Rank: New forum user 
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Does anyone know what the guidance is for exposure of pregnant women to noise?
We have areas of the plant above 85dBA and some areas above 100dBA and I need to know if I should be restricting access to these areas for pregnant women. I have completed a risk assessment but don't know at what level noise becomes a risk to a fetus.
Can anyone help please?
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Rank: Super forum user 
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My understanding is that the law/guidance is the same whether pregnant or not with respect to noise exposure limits. Hopefully if wrong someone will put me right! However, you may find the below useful which is a quite recent topic raised on the forum:
http://forum.iosh.co.uk/...xposure-during-pregnancy
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Rank: New forum user
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Thank-you for the info Jay. I think I will fall on the side of caution for this one!
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Rank: Super forum user
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The problem we have here is that although there is evidence that excessive noise might harm the developing foetus, we do not know at what levels you should take action. There is also the issue that as the foetus develops; its susceptibilities to noise will (may?) change. On the other hand if you take a precautionary approach and remove a female employee from particular job (without being forced to do that because of a specific statutory requirement) you may be accused of discrimination, unless you can back up your action by medical science. Who says this role is easy?
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 1 user thanked A Kurdziel for this useful post.
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Rank: Super forum user
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In this situation I would have a talk with the young woman and explain how noise is known to damage hearing, i.e. that the damage is mechanical, to the fine hairs in the ear, and is irreversible. While you cannot give a reference to medical research (if indeed there is none), it does not take much imagination to believe that exposure of the unborn child to high levels of noise could do irreperable damage, especially at a stage where their hearing mechanism is being formed.
Personally, if it were me I would not want to take the risk with my unborn child. You may find that she herself shares this view.
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Rank: Forum user
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Is it not true than sound passes through water bettter than air and that the unborn is floating in water? Interesting topic though and well worth thinking about.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Hi Bristow
This might help too [https://osha.europa.eu/en/tools-and-publications/publications/factsheets/57] -an interesting observation is that, of course, wearing hearing protection will not help the unborn-obvious, but......
And it appears that lower frequencies are more of a problem There is quite a bit more on the net and an older 1997 paper by the American Academy gives some info on noise levels. There must be later papers available Over to you-but as you say, err on the side of caution-as always. One day we may get around to really applying the precautionary principle properly-not like asbestos etc where we count the bodies afterwards and say well that's another we got wrong. What price nano technology?? Regards Mike
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Rank: Super forum user 
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I would agree with Jane, tell the lady concerned about the potential risks and that there is no definitive answer. Look to give her alternative options and allow her to make an informed choice.
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Rank: Forum user 
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Contacting the HSE directly would probably provide more accurate information as noise as hazard is clearly listed on their guidance document on new and expectant mothers here:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg373.pdf As per previous posts, you could refer to the other conversation as there are no specific limits published and I do agree that these limits should apply to all staff but also revisit your risk assessment. Furthermore, each case is different. The employee can request to see the outcome of a risk assessment with regards to pregnant women at work, she might have other needs e.g. medical or physical conditions that do change during pregnancy and all these factors are case sensitive. Some feel more stressed, some aren't. You should also consult with your employee to identify the level of noise that she feels comfortable and safe working in.
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Rank: Super forum user
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http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/pediatrics/100/4/724.full.pdf
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Rank: Forum user
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Oh, thank you for this information. I try to avoid any risk from my pregnant wife but I didn't take into account noise pollution. She works in an office in front of which there is a construction site. I think it won't harm if I'll visit her with a VU meter. After all, better safe than sorry. I've already done lots for her. Bought a pillow http://pregily.com/ to let her sleep comfortably, buy the best farm food, drive her to work in a car (instead of every day overcrowded transport means). But noise... Hope it didn't affect her dramatically.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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To measure noise you need a proper calibrated integrating noise meter. "Noise pollution" isn't the issue - this can be a nuisance at much lower levels than can cause harm. A a competent noise assessor I would say that it would seem unlikely that the noise would affect the unborn fetus as the transmission would be stopped by the mother's body. HOWEVER there is little data on this so a precautionary and not a hysterical approiach would seem to be wise.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Hi,
First, I no longer have the data but, be assured as a foetus develops certain aspects develop at different times, one of which is the hearing function and that not in one go - physical development of the ears, the nervous system from ear to brain and the specific brain area. The risks are very specific at certain times in the pregancy and to be honest you need to ask a specialist in this area, not an H&S specialist
Jim
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