General Risk Assessment

Title: The Menopause and Work Ref No: Date completed:

What other
What are the Potential Suggested issues need to Action by Action by
Done
symptoms? interface with work adjustments be considered? whom when

Offer easy access to supply of cold drinking water.

Make sure there’s easy access to washroom facilities.

Sensitive to workplace temperature
Workwear/ uniform may become
Daytime sweats uncomfortable
and flushes Personal protective equipment (PPE),
for example, face masks/ visors and lead
aprons may be uncomfortable if worn for
long periods
Avoid nylon or close-fitting uniforms.
Look at ways to cool the working environment for
staff affected, for example fans at workstations;
move desks to near windows/open windows and
adjust air conditioning.
Take account of workers who travel for work and
allow them to access facilities during their working
day.

Limit the time wearing PPE.

Provide support and advice on sleep hygiene.

Consider temporary adjustment of shift patterns to

accommodate any difficulties.

Allow for flexible working (including consideration of

Night time sweats Tired at work due to lack of sleep home working).

and flushes
Allow for regular short stretch breaks to help
manage fatigue.

Recognise potential need for sickness absence.

General Risk Assessment - The Menopause and Work Page 1 of 5 HSF22MENOPAUSE

 General Risk Assessment

What other
What are the Potential Suggested issues need to Action by Action by
Done
symptoms? interface with work adjustments be considered? whom when

Consider temporary adjustment of shift patterns to

accommodate any difficulties.

Allow for flexible working (including consideration of

home working).
Unable to sleep Tired at work due to lack of sleep (maybe
compounded if shift work is carried out) Allow opportunity for regular short stretch breaks to
help manage tiredness/exhaustion.

Recognise potential problem of increased absence in

sickness absence policy.

Make sure there’s easy access to toilet and

washroom facilities.

Allow for more frequent breaks in work to go to

toilet.

Urogenital Need to access toilet facilities Offer easy access to supply of cold drinking water.

problems, for more frequently; may need to

drink more fluids Take account of workers who travel for work and
allow them to access facilities during their working
example increased day.
frequency, urgency May require time out to attend medical
appointments if further investigations or treatments
are required.

General Risk Assessment - The Menopause and Work Page 2 of 5 HSF22MENOPAUSE

 General Risk Assessment

What other
What are the Potential Suggested issues need to Action by Action by
Done
symptoms? interface with work adjustments be considered? whom when

Make sure there’s easy access to toilet and

washroom facilities.

Allow for more frequent breaks in work to go to the

Irregular periods
Need to access toilet and washroom
facilities more frequently
toilet.
Take account of workers who travel for work and
allow them to access facilities during their working
day.

May require time out to attend medical

appointments if further investigations or treatments
are required.

Psychological Encourage employee to discuss concerns openly at

one-to-one meetings with manager or occupational
problems health and negotiate possible adjustments.
Certain tasks may become more difficult to
carry out temporarily for example learning Provide access to counselling services.
new skills (may be compounded by lack of
Loss of confidence sleep and tiredness) Address work related stress through risk assessment
forgetfulness/ Performance may be affected
and implementation of the HSE’s management
standards.
memory loss Work-related stress may exacerbate these Consider a review of performance targets
symptoms temporarily until symptoms improve.

Difficulty Allow opportunity for regular short breaks from

workstation to help with any lapses in concentration.
concentrating
May require time out to attend medical
appointments if further investigations or treatments
Change in mood are required.

General Risk Assessment - The Menopause and Work Page 3 of 5 HSF22MENOPAUSE

 General Risk Assessment

What other
What are the Potential Suggested issues need to Action by Action by
Done
symptoms? interface with work adjustments be considered? whom when

Avoid nylon uniforms.

General itchiness Uniforms may become uncomfortable
Comfortable working temperatures.

Uniform may become uncomfortable

Weight gain Difficulties with mobility Promote physical wellbeing at work.

Promote physical and mental wellbeing at work.

Psychosocial and May feel isolated from work colleagues Provide access to counselling.
social impact Provide ability to network with colleagues
experiencing similar issues.

Make any necessary temporary adjustments

through review of risk assessments and work
schedules.

Muscular aches Allow opportunity for regular short stretch breaks

from workstation to avoid prolonged periods of
Moving and handling or adopting static
and bone and joint postures may be more uncomfortable static posture.

pain May require time out to attend medical

appointments if further investigations or
treatments are required.
Consider a review of performance targets
temporarily until symptoms improve.

General Risk Assessment - The Menopause and Work Page 4 of 5 HSF22MENOPAUSE

 General Risk Assessment

What other
What are the Potential Suggested issues need to Action by Action by
Done
symptoms? interface with work adjustments be considered? whom when

Consider a review of performance targets

Headaches Performance may be affected
temporarily until symptoms improve.
Recognise potential problem of increased absence in
sickness absence policy.
Attendance may be affected
Palpitations May require time out to attend medical
appointments if further investigations or treatments
are required.

Date of
Person completing risk assessment: next review:

Is a more detailed ‘specific’ assessment required on any of Yes No

the hazards?

Links to other documents if required (e.g. safe working

procedure, specific risk assessment, procedures): https://www.bupa.co.uk/health-information/womens-health/
menopause

https://www.rcn.org.uk/-/media/royal-college-of-nursing/
documents/publications/2016/february/005467.pdf

General Risk Assessment - The Menopause and Work Page 5 of 5 HSF22MENOPAUSE