Guidelines on the assessment of the chemical, physical and biological agents and industrial processes considered hazardous for the safety or health of pregnant workers and workers who have recently given birth or are breastfeeding (92/85/EEC)

Directive 92/85/EEC aims to protect the health and safety of women in the workplace when pregnant or after they have recently given birth and women who are breastfeeding. The Directive requires employers to assess the risks posed by chemical, physical and biological agents, as well as physical movements and other types of physical and mental stress that are considered to be dangerous to the health and safety of new and expectant mothers. The purpose of the guidelines is to provide a basis for the assessments referred to in the Directive given that conditions that would normally be considered acceptable in normal situations may no longer be so during pregnancy.

The introduction deals with the approach to risk assessment, legal background and specific points to be stressed.

The following chapters provide tables with an overview of risks and how to deal with them:

• Generic hazards and associated situations
• Specific hazards
  • Physical agents
  • Biological agents
  • Chemical agents
  • Working conditions

The Annex lists the aspects of pregnancy which may require adjustments to work organisation.

Publication details
Published by: EU Commission
Publication date: 5 October 2000
Number of pages: 36 pp.