Ergonomic stressors: Standing for more than 3 hours. May lead to an increased risk of preterm labor. Daily rest periods reduce this risk. Pregnant women should be made to work sitting if possible. Pregnant or lactating employees are prohibited from manual handling, loading and transportation without a vehicle.

Physical Agents :

• Heat Extreme heat or extreme cold. Exposure to extreme heat can cause water deficit in the womb. This can increase the threat of premature birth and miscarriage. Extreme cold is not suitable for a pregnant woman.
• Noise: Prolonged exposure to noise can increase blood pressure and cause fatigue. It should be ensured that the noise level in the place where pregnant workers work does not exceed 80 dB(A), which is the lowest exposure effective value, and pregnant workers are prohibited from working in an environment exceeding the limits, even using personal protective equipment.
• Shock, vibration or sudden movement, use of motor vehicles: Regular exposure may increase the likelihood of miscarriage. The risk of prematurity or low birth weight may increase. Whole body vibrations, abdominal jolts and shocks should be avoided. It is forbidden for pregnant workers to work in jobs and machinery where they will be exposed to sudden shocks, shaking, vibration.

Ionizing Radiation: The effect increases with the radiation dose and its duration. Sensitivity is particularly high in the late first and early second trimester. Exposure is especially high in medicine, mining and power plants. Pregnant workers should work below the legal dose limit. Breastfeeding employees should not be employed where there is a high risk of radioactive contamination.

Electric Shock: Exposure of a pregnant worker to electric shock at low voltage (110 or 220 volts) has the potential for fetal harm, including fetal death.

Video, display terminals: There is no evidence of increased risk during pregnancy.

Chemical agents Chemical agents can cause stillbirth, infertility, spontaneous abortion and inherited genetic diseases. Carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic, allergenic, harmful to the breastfeeding child, pregnant, newborn and nursing mothers should not work in jobs where chemicals are produced, processed and used. The workplace should be well ventilated and less hazardous chemicals should be used instead of hazardous chemicals.

• Hairdressers Hair colorants and dyes or perming solutions can be protected by using gloves to reduce exposure to these agents.
• Painters and Artists: Organic and inorganic pigments can be used in paints. Organic pigments contain aromatic ratios such as benzene and toluene. Inorganic pigments may contain substances such as lead, mercury and calcium.
• Surgeons, anesthesiologists, anesthesia technicians, operating room nurses and staff: Anesthetic gases can cause complications such as spontaneous abortion, fetal growth retardation, congenital malformations, low birth weight, stillbirth.

Lead has been found to increase the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, nervous system abnormalities and orthopedic and mental problems in the newborn. It is recommended that women exposed to lead should start pregnancy by checking blood lead levels. There is also an increased risk of intellectual disabilities and central nervous system abnormalities in babies exposed to organic hydrocarbons.

Benzene can cause vaginal bleeding, hemorrhagic complications in pregnancy, spontaneous abortion and chromosomal abnormalities. Direct contact of pregnant workers with benzene or benzene vapor should be restricted, substitutes should be used (toluene instead of benzene) and local ventilation should be provided.

All necessary control steps should be taken when working with mercury and mercury derivatives and exposure of pregnant workers should be prevented. Exposure to organic mercury compounds during pregnancy can slow the growth of the baby in the mother’s blood and disrupt the mother’s nervous system.