Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans her Department has to work with unions and industry groups to prepare example individual risk assessments for pregnant women and new mothers in different roles indicating the circumstances in which women should be suspended on full pay under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

Employers know their workplace and associated risks the best, and should discuss the individual circumstances with new and expectant mothers who work for them.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides guidance to employers on managing risk and how to complete a risk assessment for their business (Protecting new and expectant mothers at work - Risk assessment (hse.gov.uk)). This guidance includes examples of common risks faced by new and expectant mothers. It also explains what to do if significant risks cannot be controlled, and where suspending workers on full pay may be appropriate.

HSE is working with unions and industry groups to ensure this guidance is up to date.