Posted By Neil Pearson I suppose we'd better answer just on the off-chance that this isn't a joke... Protect the pregnant woman from hazards to the pregnancy, by moving her if necessary. Ask all your employees to report a pregnancy, but you cannot demand this, only suggest it for their own good. If there are hazards that might affect either sex while conceiving (e.g. glycol ethers can affect male reproiductive health), you're supposed to inform the people affected - that's in the Management Regs.

Posted By fats van den raad Neal...surely you recognise this... you should have gone with your first instinct and ignore this post. It's been a while, but looks like he's back!!!! I'm surprised that the policy in Mark's place of work is not the compulsory sterilisation of all female staff to prevent any "accidents"

Posted By Merv Newman Fats, if you are going down that road, then you had best offer free sterilisation for all regardless of sex, age, race, religion, physical abilities, nationality, height, IQ or waist measurement.

Posted By Stuart Nagle Mark. Have you ever considered re-training? from your postings it would seem apparent that perhaps you might consider a more challenging environment for your obvious skills, say for example IT - you seem to have a definite affinity with computer messenging...or perhaps... a complete change - shallow sea kelp farming, as I hear it is also in vogue and to be recommended, or perhaps you might consider air traffic control in a wetlands nature reserve....lots of ducks and geese causing all kind of problems... In respect of your question on the subject of the safety of impregnated women, I think you are absoluteley correct...yet again, when you state your policy, in order to be PC, ought to cover male members - being one yourself. The men no doubt will very much appreciate your efforts and obviously hold you in very high esteem - you're a really 'stand out' kinda guy. I expect they are certainly left in awe and wonder at your abilities in the field of health and safety management, just like many of us here... Where did you get all that experience? Knowing your extertise and wisdon in this field, particularly from your previous postings on this site, informing how you would manage relations with the HSE etc, I wonder at how you have not secured a post by now with higher level responsibility? Obviuously your company just don't know talent when they see it... I for one certainly enjoy your most interesting postings which never fail to make me think.... usually about einstein and time travel... If only I could go back in time, knowing what I know now I'm sure I could make a few changes that would be appreciated.... by most of those regulars on this site for one... But then E equals MC squared, so I would need a lot of M + C to get the E to do it eh! well thats interdimesional wormhole travel for you... Can't wait for your next [expletive deleted]i...sorry posting.... Stuart

Posted By Hilary Charlton On a more serious note (although I did particularly enjoy Stuart's posting). Mark, yes you must move the pregnant woman, you must also check your cumulative effects for the non-pregnant woman provided of course that she is of child bearing age (and who knows how long that lasts these days!). You should also check your products for items that may cause infertility in men or have cumulative build up leading to teratogenic or mutagenic effects. These products should not be used by men who may want to start a family. You can discrimate against men getting pregnant because they physically cannot achieve this particular state. This is basic risk assessment and COSHH stuff - it is fundamental and I suggest you do some reading up on this which will give you more information. The HSE provide some great PDF files on line for risk assessments and COSHH and it is worth a little surfing to be sure in your own mind of the legal implications of the action you are proposing. Hilary

Posted By Stephen J W Clegg. Termed now as "Childbearing Capacity"... because of the recognised age range of women physically able to have babies! Fascinating!