[Pregnancy and work environment. Practical guidelines for risk assessment].
Pregnant women are a natural part of the workforce in Sweden. A few types of exposure in the work environment are strictly regulated for pregnant women due to well-known risks of miscarriage, malformations or mental retardation in the child. However, a much larger number of types of exposure may pose risks for negative effects on the pregnancy. Chemical, physical and psychosocial factors may interact with personal medical conditions, and a risk assessment must always be performed with the individual in mind. This article addresses the most common questions about pregnancy and the work environment. According to Swedish law, an employer must perform an assessment of the risks in the work environment for the pregnant woman. If the work environment is considered to be hazardous, the particular exposure in question should be reduced or work tasks changed. If neither of these are possible, the woman has a right to compensation from the Social Insurance Office. Self-employed women are currently excluded from this right.
Carlstedt-Duke
Bodil
B
bodil.carlstedt-duke@smd.sll.se
Gustavsson
Per
P
D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016272:Occupational Health; D009786:Occupational Health Services / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013548:Sweden