Are you pregnant? Or are you planning to become pregnant? Are you exposed to chemicals at work?

If so, the information in this booklet can help you.

Work MattersWhen you work with or around toxic chemicals, what you know really matters.

Take Action! Find out which chemicals you may be exposed to• CheckproductlabelsandasktoseeMaterialSafetyDataSheets(SDSs) toidentifythechemicalsyouuseandthatareusedaroundyou.

Findoutaboutthehealtheffectsofthechemicalsyoumaybeexposedto• Youremployerisrequiredtoprovidetrainingonthehealthhazardsof thechemicalsyouareexposedtoatwork.

Find out how you and your baby can be exposed to chemicals• Youcanbeexposedtochemicalsatworkbybreathingcontaminatedair; gettingthemonyourskinorinyoureyes;oringestingthemwhenyoueat, drink, or smoke.

• Yourfetuscanbeexposedtochemicalsthatgetintoyourbody.• Yourbabycanbeexposedtochemicalsif theyenteryourbreastmilk.

Identifyharmfulexposures• Thetypeof chemicalyouareexposedto,theamount,andhowandwhen youareexposedareimportantfactorsindeterminingwhetheryourexposure willbeharmful.

• Askyourhealthcareproviderandothersknowledgeableaboutchemicals andtheireffectsonhealthforadvice.

Preventharmfulexposures• Learnasmuchasyoucanaboutthechemicalsusedinyourworkplace.• Askyouremployertousesaferalternativestotoxicchemicals.• Followhealthandsafetyprocedures.• Findoutaboutaccommodationswhilepregnantornursing.

Know your rights• Youhavetherighttoasafeandhealthyworkplace.• Youhavetherighttoinformationandtrainingonchemicalhazards andprotectionagainstthem.

• Youhavetherighttoprotectionagainstpregnancydiscriminationandto familyandmedicalleave.

Where to get more helpFormoreinformationtohelpyoureduceyourexposuretotoxicchemicals,visittheResources

section at:

https://prhe.ucsf.edu

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It isalwaysimportanttokeepyourexposuretotoxic chemicalsaslowaspossible.Butitisespecially importantwhileyouarepregnant.Thisisbecause exposuretotoxicchemicalscanharmyourhealthandyourabilitytohaveahealthychild.

Thelawrequiresyouremployertomakesurethatyourexposuretoworkplacechemicalsdoesnotcausesuchharm.Thisbookletwillhelpyoulearnwhattodotoensureyourrightstoprotectyouandyourbabyfromharmfulchemicalexposures.

Manyworkplacescontaintoxicchemicalsandotherhazardsthatcanaffectyourhealth.Somechemicalsposespecialconcernsduringpregnancybecausetheycancausemiscarriage,affectgrowthordevelopment,orcausebirthdefects.

Severalfactorsaffectwhetherexposuretotoxicchemicalswillharmyourpregnancyoryourbaby.Importantfactorsincludethetypeandamountof thechemical,howandwhenyouareexposed,andwhetherthechemicalcanreachyourfetusorbabythroughyourplacentaorbreastmilk.

Gettingtheinformationyouneedisthefirststepinpreventingharm.Trytostartbeforeyoubecomepregnant—orassoonaspossibleafteryouknowyouarepregnant.

This booklet will help you gather information on:

The chemicals you may be exposed to

Thehealtheffectsofthechemicals

How you can be exposed

Howtopreventharmfulexposures

Your legal rights1

Where to get help6

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1Thisbookletprovidesgeneralinformationaboutexposuretochemicalsintheworkplace.Itisnotintendedtoprovidemedicalorlegaladviceortosubstitutefortheadviceofahealthcareprofessionalorattorney.

It is important to know that:

• Avoidingexposurebyusingsaferalternativestotoxicchemicals andkeepingyourexposuretoallchemicalsaslowaspossible isthebestwaytoprotectyourhealth,yourpregnancy,andyourbaby.

• Thereisnocompletelistof chemicalsthatmayaffectpregnancyandthedevelopingfetus.Mostchemicalshavenotevenbeentestedforthesehealtheffects.

• Youcannotrelyonlegalexposurelimitstoensureyoursafety.Mostworkplacechemicalsthatcanharmpregnancyorthe developingfetusdonothaveprotectiveexposurelimits.

