Talk and assess
Review the existing controls, speak with the employee and consider how their pregnancy and work may affect one another.
Confidential consultation • Clear action plan • Remote or on-site support • UK-wide
Safety Inspectors UK
Pregnancy Risk Assessments Clear controls. No guesswork.
A generic checklist cannot account for a real person, a changing pregnancy and the work they actually do. We provide an individual assessment that turns a confidential conversation into practical controls, clear responsibilities and a documented plan.
- One-to-one consultation
- Role-specific risk register
- Prioritised action plan
The principle
Pregnancy is not a hazard. Uncontrolled work risks are.
Your duty as an employer
Written notification should trigger individual action.
HSE guidance states that an employer must complete an individual risk assessment when a worker has informed them in writing that they are pregnant, have given birth within the previous six months or are breastfeeding. The assessment must reflect their specific needs and be reviewed as circumstances change.
Remove or control risk
Where a significant risk is identified, adjust the work, workplace or hours so far as needed to avoid it.
Escalate if necessary
If the risk cannot be controlled, suitable alternative work and then paid suspension may need to be considered in the legally required order.
Built around current guidance.
Our approach reflects HSE guidance for protecting pregnant workers and new mothers and Acas guidance on health, safety and difficult pregnancies.
What we examine
The job. The workplace. The person.
No two assessments should be identical. We select the hazards that are relevant to the employee's role, symptoms, workplace and stage of pregnancy—not a list designed to look comprehensive while saying very little.
Slips, trips and stairs
Access routes, wet floors, changes of level, steps, handrails and evacuation routes.
Manual handling and reach
Lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, awkward posture and changes in safe reach.
DSE and workstation setup
Seating, posture, screen work, breaks and any homeworking equipment or arrangements.
Standing, sitting and fatigue
Prolonged postures, workload, rest needs, welfare access and working patterns.
COSHH and biological agents
Chemicals, cleaning products, infection exposure and substances subject to specific controls.
Noise, vibration and temperature
Environmental conditions that may create or increase discomfort and risk.
Stress and mental wellbeing
Work demands, support, confidentiality, changing capability and pregnancy-related concerns.
Travel, lone and night work
Commuting impacts, driving, isolated work, emergency support and relevant medical advice.
Work at height and PPE
Access equipment, balance, restricted movement and whether PPE remains suitable and effective.
How it works
A clear process from referral to review.
We keep the process straightforward for management and respectful for the employee.
Brief us
We confirm the role, workplace, reason for referral and whether a remote or on-site assessment is most appropriate.
Consult privately
We speak confidentially with the employee about their work, concerns, reported symptoms and relevant medical advice.
Assess and report
We evaluate the relevant hazards, recommend controls and issue a structured report, risk register and action plan.
Implement and review
Management agrees the measures, records the decision and reviews the assessment as the pregnancy or work changes.
Practical recommendations
The answer is rarely just “stay home”.
Homeworking can be a suitable temporary measure—but it is not an automatic outcome and it does not make every risk disappear.
Our assessment considers what the employee needs, what the work requires and what can reasonably be controlled. If homeworking is recommended, we also consider home DSE, equipment, communication, confidentiality and whether the employee is fit to work.
Important distinction
If an employee is too unwell to work, homeworking should not be used as a substitute for pregnancy-related sickness absence. The risk assessment supports safe work; it does not replace medical advice or sickness procedures.
Support for employers
One employee. One assessment. One clear plan.
We support employers throughout the UK, from office-based teams and professional services to motor trade, manufacturing, construction, education, care, retail and hospitality.
The assessment can be completed remotely where appropriate, with an on-site visit where the premises, tasks or exposures need to be examined directly.
Discuss your assessmentConfidential employer support
Request a pregnancy risk assessment
Tell us about your organisation and preferred timeframe. We will contact you to confirm the scope and the safest way to share any confidential information.
Please protect the employee's privacy.
Do not include their name, medical details or other health information in this initial enquiry. We will agree an appropriate confidential process with you.
Straight answers
Pregnancy risk assessment FAQs
When is an individual pregnancy risk assessment required?
HSE guidance states that an employer must complete an individual assessment when a worker informs them in writing that they are pregnant, have given birth in the last six months or are breastfeeding. The assessment should reflect the worker's specific needs.
Does pregnancy automatically mean the employee should work from home?
No. Homeworking may be a useful temporary control, but the right outcome depends on the employee's circumstances, medical recommendations, duties and workplace risks. Other controls may be equally or more appropriate.
How often should the assessment be reviewed?
It should be reviewed regularly as the pregnancy progresses and whenever symptoms, medical advice, duties, hours, location or workplace conditions change significantly.
Can the assessment be completed remotely?
Often, yes—particularly for an office or home-based role with well-understood hazards. An on-site assessment may be more suitable where physical tasks, machinery, substances, infection risks or complex premises need direct examination.
Do you need the employee's full medical records?
No. The assessment is not a medical diagnosis. We consider the employee's reported work impact and any relevant recommendations they choose or are asked appropriately to provide from a doctor or midwife. Confidential information is handled on a need-to-know basis.
What if the employee is too unwell to work?
A risk assessment does not replace medical advice or sickness absence. Acas advises that pregnancy-related absence should be recorded separately and should not count towards ordinary absence review or trigger points.
Who remains responsible for the final decision and controls?
The employer remains responsible for protecting the employee and implementing suitable controls. Safety Inspectors UK provides the competent assessment, evidence and recommendations needed to support a clear, informed decision.
Practical. Confidential. Individual.
Protect your employee—and give management a clear plan.
Safety Inspectors UK Ltd provides workplace health and safety assessment and recommendations. This service does not provide a medical diagnosis or replace advice from a GP, midwife, occupational health professional or employment-law adviser. The employer retains responsibility for decisions and implementation.