attached.
The National Institute of Occupational Health (STAMI) also has its own advisory service that can be contacted on tel. +47 23 19 51 00, see also their website (stami.no) (Norwegian).
If it is concluded that adaptation is not possible, then pregnant employees are entitled to pregnancy benefits under the National Insurance Act. Pregnant employees must first take a form (signform.no) (Norwegian) to a doctor or midwife for completion. The employer must thereafter confirm that adaptation is not possible and sign the form. The pregnant employee shall then submit the signed form to the National Insurance Office (NAV).
What should the assessment take into account?
Exposure to chemicals
Special considerations must be taken for substances labelled with the following H phrases:
Carcinogenic properties
- H350 may cause cancer.
- H350i may cause cancer by inhalation.
- H351 is suspected of causing cancer.
Gamete mutagenicity
- H340 may cause genetic defects.
- H341 is suspected of causing genetic defects.
Reproductive toxicity
- H360 may damage fertility or the unborn child.
- H360F may damage fertility.
- H360D may damage the unborn child.
- H360FD may damage fertility. May damage the unborn child.
- H360Fd may damage fertility. Suspected of damaging the unborn child.
- H361 is suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child.
- H361f is suspected of damaging fertility.
- H361d is suspected of damaging the unborn child.
- H362 may cause harm to breast-fed children.
The employer is obligated to assess whether other chemicals with less risk are available, cf. substitution obligation. One measure may also be to switch to another procedure that entails less or no use of hazardous chemicals. The risk of chemicals shall be assessed in accordance with the Working Environment Act and the regulations pursuant thereto, as well as UiO’s own procedures.
Exposure to biological factors / risk of infection
Risk of infection by bacteria, viruses and/or other infectious agents. During pregnancy, the foetus is well protected from most infections the woman is exposed to.
If a pregnant employee has work tasks where she may be exposed to the risk of infection, and the infections in question may damage the unborn child, the employer is obligated to actively adapt the work so that the employee is not exposed to this risk.
Ergonomic factors
Back and pelvic pain are common pregnancy complaints. Prolonged static sitting and/or standing work can aggravate these complaints. Pregnant women should therefore be allowed more frequent breaks and more variation in their work days.
Radiation/radioactive substances
If pregnant women work with radiation / radioactive substances, contact the local or central radiation protection coordinator.