For employees whose work may pose maternal health hazards and the teams responsible for their protection. The aim is to protect reproductive function and the health of the mother, fetus and infant. Identify hazardous tasks first. Start individual protection for employees who are pregnant or gave birth less than one year ago in accordance with applicable law. For employees still breastfeeding after one year, assess whether to continue protection based on actual exposure and needs. Adapt and approve under applicable law and document control.
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Document control
- Company and site ＿＿＿＿
- Document number and revision ＿＿＿＿
- Prepared, reviewed and approved by ＿＿＿＿
- Effective date and revision summary ＿＿＿＿
Responsibilities
OSH staff identify hazards and coordinate controls. Occupational health nurses provide confidential consultation and help with self-assessment and follow-up. Physicians conduct interviews and fitness assessments as needed and recommend work adjustments. HR coordinates arrangements and protects employment rights. Supervisors implement controls. Employees can request protection and report changes confidentially.
Procedure
| Step | Action | Record |
|---|---|---|
| Identify tasks and exposure | Review physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic and workload hazards. Record actual duties, exposure and controls. Check which work is legally prohibited or restricted first. | Workplace hazard assessment and protection measures form |
| Start individual protection | When notified or otherwise aware of a protection need, authorized staff contact the employee and explain the process. Occupational health staff review the health self-assessment together with workplace hazard data. | Health self-assessment form |
| Classify and communicate risk | Classify risk under applicable law and technical guidance. For Level 1, provide hazard information and health guidance. For Level 2, arrange a physician interview and individual guidance and act on the recommendations. For Level 3, implement effective controls immediately and reassess as required. Inform the employee of the results and protective measures. | Health hazard risk assessment and improvement measures form |
| Arrange suitable work | Prioritize hazard elimination or control. Adjust working conditions, hours or duties according to the assessment and law, and arrange other suitable work if needed. Give supervisors only the restrictions and dates needed to act. | Work adjustment, owner and due date |
| Follow up and reassess | Verify that controls and work adjustments were implemented. Reassess and update measures when work conditions, procedures or health status change. | Follow-up and reassessment records |
For work covered by Article 3 or Article 5(2) of Taiwan's maternal health protection regulations, a Level 1 or 2 employee within the protection period may continue the original work after a physician confirms fitness, the employer explains the hazards and the employee gives written consent. At Level 3, act on the physician's fitness assessment, reassess after improvements and have the physician document unsuitable tasks and precautions.
Fictional completed example
An electronics assembly station involves repetitive motions and cleaning agents. OSH staff check safety data sheets, local exhaust and exposure. Occupational health staff arrange an individual assessment. The supervisor adjusts the workstation and rest schedule as advised and reassesses at the agreed date. Authorized personnel retain personal health information.
Forms and records retention
Use the Taiwan OSHA guideline forms for workplace hazard assessment, health self-assessment and improvement management. Article 14 of Taiwan's Regulations for Implementing Maternal Health Protection of Female Workers requires keeping hazard assessments, interview and fitness assessment records, and evidence of measures for at least three years. Restrict access to and use of personal data as required by law.