Posted By Stuart Haysman On the back of an expectant mother RA, we now have to do some manual handling refresher training for the mum to be. There's lots of experience of training manual handling in my organisation, but none specific to pregnancy 'refreshers'. Is there anything particular we should be covering over and above 'normal' manual handling training? Is one refresher session enough, or would it be advisable to revisit throughout the pregnancy? The job is not particularly hazardous but does involve some light lifting. Cheers Stu

Posted By Clare Gabriel Sorry Paul - disagree!!! Having been there myself recently it is vital that the individual is assessed regularly throughout the pregnancy - every woman is different and the first three months are the most critical when lifting is most hazardous (advice from our OH)as excessive lifting can cause complications including miscarriage. Later lifting becomes more difficult purely from a physical point of view due to the changing shape of the woman. I would seriously take advice from your Occ Health Dept/Company in line with the lady's own physical condition - amny get sciatica and other back problems just from carrying the baby so do you really wnat to make it worse Look at HSE's leaflet

Posted By AMelrose Also remember to do a repeat assessment when she returns to work (if she decides to return of course!) as her back muscles etc will probably have taken a pounding over the intervening months....from epidural to lifting and laying baby...