Employment restrictions for expectant mothers
When a woman begins employment at the Medical University, the head of the organizational unit must review the workplace for any risks that could affect pregnant or nursing mothers. Under the Maternity Protection Act (MSchG), certain work activities are prohibited to ensure the safety of the mother and unborn child. These include, for example:
- Working hours: No overtime (max. 9 hours/day, 40 hours/week), no night work, no work on Sundays or public holidays
- Biological agents: No work with biological agents in risk groups 2-4
- Increased risk of accidents: Work that carries a higher chance of injury is not permitted, including tasks like climbing ladders or platforms or using sharp or cutting tools.
- Climate and noise: No work under the influence of heat, cold, wet conditions or noise (> 85 dB)
- Heavy loads and prolonged standing: No lifting or carrying of heavy loads (regularly > 5 kg, occasionally > 10 kg), no work that is predominantly performed while standing
- Occupational disease: No work that poses a risk of occupational illness, such as contact with human or animal bodily fluids, laboratory animals, or patients.
- Radiation: No work involving radiation that is hazardous to health (e.g. X-rays or radioactivity) and electromagnetic fields
- Waste disposal and cleaning: No handling of (potentially) infectious waste, waste disposal, no toilet cleaning
- Substances hazardous to health: No work with substances hazardous to health (poisons, CMR substances, corrosive substances and flammable liquids
Further information is available on our intranet (only German).