Risks include lifting or carrying heavy loads, standing or sitting for long periods, work related stress, unsuitable work station for their changing frame, long hours or even excess noise and factors to consider include those such as the need to keep up water intake and go to the toilet more often.

An immediate step to take upon receiving information a member of your staff is pregnant is to issue them with a copy of the HSE ‘A guide for new and expectant mothers who work’.  This lets them know you are serious about their health and will be taking steps, such as involving them in their Pregnancy Risk Assessment, to help keep them and their child safe.

If an employer fails to protect a new or expectant mother it will automatically be considered Sex Discrimination.  Apart from the moral duty of employers to protect their staff, the legal costs to a business can be significant. With the average payout award reported to be £9,781 and no statutory limit of compensation under the Sex Discrimination Act, the majority of cases are settled out of court.

Source: http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2002/e02226.htm