New and Expectant Mothers

As a group, new and expectant mothers are more likely to be susceptible to the harmful effects of certain chemical, biological and physical agents in the workplace than the rest of the workforce. Depending on the nature of the effect, these agents can harm either the foetus or the mother. Here are some examples:

• Physical hazards
  • Awkward spaces and workstations
  • Vibration
  • Noise
  • Radiation
• Biological agents
  • Infectious diseases (eg. brucellosis)
• Chemical hazards
  • Chemical handling (handling drugs or specific chemicals such as pesticides, lead, etc)
• Working conditions
  • Inadequate facilities (including rest rooms)
  • Excessive working hours (night-work etc)
  • Unusually stressful work
  • Exposure to cigarette smoke
  • High or low temperatures
  • Lone working
  • Work at heights
  • Travelling
  • Exposure to violence
  • Lifting or carrying heavy loads

Specific risks associated with breastfeeding :

• working with organic mercury
• working with radioactive material
• exposure to lead

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