Take Action!Beinginformedandknowingyourrightscanhelpensureahealthypregnancyandahealthybaby.Here’swhatyoucandotoprotectyourself,yourpregnancy,andyourbabyfromharmfulchemicalexposures.

Find out which chemicals you may be exposed to

Youremployerisrequiredtohaveinformationaboutthechemicalsyouareexposedtoandmakeitavailabletoyou.

Tofindoutthenamesof thechemicalsthatyouuseorthatareusedaround you, you can:

• Checkthelabelsoncontainersandpackaging.Theyprovidewrittenandgraphicinformationabouthazards.Readallthesigns,lookatallthepicturesandsymbols,andaskquestions.

• Asktoseesafetydatasheets(SDSs)fortheproductsinyourworkplace.SDSsprovidehealthandotherinformationaboutthechemicalsinproducts.Youremployerisrequiredtohaveanup-to-dateSDSforeachspecificformulationof thehazardouschemicalsinyourworkplace.

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Watch for symbolslike these andask questions!

HealthHazard Acute Toxicity

If you work in California —

Askforyouremployer’s“InjuryandIllnessPreventionProgram”

(IIPP),whichmustbekeptateachCaliforniaworksite.Lookatthe

plan,especiallythesectiononspecifichazardsatyourworkplaceand

whatyouremployerisdoingtoreduceexposures.Followthe

proceduresintheplanforraisingquestionswithyouremployer,

supervisor,companydoctor,orcompanyhealthandsafetyofficer.

Youremployerisrequiredtoprovidetrainingonthehealthhazardsof workplacechemicals.Forlistsof chemicalsthatcanharmyourpregnancyorcausecancer,visittheResourcessectionat: https://prhe.ucsf.edu

ReviewthehealthhazardinformationonSDSs.Keepinmindthatsometimestheinformationisnotaccurateorcomplete.SDSsmayalsobehardtounderstand.Don’tbeafraidtoaskformoreinformationorforhelp.

Findoutaboutthehealtheffectsofthe chemicals you may be exposed to2

Youcanbeexposedtochemicalsatworkif you:

• Inhalechemicalvapors,dust,orfumesfromtheair.• Getchemicalsonyourskinorinyoureyes.• Ingestchemicalswhenyoueat,drink,orsmokeorif youdonotwashyourhandsbeforeeating.

Youandyourfamilycanbeexposedtoworkplacechemicals athomeif:

• Youwearcontaminatedworkclothesorshoesinyourcar or at home.

• Youwashcontaminatedworkclotheswithfamilylaundry.• Chemicalsonyourskincomeintocontactwithhouseholditems.

Yourfetuscanbeexposedtothechemicalsyouinhaleorabsorbif theycrosstheplacenta.Somechemicalscanalsocontaminatebreastmilkandmayaffectnursinginfantsaswell.

Thetypeof chemicalyouareexposedto,theamount,andhowandwhenyouareexposedareimportantfactorsindeterminingwhetheryourexposurewillbeharmful.

Findoutassoonaspossibleif thekindof exposuresyouarelikelytohavecouldharmyourpregnancy.

• Talktoyourpersonalhealthcareprovideraboutyourexposure to chemicals at work.

• Talktoyourcompanyhealthcareprovider,ahealthandsafetyspecialist,aworkeradvocate,orotherswhoareknowledgeableaboutchemicalsandtheireffectsonhealth.

Find out how you and your baby can be exposed to chemicals

Identifyharmfulexposures

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Usesaferalternatives

Avoidingexposuretotoxicchemicalsprovidesthebestprotectionagainstharm.If youcannotavoidchemicalexposures,trytokeepthemaslowaspossible.Unfortunately,youcannotrelyonlegallimitstoensureyoursafety,evenif thelimitsarefullyenforced.Mostworkplacechemicalshavenotevenbeentestedforreproductiveanddevelopmentalhealtheffects.

Toeliminateorreduceyourexposure,youcan:

• Learnaboutthechemicalsusedinyourworkplace.• Requestthatyouremployerusesaferalternativestotoxic chemicals.• Followhealthandsafetyprocedures.• Findoutaboutanyavailable“accommodations.”Accommodationsarechangesyouremployermakestomeetyourneedswhileyouarepregnantornursingyourbaby.

