Pregnant women at work

Being a woman are very tough especially when you are carrying responsibilities as a worker. My focus in this article is more to pregnant women at work. They are exposed to many type of hazards which sometimes we did not even realized or noticed. This topic was taken from my own experiences while i was working in the industries for over past few years. The following is some hazards which i found happened in the industries recently.

1. Prolonged standing or walking
2. Stress (due to excessive noise, extreme temperature or extra workload)
3. Exposed to cigarettes smoke
4. Lifting and manual handling
5. Exposed to chemical substances
6. Slippery floor and surfaces
7. Disease infection
8. Long working hours or night shift



Even though they are pregnant, it should not be a reason why it would affect or reduce their contribution and productivity at work. As a good employer, it is important to assure the safety, health and welfare of their employees especially to pregnant workers.There is many ways to reduce their burden or work task. Below is a list of recommendation that i think may be used or applied:

1. Employer should consider and arrange a regular break for them
2. Provide more facilities for pregnant workers such as rest room
3. Modify and re-arrange their job task to a lighter one/reduce workloads
4. If the worker used to work with chemical, remove or transfer them to another department which has no contact or exposure to chemical substances
5. Provide stand chairs that would give them chance to have a quick mini break (working in standing position)
6. Plan and arrange a suitable shift, avoid putting them at night shift
7. If possible, do not force them to do overtime work
8. To reduce chances of getting disease infection, pregnant workers is required to wear mask or if possible to reduce contact with patients (nurses) or room guests (hotelier)