These hazards can vary depending on the industry, but some of the most common include: 

• Physical hazards: These hazards can include exposure to noise, vibration, heat, cold, radiation, and chemicals. 
• Ergonomic hazards: These hazards can include repetitive motion injuries, awkward postures, and heavy lifting. 
• Psychosocial hazards: These hazards can include stress, violence, and bullying. 

• Hazards from biological agents: These hazards can include exposure to bacteria, viruses, and parasites. 

The risks of these hazards can be even greater for expectant and new mothers due to the physical and hormonal changes they are experiencing. For example, pregnant women are more susceptible to heat stress and may be more likely to fall. New mothers who are breastfeeding may be more susceptible to infection. 

It is important for employers to take steps to protect expectant and new mothers from health and safety hazards in the workplace. These steps may include: 

• Identifying and assessing the hazards in the workplace. 
• Taking steps to eliminate or control the hazards. 

• Providing personal protective equipment (PPE). 
• Training employees on how to avoid hazards. 
• Encouraging employees to report hazards. 

The health and safety hazards that expectant and new mothers may be exposed to can vary depending on the industry. Some of the industries with the highest risks include: 

• Construction: Construction workers are exposed to a variety of physical hazards, including noise, vibration, heat, cold, and chemicals. They are also at risk of falls, struck-by accidents, and electrocution. 

• Agriculture: Agricultural workers are exposed to a variety of biological hazards, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites. They are also at risk of injuries from animals, machinery, and chemicals. 
• Manufacturing: Manufacturing workers are exposed to a variety of physical and chemical hazards. They are also at risk of injuries from machinery and falls. 
• Healthcare: Healthcare workers are exposed to a variety of biological hazards, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites. They are also at risk of exposure to radiation and chemicals. 
• Retail: Retail workers are exposed to a variety of physical hazards, including lifting, bending, and reaching. They are also at risk of slips, trips, and falls. 

In addition to the steps that employers can take, there are also things that expectant and new mothers can do to protect themselves from health and safety hazards in the workplace. These include: 

• Be aware of the hazards in your workplace. 
• Ask your employer about the safety measures that are in place. 
• Speak up if you spot a hazard. 
• Use the personal protective equipment (PPE) that is provided to you. 
• Take breaks before you need them. 

• Listen to your body and don’t push yourself too hard. 

The iProtectU health and safety software provides: 

• An inspection and Audit App which allows for safety inspection of the workplace and associated report 
• eLearning on a wide range of EHS topics, which cover expectant and new mothers’ safety 

• Scheduling functionality for managers to send eLearning, risk assessments and documents out to all staff via the software with tracks completion and compliance 
• Risk assessment templates covering expectant and new mothers 
• Management system to document control the policy on safety of expectant workers 
• Method Statement module for the creation of work activity working instructions 
• Legal register that provides legislation guidance on safety of expectant workers 

• Incident investigation module that tracks incidents both with an app and via desktop 
• Hazard observation app where staff can report and record any concerns regarding expectant and/or new mothers to the organisation 
• Asset management App ensuring assets are recorded in the software