Health, Safety and Wellbeing Advice for Members

Wellbeing Advice

Rest Boundaries and Summer - LA Wellbeing Communication - Summer 2024

Pregnancy Advice

Employers must carry out an individual risk assessment for pregnant workers and new mothers. This applies to workers who:

• are pregnant

• have given birth in the last 6 months, or

• are currently breastfeeding

Common risks include:

• Posture and position

• Working conditions

• Risk of physical injury

• Exposure to harmful substances

• Personal protective equipment

Rest and breastfeeding at work

Employers must provide a suitable area where pregnant workers and breastfeeding mothers can rest. It should:

• include somewhere to lie down if necessary

• be hygienic and private so they can express milk if they choose to – toilets are not a suitable place for this

• include somewhere to store their milk, for example a fridge

There is advice from Acas on accommodating breastfeeding employees in the workplace.

Below are links to CEC Policies and HSE Guidance regarding pregancy: 

• Pregnant workers and new mothers: your health and safety - HSE Guidance

• CEC's Family Leave Policy

• CEC's Maternity Leave User Guide

• CEC's Adoption Leave User Guide

• CEC's Partner Support Leave User Guide

Menopause Advice

Menopause - Advice on Supporting Colleagues in the Workplace

EIS Menopause and Menstrual Guidance

Neurodiversity Service

PAM have partnered with an organisation called Concept Northern, who provide a managed service in supporting the assessment and process of obtaining supportive resources to assist colleagues in their workplace.

Heating in Schools

The EIS does not expect its members to continue to work in situations in which the legal
requirements concerning the health, safety and welfare of employees and others are not
being met.

Guidance can be found here.

Display Screen Equipment Advice 

Employers must protect workers from the health risks of working with display screen equipment (DSE), such as PCs, laptops, tablets and smartphones.

The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations apply to workers who use DSE daily, for continuous periods of an hour or more. The HSE describe these workers as 'DSE users'. 

In law, employers must:

• do a DSE workstation assessment

• reduce risks, including making sure workers take breaks from DSE work or do something different

• provide an eye test if a worker asks for one (link is to the page on the Orb, and needs to be accessed from school)

• provide training and information for workers

Incorrect use of DSE or poorly designed workstations or work environments can lead to pain in necks, shoulders, backs, arms, wrists and hands as well as fatigue and eye strain.