Preventharmfulexposures5

Therearemanyeffectiveandsaferalternativestotoxicchemicals,andmorearebeingdevelopedeveryday.Saferalternativesoftenusesoy,water,mechanicalmethods,orlesshazardouschemicalstoendorreduceexposuretotoxicchemicals.Theycanhelpyoustayinthesamejobwhilestillpreventingharmfulexposures.Theycanalsobecost-effectiveforyouremployer,especiallygiventhecostof handlinganddisposingof toxicsubstances.Formoreinformationonsaferalternatives,visittheResourcessectionat:https://prhe.ucsf.edu

Follow guidelines

If youcannotuseasaferalternative,carefullyfollowtheguidelinesforusingtoxicchemicals.

• Useaslittleof thechemicalaspossible.

• Usetheprotectiveequipmentyouremployerprovides.

• Followguidelinesforventilation.

• Keepcontainersclosedtopreventspillsandminimizethe

releaseof chemicalsintotheair.

Find out about accommodations

If exposuretotoxicchemicalswouldendangeryouoryourpregnancy,youmayhavearighttoaskforchangesinyourwork.Suchchangesarecalled“accommodations.”Forexample,youmayhavearighttorequestachangeinyourdutiesorassignments,atransfertoanotherposition,orunpaidleaveunderthefederalPregnancyDiscriminationAct(PDA)orFamilyandMedicalLeaveAct(FMLA).2Formoreinformation,visittheResourcessectionat:https://prhe.ucsf.edu

Ifyouneedtorequestanaccommodation,itisimportanttoknowthat:

• Youmustgiveyouremployerappropriatenoticeof yourrequest.Therelevantlawwilltellyouexactlywhattodo,butingeneral

youshouldprovidenoticeassoonaspossibleandfollowyouremployer’snoticeprocedures.

• Youremployermayrequestmedicaldocumentationof theneedforaccommodation.Askyourhealthcareproviderforaletter.

If youareworriedaboutpossiblediscriminationorretaliation,askoneormoreof yourco-workersoraunionstewardtojoinyouwhenyoumakeyourrequest.Youcanallaskquestionsandwritedowntheresponses.Itisillegaltodiscriminateorretaliateagainstworkersforaskingquestions.

2Ingeneral,thereisnorighttotemporarypaidleaveunderfederallaw,andpregnantwomendonot usuallyqualifyforSocialSecuritydisabilitybenefits.

If you work in California—

YoumayalsohavearighttopaidleaveunderCalifornialaworif

youremployerprovidespaidleavetoothertemporarilydisabled

employees.Formoreinformation,visittheResourcessectionat:

https://prhe.ucsf.edu

Ask your health care professional for helpYourhealthcareproviderisanimportantpartnerinprotectingyouagainstharmfulexposuretochemicalsintheworkplace.Whileyouremployerisresponsibleforensuringasafeandhealthyworkplace,yourhealthcare providerneedstoknowaboutyourjobandworkplaceexposurestogiveyougoodcareandadvice.

Work history

Medical conditions

Advice&referrals

Tellyourhealthcareprofessionalaboutyourworkhistoryasearlyaspossible.Bringalistof thechemicalsusedinyourworkplace,andletyourdoctororotherproviderknowhow,howoften,andforhowlongyouareexposedtothem.Shareanywritteninformationyouhavefromyouremployer,suchasrecordsof chemicalexposuremonitoringormedicalmonitoring.Volunteerthisinformation;donotwaittobeasked.

Yourhealthcareprofessionalwilldeterminewhetheryouhaveanymedicalconditionsthatmakeyoumoresensitivetoharmfromchemicalexposures.Pregnancyandpreexistingconditionsorcomplicationsof pregnancymakeyoumoresensitivetotheharmfuleffectsof chemicalexposures.Tellyourproviderif youhaveanypastorpresentmedicalconditions,illnesses, orinjuries.

If youhaveamedicalconditionthatmakesyoumorevulnerabletochemicalexposures,youmayneedanaccommodationsuchasspecialprotectiveequipmentorachangeinyourduties.Forexample,if youhavecertain complicationsof pregnancy,suchashighbloodpressureortoomuchweightgain,youmaynotbeabletoweararespiratortopreventexposure.Similarly, if thereisnowaytoavoidexposuretoachemicalthatcancausemiscarriage,youmayneedtorequestatemporarytransferorleavefromyourposition.

