INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION Conditions of Work and Employment Programme (TRAVAIL) 2012 Module 8: Health protection at the workplace Maternity Protection Resource Package From Aspiration to Reality for All

MATERNITY PROTECTION RESOURCE PACKAGE. FROM ASPIRATION TO REALITY FOR ALL Part 2: MATERNITY PROTECTION AT WORK IN DEPTH: THE CORE ELEMENTS Mod. 8 Health protection at the workplace Key contents This module discusses health protection at work, with a particular focus on maternity. It covers the following topics: 1  Relevant international labour standards on occupational safety and health (OSH), and health protection during maternity  The importance of OSH for all, with priority on a culture of prevention  Specific OSH concerns during pregnancy and breastfeeding  Concrete measures to identify and address OSH risks during maternity  Considerations regarding HIV and AIDS, maternity and the workplace

MATERNITY PROTECTION RESOURCE PACKAGE. FROM ASPIRATION TO REALITY FOR ALL Part 2: MATERNITY PROTECTION AT WORK IN DEPTH: THE CORE ELEMENTS Mod. 8 Health protection at the workplace 2 Pregnancy is not a disease. However, there are some risks involved with work. Workplace health protection is essential because: Health protection and maternity at work as the pregnancy progresses immediately before and after delivery when breastfeeding  Women may be more susceptible to some workplace hazards at these periods of their reproductive cycle, and may be harmed in different ways  Health needs of expectant and breastfeeding mothers change:  The work itself may be hazardous

MATERNITY PROTECTION RESOURCE PACKAGE. FROM ASPIRATION TO REALITY FOR ALL Part 2: MATERNITY PROTECTION AT WORK IN DEPTH: THE CORE ELEMENTS Mod. 8 Health protection at the workplace 3 International standards: Convention No. 183 Maternity Protection Convention, 2000 (No. 183) states that pregnant or breastfeeding women:  Should not be obliged to carry out work that is prejudicial to or has a significant risk to her health and safety or that of the child (Article 3)  Shall be provided with additional leave for pregnancy- related illness or complications of pregnancy (Article 5)  Shall be provided with paid breaks or reductions in working time to breastfeed her child (Article 10)

MATERNITY PROTECTION RESOURCE PACKAGE. FROM ASPIRATION TO REALITY FOR ALL Part 2: MATERNITY PROTECTION AT WORK IN DEPTH: THE CORE ELEMENTS Mod. 8 Health protection at the workplace 4 International standards: Recommendation No. 191 A Workplace Risk Assessment (WRA) should be conducted on OSH of pregnant and nursing women and their children. Appropriate follow up measures should be taken (first, informing the woman of the results) If a risk is detected:  eliminate the risk; or  adapt working conditions; or  transfer to another more safe position, without loss in pay, when such adaptation is not feasible; or  grant paid leave if such a transfer is not feasible Right to return to her job or an equivalent one when it is safe to do so More on ILO Convention on Occupational Safety and Health

Mod. 8 MATERNITY PROTECTION RESOURCE PACKAGE. FROM ASPIRATION TO REALITY FOR ALL Part 2: MATERNITY PROTECTION AT WORK IN DEPTH: THE CORE ELEMENTS Health protection at the workplace 5 Safety and health for all workers Workplaces need to be safe for all men and women workers, at all stages of their life cycle  A preventative safety and health culture at work is fundamental for improving and promoting the health of all workers, male and female  When exposure to risks cannot be prevented, minimized or eliminated, protective measures should be established for all workers

Mod. 8 MATERNITY PROTECTION RESOURCE PACKAGE. FROM ASPIRATION TO REALITY FOR ALL Part 2: MATERNITY PROTECTION AT WORK IN DEPTH: THE CORE ELEMENTS Health protection at the workplace 6 Safety and health at work: Assessing the risks (1) Employers should undertake a WRA upon notification that a worker is pregnant. The following are four initial steps for a WRA:  Identify the hazards  Identify the people at risk  Evaluate the risks  Record the risks and make a copy available to the worker concerned

MATERNITY PROTECTION RESOURCE PACKAGE. FROM ASPIRATION TO REALITY FOR ALL Part 2: MATERNITY PROTECTION AT WORK IN DEPTH: THE CORE ELEMENTS Mod. 8 Health protection at the workplace 7 Safety and health at work: Assessing the risks (2) If a risk is found, proper measures should be taken to reduce it, adapt working conditions, transfer the worker to an equivalent position, or if necessary, provide paid leave Risk assessments should be monitored as the pregnancy progresses, as the condition constantly changes during pregnancy A key to successfully assessing, addressing and monitoring risks is involving and consulting workers, especially women, and their representatives or advisors

MATERNITY PROTECTION RESOURCE PACKAGE. FROM ASPIRATION TO REALITY FOR ALL Part 2: MATERNITY PROTECTION AT WORK IN DEPTH: THE CORE ELEMENTS Mod. 8 Health protection at the workplace 8 HIV and AIDS, maternity and the workplace (1) HIV and AIDS:  Disproportionately affects women  Threatens maternal, newborn and child health Information, scaling up HIV diagnosis, prevention and treatment are critical

MATERNITY PROTECTION RESOURCE PACKAGE. FROM ASPIRATION TO REALITY FOR ALL Part 2: MATERNITY PROTECTION AT WORK IN DEPTH: THE CORE ELEMENTS Mod. 8 Health protection at the workplace HIV and AIDS, maternity and the workplace (2) 9 Action through the workplace can consist of the following measures:  Information  Prevention of occupational exposure and transmission  Stepping up diagnosis  Prevention and treatment services, such as PMTCT Having a workplace policy on HIV and AIDS can spell out the support available to workers, including pregnant and breastfeeding women

MATERNITY PROTECTION RESOURCE PACKAGE. FROM ASPIRATION TO REALITY FOR ALL Part 2: MATERNITY PROTECTION AT WORK IN DEPTH: THE CORE ELEMENTS Mod. 8 Health protection at the workplace Key points  Global standards and national legislation set out frameworks for occupational safety and health systems and programmes, and establish numerous provisions for protecting the safety and health of pregnant and breastfeeding workers, including taking leave if they cannot be properly accommodated during maternity.  A preventative safety and health culture at work is fundamental for improving and promoting the health of all workers, women and men. When exposure to risks cannot be prevented, minimized or eliminated, protective measures should be established for all workers. Workplaces need to be safe for all men and women workers, at all stages of their life cycle.  Some features of work and workplaces can pose particular risks to safety and health during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Hazards to reproductive health can be biological, chemical, physical or can be due to stress, poor hygiene and poor working conditions. Upon notification that a worker is pregnant, a risk assessment should be conducted and appropriate follow-up measures should be taken.  HIV and AIDS disproportionately affect women and threaten maternal, newborn and child health. Scaling up equitable access for all women and men to information, HIV diagnosis, prevention, treatment and care are critical.  Action through the workplace can contribute to HIV and AIDS-related efforts by increasing access to reliable and accurate information, preventing occupational exposure and transmission and promoting PMTCT. Having a workplace policy on HIV and AIDS can spell out the support available to workers, including pregnant and breastfeeding women. 10