For most jobs, there are some considerations that need addressing regarding pregnancy in the workplace. However, working in veterinary practice presents some specific risks, and mothers-to-be may feel concerned about potential hazards in the workplace. It’s important that these are discussed between employers and employees so everyone understands where the responsibilities lie and what safeguards can be put in place.
Clear communication is needed to understand these issues and help ensure the physical and psychological safety of the pregnant individual and their baby. It also pays attention to preserving good working relationships and limiting any impacts on the veterinary business.
Risk assessment in the veterinary workplace
To claim maternity rights and benefits, the law requires employees to notify their employer(s) about their pregnancy at least 15 weeks prior to the baby’s due date (Gov.uk, 2024). However, it is advisable to do so much sooner in a veterinary workplace. Giving employers as much advance notice as possible allows provisions to be implemented early. The employer’s duty of care does not come into force until written notification of the pregnancy is received.
Understandably, the parent-to-be may be reluctant to announce their pregnancy to everyone in the early stages. A compromise might be to discuss with one person, possibly a line manager, who can act to mitigate any immediate risks.
The employer’s duty of care does not come into force until written notification of the pregnancy is received
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 requires employers (and the self-employed) to further assess any risks which affect pregnant women specifically (HSE, 2024a), but employers are not required to carry out a separate official risk assessment for each individual employee’s pregnancy. Often, they choose to do so to make sure their employee’s needs are adequately met.
Employers must remove or adequately reduce the risks identified in the workplace. If this is not possible, it may be necessary to temporarily adjust working conditions and/or hours of work, offer suitable alternative work at the same rate of pay or suspend the employee from work on paid leave for as long as necessary to protect the health and safety of the expectant mother and their child.
Employers are required to provide suitable rest facilities for workers who are pregnant or breastfeeding (HSE, 2024b). These include:
- Somewhere to lie down if necessary
- Somewhere hygienic and private so they can express milk if they choose to – toilets are not a suitable place for this
- Somewhere to store their milk – a fridge, for example
Pregnancy risks in veterinary practice
Risk evaluations should encompass physical, biological, chemical and psychological aspects of the job, and these should be discussed with the employee. Employers should encourage pregnant employees to seek medical advice regarding their specific risks during pregnancy.
While employers have a duty of care, the decision about avoiding many workplace hazards is up to the employee. It is unlawful for an employer to stop an employee working in their usual capacity if it is safe to do so, just because they are pregnant.
Risk evaluations should encompass physical, biological, chemical and psychological aspects of the job, and these should be discussed with the employee
Pregnant veterinary staff should consider (HSE, 2023; OSHA, 2024):
- Working hours: long days or missed breaks could increase risks. It’s important to ensure adequate opportunities for food and drink, and it is a requirement for an employer to provide additional rest breaks for pregnant staff when requested. Long periods of standing or sitting can increase the risk of musculoskeletal pain, injury or thrombosis
- Night working: there is no lawful restriction that prohibits pregnant individuals from working night shifts or on-call duties while pregnant unless they are advised to avoid such work by a doctor or midwife. In this case, the employer will be advised, and the employee will be informed of the information needed to carry out their duties. Suitable rest facilities must be provided for pregnant or breastfeeding mothers, including a place to sleep where appropriate
- Lone working: there may be additional risks associated with lone working. This is especially true for ambulatory practice, where some premises may present a higher risk during pregnancy
- Manual handling: hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy can cause laxity of the ligaments, and extra pressure on the back and pelvis increases the risk of musculoskeletal injury. Lifting heavy items, operating heavy equipment (eg cattle crushes) and animal handling can pose an increased risk during pregnancy
- Special considerations for farm and equine vets: special consideration should be given to avoid situations that could result in getting kicked, squashed or barged. This might require vets to enlist more help from the owner or farmer than usual or for careful allocation of the most suitable cases
- Ionisation: following standard procedures and rules should mean there will be no need to make significant changes when it comes to radiography in practice. The foetus is most susceptible to radiation in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and some advocate the avoidance of partaking in radiography altogether during this time, although this is not a legal requirement. Pregnant veterinary staff should be supported if they choose to not work with ionising radiation
- Anaesthetic gases: exposure to anaesthetic gases can present potential risks to the foetus, so it is essential that anaesthetic scavenging is used and that regular safety checks are carried out on the equipment to ensure it is functioning safely. Face mask induction should be avoided, so it may be necessary to have another vet or, within Schedule 3 provisions, a veterinary nurse on standby to take over an induction in case this is deemed necessary
- Toxic chemicals: the use of and exposure to chemicals that are particularly hazardous to pregnant personnel, including cleaning agents and medications including hormones, cytotoxic drugs and inhalational anaesthetics, should be discussed and considered. Exposure limits should have already been set by the practice to allow for the possible exposure of pregnant workers, but this is an opportune moment to check that precautions are observed
Zoonoses
Pregnant veterinary staff need to be aware of risks from infectious or zoonotic agents (eg Toxoplasma, Leptospira, Escherichia coli, Campylobacter, Chlamydophila, Listeria, Salmonella, Cryptosporidia, etc). Pregnant vets should avoid contact with aborting cows, sheep and goats; those at risk of abortion; dead newborn animals; and placentae. Pregnant individuals should not deal with any animals that could be affected by leptospirosis.
Employers should consider zoonoses in the risk assessment and discuss necessary measures with pregnant team members
Employers should consider zoonoses in the risk assessment and discuss necessary measures with pregnant team members. This could mean some tasks need to be assigned to other members of staff.
| Further information on zoonoses and appropriate control measures can be found on the HSE website. |
Conclusion
Legal requirements and guidance are aimed at protecting the health and safety of a pregnant working mother and their unborn baby, but individual situations in veterinary practice can be different and will need to be considered specifically. It is vital to ensure that open and honest communication can take place between the pregnant veterinary team member and the practice to consider how best to protect their health and safety at work.
It is vital to ensure that open and honest communication can take place between the pregnant veterinary team member and the practice to consider how best to protect their health and safety at work
