Rank: New forum user 
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I have come across an issue whilst doing a pregnancy risk assessment, one of our employees that is a few months pregnant has raised an issue about working to close to a WIFI Router that is situated on the ceiling. The employee has read (on the Internet) thats its dangerous for her baby to be working to near a WIFI router. Before i move her and possibly start a mass panic, i would like to know if anyone has come across this concern before and is this something we should be all looking at.
This is the first time ive come across this type of comment regarding electronic equipment, reading through some articles on the internet it seems there might some truth in it, but you know what the internet is like.
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Rank: Forum user
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Rank: Forum user
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how many people in this world (pregnant or not) work or live in the same room as a WIFI router?
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Rank: Super forum user 
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More radiation absorbed into the body from the moon! You might have to look into reflective womb panels!!!
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Rank: Super forum user
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Wi-Fi is a type of Electromagnetic Radiation in the radio wave frequency.
In essence most electrical gadgets will generate Electromagnetic fields
There is a complete suite of information on Electromagnetic fields & public etc safety.
https://www.gov.uk/gover...s/electromagnetic-fields
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Move her!
I don't believe there is any risk at all, I think it is scaremongering and bunkum, but....... pregnant women have hormones that make them totally irrational and stupid (I know, I have been one). They panic and worry at the slightest thing that might harm their baby. However stupid it seems to us and however "off the wall", she will worry about it and woe betide if there is anything at all wrong with that baby when it is born. You can expect litigation and goodness knows what else. Yes, you can prove that it's rubbish, but not without a fight.
Wording should state that while you do not believe it is a risk, if she would like to move to another location you would be happy to accommodate her. You then need to issue an information bulletin to the other staff with some scientific information about the risks from wifi routers just to clarify to avoid mad panic.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Hi Steve
The short answer is - the WiFi is not going to cause harm.
However, an expectant mother may well be very concerned by what she has read, and may not be easily convinced by a dismissal that is brief. There may be a lot of empathy required and a bit of time to put her mind at ease.
Have you checked out the HSE web site advice on New and Expectant Mothers, or have you got a copy of the old advice in paper format? This will help you to look at what hazards there possibly are and base the assessment on this. This will also demonstrate to the expectant mother that you have taken her concerns seriously.
If she is not convinced then suggest she has a chat with her midwife. This may be more convincing. Strangely people tend to think their workplace is far more dangerous than anywhere else, despite how closely regulated work is.
Hope that helps
Ian
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Rank: Super forum user 
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hilary wrote:Move her!
You can expect litigation and goodness knows what else. Yes, you can prove that it's rubbish, but not without a fight.
Wording should state that while you do not believe it is a risk, if she would like to move to another location you would be happy to accommodate her. You then need to issue an information bulletin to the other staff with some scientific information about the risks from wifi routers just to clarify to avoid mad panic.
Moving her will only cause more issues. There is no risk. Do not move her. Simply inform her that there is no risk. Anyways if she has go it into her head that wifi is harmful what are you going to do move her outside the building?
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Rank: Super forum user
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There is no additional risk compared to everyday risks from EMF in the general environment, but you may want to do this decisively, but as sensitively as you possibly can.
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Rank: Forum user
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does she have WIFi at home, visit costa cofee (wifi available), if so, is this turned off for 9 months?? as mentioned, Mr google will tell you anything you want to hear, normally the worst case first, my wife has had some extremely great illnesses which were diagnosed by google.
i appreciate pregnancy is a little different but where does it stop, not allowing staff to work on a computer with access to the internet via fixed or wifi.
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Rank: Forum user
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As it's Friday...
In the early days of the DSE Regs the council where I used to work issue expectant mums with a lead-lined apron to wear when working in front of the old CRT screens to protect baby from EMF.
Did the trick (?), but the incidence of MSDs soared!!
Ian
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Rank: Super forum user 
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There is a risk - not perhaps from the wifi itself, but from the anxiety and stress that she may suffer if she believes (however wrongly) that her baby is being left exposed to a risk and that her concerns are being ignored. As Hilary says, pregnant women can get - I'll call it 'on edge'- about any perceived risk to their baby. I would find out the evidence and explain it to her but also ask her if she still wants to be moved.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Why do we always pander to everyones wishes, there is no risk and therefore no need to move. Are you sure she hasn't read the regs. and realised if you can't accomadate her then she will need to be suspended on full pay.
How do other offices cope, everywhere has WIFI these days. Tell her there is no need for her to be moved, give her the evidence.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Ask her if she is disposing of her mobile phone during her pregnancy.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Kate wrote:There is a risk - not perhaps from the wifi itself, but from the anxiety and stress that she may suffer if she believes (however wrongly) that her baby is being left exposed to a risk and that her concerns are being ignored. As Hilary says, pregnant women can get - I'll call it 'on edge'- about any perceived risk to their baby. I would find out the evidence and explain it to her but also ask her if she still wants to be moved.
I think this is the only consideration and if you do move her, the only reason.
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