Health, Safety and Environment - International Labour Organization

Manual 4:HEALTH, SAFETY & ENVIRONMENT FACT SHEETSRisk assessmentsRisk assessments should address women’s needs, and include pregnancy,breastfeeding and reproductive health. Hazards affecting women (somemay affect men as well) should be specifically addressed in riskassessments. These include: back strain and repetitive strain injury hazardous chemicals, physical and biological agents reproductive health hazards stress violence and sexual harassment work organisation and the impact of precarious workAction plansFollowing a risk assessment your employer must take steps to eliminate,minimise or control the risks. Unions should ensure that: they are consulted as well as women workers an action plan deals with the risks that women face an action plan specifies how women will be safer and healthier an action plan is communicated to women workersTrade union action checklist Survey women at their workplace to identify their views on problems Do a special HS&E check that concentrates on women’s health and safety,using the information in this Fact Sheet Do a special check that concentrates on the information provided and thehealth and safety training of women workers Decide on the priorities with your women members Check whether risk assessments cover the risks to women workers. Rememberthat a risk assessment is required under the ILO Convention No. 184 Ensure that the employer’s safety policy cover’s women’s health and safety168 Health, Safety and EnvironmentA Series of Trade Union EducationManuals for Agricultural Workers