Maternity protection under the aspect of occupational safety
As a matter of principle, all workplaces must be designed in such a way that they do not pose any health risks. In technical and scientific work areas in particular, the managers responsible for employees and students must take all necessary measures from the planning stage of projects, internships and activities and document them in the risk assessment. The risk assessment must also consider and document the measures required in the event of pregnancy.
Employees
Expectant mothers who work in an area that is potentially dangerous for them and their unborn child should report their pregnancy as early as possible. However, pregnant women can ultimately decide for themselves when to inform their line manager. In addition to persons with management functions, employees must inform the Office of Human Resources of their pregnancy themselves.
Individual risk assessment
The Office of Human Resources is legally obliged to inform the responsible supervisory authority (in this case the Arnsberg district government) of the pregnancy. In this context, an individual risk assessment must be drawn up for the pregnant woman's workplace.
- Once the pregnancy has been reported to the Office of Human Resources, the pregnant employee will receive a personal letter with information on how to proceed.
- The person with a management function/supervisor receives a form for the "event-related, individual risk assessment". They must complete this form together.
- If there are any questions regarding occupational health and safety aspects, all those involved can contact the company medical service and the Occupational, Environmental and Health Protection Department at any time.
The Office of Human Resources will be happy to explain details of employment contracts, leave, etc.
As a pregnant employee, please take the initiative and ask for a meeting to plan your career break and return to work.
Students
Students are requested to inform the relevant contact person, e.g. the internship supervisor, of a pregnancy. As a student, please also report your pregnancy to the Family Office so that TU Dortmund University can support you during this phase. Extensive information is available on the Family Office website.
After notification of pregnancy or breastfeeding, this information will be forwarded by the Family Office to the Arnsberg District Government. The university is obliged to do so.
Managers / supervisors
Pregnant women decide for themselves when to inform superiors/ managers about their pregnancy. If you are informed of a pregnancy, point out to your employee that the pregnancy and the expected date of birth must be reported to the Office of Human Resources. Please strongly advise your students to contact the Family Office.
Risk assessment regardless of the cause
Employers are obliged to consider aspects of maternity protection in advance as part of the activity-related risk assessment. Anticipatory means that if there is no current pregnancy in your facility, measures are developed and documented in advance. The legislator refers to this as a "maternity protection risk assessment independent of an event".
Many facilities have already taken up and documented the aspect of maternity protection in their existing risk assessments. For all those who have not documented this, the Office of Occupational Safety, Environmental and Health Protection will provide you with a corresponding form. This will be developed in July/August 2024, so please contact arbeitsmedizinische-vorsorge@tu-dortmund.de at this time. Once approved, you will also find the form here.
Individual or event-related risk assessment
Employers are legally obliged to notify the competent supervisory authority of pregnancies. In this context, an individual risk assessment must be drawn up for the respective activity at the pregnant woman's workplace.
Once the pregnancy has been reported to the Office of Human Resources, the respective line manager will receive a form for the individual risk assessment. Ideally, you should complete this form together with the pregnant woman. A discussion must be held with the pregnant woman about the results, the associated protective measures and the adjustments to working conditions.
The completed form, signed by all parties involved, must be sent to the company medical service. This should be sent by internal mail to the following address Betriebsärztlicher Dienst, Campus Süd, Zwischenbau B.
Further recommendations for supervisors are summarized as examples in this information.
If you have any questions about occupational health and safety, you can contact the company medical service and the Office of Occupational Safety, Environmental and Health Protection at any time.