Safety risk of wearing a duty belt

[Armygal17]

I work in security, while my company is willing to key me work until I'm comfortable in a low risk position, (I'll be moved to an indoor post with a desk or chair, at a post where are two guards me and one other so that I have a partner to do any heavy lifting or strenuous things) BUT they are telling me I have to wear full uniform until I take leave.

Me and my fiance can't really afford for me to be out of work for too long, and we have family that will care for baby after birth if our schedules don't let one of us be there.

I'm currently 11 weeks, it was unplanned but we are excited to be having a child. My concern is my duty belt.

We've discussed it at length and rutted to think of different ways around it. My vest is not an issue as I can borrow my fiances old one from a previous job that he kept.

I can loosen the duty belt, but it's the weight that concerns me. I've heard of women wearing them below the waist line, is this possible? If so anyone ever done it?

We've also debated a set of duty belt suspenders and while I'd attach the duty belt to my normal belt not actually buckling it in the front. Just letting the suspenders hold the weight so it's on my shoulders and not my waist.

I just need to be able to work until I'm at least 35 weeks, because they also won't give me paid maternity leave, and have said if I stay out more then 12 weeks I'm fired.

Any advice? Any one ever had to do this?

 

[LDC]

Have your work given you a risk assessment? Factors such as that should be covered in your risk assessment for work and it's something you can then discuss as to whether you feel that it's appropriate or not which may be better and provide you with different options?

Sorry I'm not really sure how much on your duty belt you would need as to whether or not you can or can't wear it, if that makes sense.

Your risk assessment should also look into where you are placed at work. My work used to be custody based and as soon as someone was pregnant, no matter how early, they were removed from being near offenders (no matter what their role was) and put into admin due to the risks; I should think this would be the sa,e for you as you're in security - you shouldn't be anywhere near risk or you needing to do anything should someone breach security; you're not in the position to be able to do so and work shouldn't expect you to. Hopefully that will also solve the duty belt situation.


Hope that helps x

 

[SCgirl]

I always wore my duty belt low as it was, but was never pregnant while I was working. I'd imagine you could get it below your belly pretty easily, and I can't imagine an added risk with it (you're used to the weight already). I think my biggest concern would be your ability to access your weapons quickly if needed...