Pregnant agency workers could get new rights

Pregnant agency workers on the Isle of Man who are not currently covered by health and safety legislation could see their rights improved.

The government is consulting on plans to update regulations to cover new and expectant parents.

The current legislation means that agency workers are not covered by the specific risk assessments that firms must do for women who are pregnant or have recently given birth.

The consultation points out that "the UK version has included these agency workers for many years".

The survey, run by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (Defa), states that the department "feels that it is fair and just to extend these regulations to provide equal levels of protection for all workers".

It outlines seven principles to "minimise workplace risks", which include "combating risks at their source" and "adapting work to the individual".

It also includes the development of prevention policies and training.

The consultation also includes proposals to allow construction site operators to conduct fire safety risk assessments on site.

Defa urged "all stakeholders to participate in this consultation process".

Feedback would "play a crucial role in shaping the future of workplace health and safety", it added.

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