Table 1
Labelling elements for products/materials which can damage the unborn child (7)
| Pictogram | Hazard category | Hazard statement codes | Hazard statement text |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reproductive toxicity 1A,1B | H360D | May damage the unborn child. |
| H360FD | May damage fertility. May damage the unborn child. | ||
| H360Df | May damage the unborn child. Suspected of damaging fertility. | ||
| H360Fd | May damage fertility. Suspected of damaging the unborn child. | ||
| Reproductive toxicity 2 | H361d | Suspected of damaging the unborn child. | |
| H361fd | Suspected of damaging fertility. Suspected of damaging the unborn child. |
[i] Important note: in cases of combined effects, e.g. may damage fertility (category 1) and suspected of damaging the unborn child (category 2), the more severe effect is used for the overall category of a product/chemical (in this case reproductive toxicity 1, accompanied by the statement H360Fd). It is important to read the full text of the hazard statement, not just the classification, to be informed if an effect on unborn child is expected or just suspected
Table 2
Seronegativity among women of reproductive age and the risk of foetal transmission if primary infection occurs (34,35,36,37,38)
| Pathogen | Estimated seronegativity among women of reproductive age | Risk of foetal transmission if primary infection occurs |
|---|---|---|
| Cytomegalovirus | 40–70 % | ~30–40 % (severe sequelae in ~10 % cases) |
| Parvovirus B19 | 35–50 % | ~30 % (associated with foetal hydrops) |
| Rubella virus | <5 % in vaccinated populations; <10 % without vaccination | up to 90 % in early pregnancy |
| Varicella-zoster virus | ~5–10 % in developed countries | ~2 % if infection occurs before 20 weeks |
| Toxoplasma gondii | 40–60 % | increases with gestational age (early infections cause more severe foetal damage) |
Table 3
Risk level according to the Ordinance on the protection at work of workers exposed to static dynamic, psychophysiological and other strain at work (42) for lifting, holding, carrying, or pulling and pushing loads
| Risk level | Risk score (RS) range | Risk of physical exertion | Explanation regarding physical overload |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | <10 | low | Physical overload is unlikely. No health risk is to be expected. |
| 2 | 10–24* | slightly increased | Physical overload is possible for less resilient workers.* Workplace adjustment would be helpful for them. |
| 3 | 25–50** | substantially increased | Physical overload is also possible for normally resilient workers. Workplace adjustment is advisable. |
| 4 | >50** | high | Physical overload is likely. Workplace adjustment is necessary |
* Less resilient workers include people over 40 or under 21 years of age, workers who have just started working (inexperienced workers), or people suffering from a disease.
** Risk score >40 is considered heavy physical exertion and are contraindicated in pregnant workers (5)