Need some advice, i work at a chemical company....

[ruthb]

Basically ive been a bit naive, Im currently 11 months in to a 14 month work placement at a chemical company (it was initially for 12 months but asked for an extension and got it). We started ttc a few months ago figuring id be finished by the time i was at most 5 months pregnant. As i work with chemicals i just assumed that when i got pregnant i would just be assigned work that was low hazard, i recently got my BFP and started speaking to a girl at work about when she had her lo a few years ago at a different chemical company and she said she was totally banned from working in the lab and with any chemicals at all and that the company we work for are likely to have a similar policy. Luckily she was a manager so could do a lot more office work however there would literally be nothing for me to do for 3 months!

My concern is that i now am scared to tell my work as it was me that asked for an extension and they might feel like ive played them.

My other concern is that i am going to have to tell them asap as but im only 5 weeks and would devastated if i had a miscarriage and then had to face the whole office.

Really dont know what to do, feel like quiting but really need the money as i wont be getting maternity pay.

I know its a bit of a specific scenario but would be great if anyone could advise!

 

[Pretty Please]

You need to tell them - if its a corporate giant then they will prob pull you from the lab. Or at least do a safety quiz. Depends which chemicals you are using as some more dangerous.

However you have to look after yourself and working in a lab isn't the great place when prego !

They might be nice and give you office job ! But it's against health and safety for chemicals not to do something ......

Some lab jobs I've worked at no prego people in labs - Bp, unilever, reckits, smith and nephew however they have found other jobs for the prego people to do!

Gl !

 

[spacegirl]

You MUST tell them. You have to accept that some selected people will know you are pregnant and then also be aware of any miscarriage that may occur.

I work for a chemical company also. They give you a risk assessment and then ask you whether you want to carry on working with care (ie no use of teratogens) or to stop and do paperwork. Most workers I know carry on working with chemicals but I refused as whilst I may not use teratogens my colleagues would still be using them and therefore putting me at risk. You have done most of your placement so I really wouldn't worry. You'd be surprised by the amount of paperwork that needs doing in a lab so just tell them!!

GL

 

[ruthb]

Thanks for the replies, luckily i havent been in lab since i found out but now hand is being forced as they want me to starting a project that uses boric acid (nasty stuff), so going to tell my manager after my docters appointment tomorrow, dreading it!

Thanks again

 

[ArcaneSpark]

How did you get on? X

 

[ruthb]

Not bad! Told my supervisor first, she was really good theyd never had it happen before in our department but she thought id still be able to work in labs but obviously with some limitations. However health and safety lady came and did a risk assessment and said i couldnt work in the labs at all effective immediately. Finally told my main boss the day after and he was really supportive as well, hes sure theres lots of stuff i can be trained to do in the office. Bit of an awkward few days as i was meant to be starting work with a new team so ive been getting a few strange looks when they see me sitting at my desk and not in the labs working with them but all sorted now.I didnt want to tell people as im only 6 weeks so my boss said that to buy some time i should say i have an expected skin sensitization and need to stay out of the labs until they assess it! Not sure if people are buying it but it will give me a few more weeks hopefully. Feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my chest Got 10 weeks left of my contract and its going to be boring being at my desk all day but at least theres no extra risk!