Yourhealthcareprofessionalcanalsoprovidevaluableadviceandreferrals.Forinstance,sheorhecanhelpevaluatewhetherthechemicalsyouworkwithmayharmyourhealthorpregnancy.Yourprovidermayneedtoconsultwithanoccupationalhealthprogramorspecialistorreferyoudirectlyforanevaluation.Formoreinformation,visittheResourcessectionat:https://prhe.ucsf.edu

Your employer’s responsibilities

Asanemployee,youhavetherighttoasafeandhealthyworkplace.Thisbasicrightincludesbothinformationandtrainingonharmfulchemicalexposuresandprotectionagainstthem.Youalsohavetherighttoprotectionagainstpregnancydiscrimination,protectionagainstotherkindsof discriminationandretaliation,andfamilyandmedicalleave.Thissectioncovers:

• Whatyouremployerisrequiredtodotoprotectyou fromexposure.

• Lawsandregulationsthatcanhelpyou.

Youremployerisrequiredtomakesurethatexposurestoworkplacehazardsdonotharmyourhealth.Thisincludeschemicalhazardsthatcanaffectyourabilitytobecomepregnantandhaveahealthybaby.

Tofulfillthisresponsibility,youremployermust:

• Evaluatethehealthhazardsof thechemicalsusedinyour workplaceandinvolveworkersinperiodicinspections.

• Informyouof theknownhazards–inalanguageyouunderstand.• Protectyoufromhazardsbyimplementingawrittenplanto controloreliminateknownhazardsbyaspecificdate.

Formoreinformation,visittheResourcessectionat: https://prhe.ucsf.edu

Know your rights6 Laws & regulations

Mostpeoplearenotfamiliarwiththelawandmayevenfeelintimidatedbyit.Thisisnatural,butdon’tletitstopyou.Therearemanyresourcestohelpyouunderstandanduseyourlegalrights.Inaddition,alawyer,worker-protectionagency,employeeadvocate,legalservicesorganization,orothernonprofitorganizationmaybeabletohelpyouwithyourparticularsituation.Formoreinformation,visittheResourcessectionat:https://prhe.ucsf.edu

Whilecurrentlawsdonotfullyprotectyoufromexposuretotoxicchemicalsatwork,itwillstillhelpyoutoknowyourrightsandyouremployer’sresponsibilities.Knowingyourrightscanhelpyoutospeakupforthemostprotectionandbesttreatmentyoucanget.Formoreinformation,visittheResourcessectionat:https://prhe.ucsf.edu

The Occupational Safety and Health Act(OSHA)coversfederal-governmentandprivate-sectoremployees.Itrequiresemployerstoprovidesafeandhealthfulworkplaces.Employersmustcomplywithsafetyandhealthstandardsandkeepworkplacesfreefromseriousrecognizedhazards.

UnderOSHA,statesmayruntheirownjobsafetyandhealthprogramswithfederalapproval.Formoreinformation,visittheResourcessectionat:https://prhe.ucsf.edu

Laws dealing with workplace exposure to chemicals

UnderOSHA,youhavemanyrights,includingtherightto:

• Knowwhatchemicalsyoumaybeexposedtoatwork.• Receivetrainingonchemicalhazardsandwhatprecautions

to take.• Beprotectedfromharmfulchemicalexposures.• Receivemedicalmonitoringforexposuretocertainchemicals.• Seeandcopyyouremployer’s“hazardcommunication program.”Theprogrammustincludealistof allhazardouschemicalsintheworkplaceanddescribehowemployeeswillbetrainedonhazardouschemicalsintheirworkarea.

• SeeandcopyproductlabelsandSDSsforproductscontaininghazardouschemicals.

• Seeandcopyrecordsof chemical-exposuremonitoringinyourwork area.

• Seeandcopyyourownemployeemedicalrecords.• FileaconfidentialcomplaintwithOSHAaboutsafetyandhealthhazardsinyourworkplace.

• Beprotectedfromretaliationforreportingconcernsaboutjobsafetyandhealthtoyouremployer,union,OSHA,orother

governmentagency.

The Hazard Communication Standard(HCS)isafederalOSHArulethatcoversallhazardouschemicals.Itrequiresemployerstotellworkerswhichchemicalstheyareexposedtoandwhatthedangersof exposureare.Employersmust:

• Identifyandlisthazardouschemicalsintheworkplace.• HaveSDSsforproductscontaininghazardouschemicalsintheworkplaceandmakethemavailabletoworkers.

