Really thick question about Risk Assesment at work

[NinjaKitty]

So I told my work I was PG at about 8 weeks. I didn't know I should have had a risk assesment straight away. Anyway, about 4/5 weeks ago (when I was about 13 weeks PG) I got a long e-mail from my boss outlining what she needed in terms of Mat B1, what the Mat package is (none just SMP) and a throw away comment at the end saying that she had done the Risk Assesment. There was no comment on what she had done for the Risk Assesment and what conclusions she had come to.

I have since read other posts which prompted me to do some research and what I can gather from these is that I should have been involved in the Risk Assesment to some degree even if it was just to let me know what they had come up with.

I work in an office at a desk all day on a computer so in terms of hazard I'm pretty much ok. But I gather that they should have done basic stuff like double check that the workstation was ergonomically set up ok, my chair was suitable etc and make sure I had what I needed etc. Is this correct or have I got the wrong end of the stick? Also as I get bigger I was under the impression that I should also have the Risk Assesment reviewed?

 

[Mrs CW]

I had my first official risk assessment at 12 weeks and had another meeting with my manager last week where we reviewed the first risk assessment although nothing had changed! I do quite a physical job working with radiation and my dad is a risk manager so I knew I needed one (my dad asked me if they had done one as soon as he knew I'd told work). I would say that your boss should have at least told you what her risk assessment stated if not gone through the form with you. I think your work station and chair should come into it but I'm not 100% sure. Can you speak to your boss tomorrow about it? x x

 

[Princess81]

Well mine is slightly different cos I'm in a high-risk job, so I was moved to an office immediately even before my risk assessment was done. Then it was done with me present, to address any points I wanted to look at. Then I moved to another office where another risk assessment was done in my presence by my new line manager. Then someone came out to visit my work station and make sure it was suitable and they keep cheking on me via the phone to see if I need anything else. Pretty thorough really x

 

[NinjaKitty]

Thanks for the relies. Unfortunately I work for a very small company. The day to day HR function is kinda covered by the MD's wife who is also a director and does the running of the other office functions and sales. Things like the wages and PAYE are done by an accountant who specialises in that area of accounting. This means basically that the company policy is made up as they go along, there is certainly no documentation. She is away until next week now anyway so I just wanted to figure out if I needed to do anything and address it when she got back.

 

[Princess81]

Well, I would just mention it to her if there is somthing that you would like changed. Mine was all about if I needed a foot rest, my chair being suitable, monitor at a correct height, any trip/fall hazards etc

 

[BevG]

ive been told they have done one, ive yet to see it or be told what it entails, tho when i pointed out that i shouldnt have to do 3 20+ hr shifts (i do sleep ins) in a row the RM agreed with me and said something about putting that in the risk assesment since id pointed it out.

 

[charliebear]

We have to sign our Risk assessments so even if they were done without us present (never are ) we would be able to change it before signing to say we agree to everything.

 

[Mrs N]

I have mine tommorrow and im 19 weeks today!!
xxxx

 

[pinkyprincess]

We have 2 of us in the office! I was bladdy asked to do it! What do I know about risks? Let's just say if something costs money to change, it won't get done in our place!


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[suzzi]

you should be there x i mean how can she do a risk assessment if she cant talk to you about the risks? i had to sign mine and i got a copy.

i would take this up with her and ask for a copy just incase x

 

[positivity :)]

well i work in HR and as soon as we are notified that someone is preggers we send a risk assessment form to the line manager. The line manager and the staff member complete it together and both have to sign it off.

If i were you i would ask to see it, i mean the point of a risk assessment is to make you aware of any risks!! u've been told nothing!

bosses are crap, we are really tough about getting these back signed off and my boss is always checking up on it..........funny that 23 weeks into my pregnancy he hasn't done mine!!!!!!

 

[flaxen]

I am a vet nurse and also run the small branch surgery single handed so at consult times its me and the vet but when they have finished its just me.
I havent had a risk assessment done and there will be naf all chance of having one done. I wont lift dogs at work unless they are less than 10kg and dont book in large ops here any more I transfer them to the main surgery.

 

[JoJo79]

I was present for mine we went through everything together and i had to sign it xx

 

[NinjaKitty]

I think I'll ask to see the risk assesment next week when she is back from holiday. I'm laying bets that its not properly written up because she has done it for her benefit rather than mine.

 

[kezza1985]

i had mine yesterday and i work in an office also.

my manager sat with me and we both completed the form. it was just a series of questions asking if i am comfortable at the workstation, am i near the bathroom, it is too noisy where im seated etc... but i had to answer the questions.

there was also a section where she had to warn me of slipping/tripping hazards etc and tel me not to be lifting anything heavy. both of us then signed the form and a H&S email was sent to all other employees to remind them not to be leaving stuf on the floor etc.

i have to complete another asessment in 8-10 weeks. hope this helps

xx

 

[Sleepy sue]

I told my boss this week and the ra was completed immediately. I did write my own but my manager agreed with it and we signed it off together.
How can you follow a ra that you haven't even seen :/ ! X

 

[meggymum]

Hiya

I work in health and safety and you need the risk assessment to ensure you can continue as much of your normal job as possible without hurting you or baby. my risk assessment was done pretty much straight away after I told my work (12 weeks), and covered everything including noise, vibration from tools, manual handling, risk from exposure to radiation (I work in a naval base), no lone working plus also things like making sure your desk and chair are still suitable, that you have a toilet/rest room nearby should you feel ill, etc. I also needed to sign mine so I would really recommend speaking to your employer and working through the RA together, and make sure you get a copy for your records. It is a legal document so make sure you get one!

Hope this helps

Meggymum

 

[Olive]

Hi hun,

I am getting a DSE workstation assessment carried out by H&S every month. I had my first risk assessment last month and it was similar to the other ladies - adjusting seat, monitor height etc. I also got a lumbar support for my back and a document holder that sits under my screen - much to the annoyance of another member of staff who wants it lol!

I work in HR but am in a stand alone role in a building maintenance team. They're shite at getting things arranged so I had to do it myself.

Hope you manage to get it sorted.

xxx

 

[BevG]

whats the deal with lone working as i do it a lot in my job?

 

[meggymum]

generally you are not allowed to work alone when pregnant, or at least you have to 'check in' more often so people know you are ok.