Occupational Hazards in pregnant women
Pregnancy is not a disease but a biological state that women behave in important physical and psychological changes making it especially sensitive to a series of risks that may occur within the workplace.
rights to health and the protection of pregnant workers against risks that may arise in the workplace are reflected in various regulations (Council Directive 92/85/EEC, ...).
Prevention Act Occupational Hazard considered particularly sensitive to workers who are pregnant or breastfeeding, therefore, be extreme during this period, the adjustment of all existing preventive measures, so that working conditions are appropriate.
risk factors in pregnancy
The risks and risk factors in pregnant women may result from exposure to chemical, physical, biological, or ergonomic factors, psychosocial and / or other types .
The following are risk factors that can affect pregnant women: Chemicals
As regards the chemical, it is clear that the exposure limits are set for an adult worker in the work environment and therefore must be drawn to women who work with hazardous substances on Additional risks that these pose to a fetus or infant.
Chemical agents may enter the human body by different routes: inhalation, ingestion, or dermal penetration.
The following are chemicals that can endanger the health of pregnant women and unborn children:
Those whose labels contain the following "R" risk. Are listed in Directive 67/548/EEC and are labeled with the following statements:
• R40: Possible risk of irreversible effects.
• R45: May cause cancer.
• R46: May cause heritable genetic damage.
• R47: May cause birth defects.
• R49: May cause cancer by inhalation.
• R60: May impair fertility.
• R61: Risk of defects during pregnancy harm to the fetus.
• R62: Possible risk of impaired fertility.
• R63: Possible risk of harm to the fetus.
• R64: May cause damage to newly breast-fed baby.
• R68: Possible risk of irreversible effects.
Antifungal drugs: They can alter the genetic information in sperm and ova, and some can cause cancer. Absorption is by inhalation or through skin.
hazardous chemical agents penetrate the skin: including pesticides and solvents and other substances.
Others like carbon monoxide, lead and its derivatives. Physical Agents
be regarded as agents causing harm to the fetus or placental abruption.
• Ionizing Radiation: Exposure to X-rays and gamma rays carry risks to the fetus. Radioactive contamination inhaled or ingested by the mother and transferred to milk.
• Non-ionizing radiation: The electromagnetic exposure, shortwave, plastic welding, curing of adhesives, may increase the risk to the fetus and the pregnant.
• Noise: No value should exceed 80 LAeq dB (A), with peak level of 135 dB (C). Mother's use of personal protective equipment is not a protection for the fetus.
• Temperature extremes: They should not be exposed to excessive heat or cold, or sudden temperature changes because they can negative consequences for pregnancy and lactation.
• Vibration or shock: Prolonged exposure to vibration can cause premature delivery or low birth weight. The knocks can cause abortion. Biological agents
Classification of biological agents according to risk:
• Group 1 biological agent, the agent is unlikely to cause human disease.
• Biological agent group 2: one that can cause disease in humans and may pose a hazard to workers, is unlikely to spread to the community. Prophylaxis or effective treatment.
• Group 3 biological agent: An agent that can cause severe human disease and presents a serious hazard to workers, there is a risk of spreading to the community. Prophylaxis or effective treatment.
• Group 4 biological agent: An agent that causes severe disease in humans and poses a serious hazard to workers, there are very likely to spread to the community. There is usually no effective prophylaxis or treatment.
agents in groups 2, 3 and 4 can affect the fetus if the mother is infected during pregnancy.
• Virus:
- Hepatitis.
- Varizela-zoster.
- Measles.
- Rubella.
- Mumps.
- Cytomegalovirus.
- Other Agencies.
In some cases the worker can be protected against infection (past disease or vaccination).
Psychosocial and ergonomic shift work, night work and long working hours, may increase the risks of stress in pregnant women.
• Working alone: \u200b\u200bThey are more at risk than others or if they need urgent medical attention.
work demands (work overload, tax rates ...), produces mental and physical fatigue.
• Manual handling of loads: Risk of fetal injury, premature delivery and some discomfort in the breast-feeding. Postural
, static and transport: problems may arise at different stages of pregnancy. May contribute to vascular disorders and conditions of ligaments.
Other
• Working at height: The use of platforms and stairs can be dangerous for pregnant workers.
kidney infection risk as a result of inadequate hygiene facilities.
Absence of rest.
Hazard due to inappropriate.
Action Protocol should proceed to a specific risk assessment after learning that an employee is pregnant and take the necessary measures to avoid any statement that may harm your health or your baby during pregnancy.
Protocol action upon notification of pregnancy by the worker includes:
• Identify hazards: those relating to physical, chemical and biological as well as working conditions in general.
• Identify exposed workers, this can present intractable difficulties, both because the woman herself may not know that she is pregnant in the first few weeks, as a reluctance to inform the employer.
• quantitative and qualitative assessment of risks, should be performed by qualified personnel taking into account the information provided by the worker or his advisers, and that risks may vary depending on whether the employee is pregnant, has given recent birth or are breastfeeding.
The risks identified should be subjected to a detailed information both for the workers concerned and to all the workers and their representatives, should take steps to eliminate or reduce them.
From the moment you detect such risks, the employer should warn women about the importance of early detection of possible pregnancy.
Preventive Hygienic
Postural
• No contact with toxic substances, radiation or germs.
• Do not climb stairs.
• Do not reach objects on high shelves.
• Do not work excessive hours sitting at a table.
• Do not take things off the ground.
• Do not stand.
• Use proper posture in the management of weights and household tasks (ironing, carrying groceries, mopping, etc.)..
• Teach people to adopt a correct posture and avoid awkward postures or extreme to perform the task and teach a handle loads correctly.
• You should eat healthy and balanced and try not to overdo the weight.
• No smoking.
Organizational and job design
is necessary to adapt the job to the person, especially in the case of pregnant women in which there are large changes in space requirements, scope, position change, etc..
should eliminate or reduce as far as possible the workload.
have to decrease the time of exposure to heavy work and increase the number of breaks.
is recommended that pregnant women can change positions frequently.
If the person has distributed the tasks in different jobs or floors in a building, try to locate, if possible, all tasks in one plant and place, avoiding unnecessary travel.
must inform employees of potential risk factors pertaining to their jobs.
should be informed of the legal measures exist which can accommodate pregnant women. Since
work and night shift is an aggravation of the workload, we recommend the reduction or even suppression of the same, if necessary.
Information and training
The workers must be trained and more information about the specific risks that affect their activity and the prevention and protection.
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