• Haveawritten“hazardcommunicationprogram”toprovideworkerswithinformationabouthazardsandhowtoprotectagainstthem.

• Informandtrainemployeesabouthazardswhenworkisassignedandwhennewhazardsareintroduced.

Section7of theNational Labor Relations Act(NLRA)protectsbothunionizedandnon-unionemployeesfromdiscriminationorretaliation,aslongastwoormoreemployeesareactingtogetheraboutwages,hours,orworkingconditions–includinghealthandsafetyhazards.Thatiswhyitcanbeveryhelpfultoenlistco-workersforsupportwhenrequestingaccommodationsfromyouremployer.

If you work in California—

California’sOSHAplaniscalledtheCaliforniaOccupationalSafety

andHealthProgram(Cal/OSHA).Itprovidesthesameoradditional

rightsasfederalOSHA.Forexample,Cal/OSHAprovidescoverageto

public-sectoremployeesbutfederalOSHAdoesnot.Cal/OSHAalso

hassomestandardsandregulations,includingPermissibleExposure

Limits(PELs),forchemicalsthatarenotcoveredbyfederalOSHA.

Laws dealing with workplace exposure to chemicals (continued)

Federalandstatelawscoveringmedicalleaveandjobprotectionoverlap.Insomecases,youcancombineleavepoliciesundermorethanonelawtoextendyourtimeawayfromthejobwhilepregnantorintheweeksafterchildbirth.Non-profitemploymentlawcenterscanhelpyouunderstandandmakeuseof theselaws.

The Family and Medical Leave Act(FMLA)isafederallawthatprovidestherighttounpaidleaveforreasonssuchasinabilitytoworkduetopregnancy,prenatalcare,andthebirthandcareof anewbornchild.If eligible,youcantakeupto12weeksof unpaid,job-protectedleaveina12-monthperiod.

The Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA)isafederallawthatprohibitsdiscriminationbasedonpregnancy.UnderthePDA,employersmusttreatpregnantwomenlikeotheremployees. Thismeansyouhavetherighttoworkaslongasyouareabletoperformyourjob.Inaddition,if youaretemporarilydisabledduetopregnancy,youhavetherighttothesamebenefitsandoptionsthatyouremployergivesothertemporarilydisabledemployees.Thiscouldincludeaccommodationssuchasachangeinyour dutiesorassignments,atemporarytransfer,andpaidorunpaidleave,aswellastherighttohaveyourjobheldopenforthesameamountof timeasyouremployergivestootheremployeesonsickordisabilityleave.

Laws establishing job & medical rights while pregnant

If you work in California— TheCaliforniaPregnancy Disability Leave Law (PDLL)providesuptosixteenweeksofpaidleaveforemployeeswhoaredisabledbypregnancy,childbirth,orrelatedmedicalconditionsif otheremployeeswouldbepaidduringnon-pregnancy-relatedtemporarydisabilities.Inotherwords,pregnantwomenmustbetreatedthesameasemployeeswithotherdisabilities.

ThisbrochurewasdevelopedbytheUniversityofCalifornia, SanFrancisco,ProgramonReproductiveHealthandtheEnvironment(PRHE)

incollaborationwithWorksafe,anonprofitorganizationdedicatedtoeliminatingworkplacehazards.

AsYouSow,aCalifornianonprofitorganizationdedicatedtocorporate accountability,providedfundingtoWorksafeforthedevelopmentof

thisbrochure.

WrittenbySupryiaM.Ray,Esq.-www.rayediting.comDesignedbyDanielleVelazquez-www.DanielleVelazquez.com

ContentupdatebyJulietaPisaniMcCarthy,M.A.DesignupdatebyCarolinaRojas

InformationonlegalrightsprovidedbyDanielleLucidoandMichaelSmith,bothofWorksafe,andSupryiaM.Ray

ResearchassistanceprovidedbyDylanAtchley,PRHE

WeareindebtedtoourlatedearfriendandcolleagueJuliaQuint,PhD,Chief,HazardEvaluationSystemandInformationService,CaliforniaDepartmentof PublicHealth,forprovidingherexpertiseonthereproductive

anddevelopmentalhealtheffectsof chemicalexposures.

Acknowledgments

©Copyright2012TheRegentsof theUniversityof California

Printed on 100% recycled paper, using soy-based ink and wind power in a unionized printing shop

Revised May 2016