A–Z Glossary

Workplace chemical exposure

Occupational exposure is repeated contact with potentially harmful substances that occurs as part of a person’s work.

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Common safety mistakes during pregnancy

Common safety mistakes during pregnancy

Why safety mistakes happen so easily One of the most frustrating parts of pregnancy is that a choice can look harmless until you learn more about it. A supplement may be marketed as “natural,” a food may seem familiar, and a medicine may have been fine before conception. In pregnancy, though, the margin for error […]

Understanding safe vs unsafe behaviors in pregnancy

Understanding safe vs unsafe behaviors in pregnancy

A practical framework for safe, unsafe, and uncertain behaviors It helps to think about behavior in pregnancy as a spectrum rather than a simple yes-or-no test. In occupational safety research, actions are often described as safe or unsafe, intentional or unintentional; that framing translates well here because pregnancy involves both deliberate choices and exposures that […]

What to avoid each trimester

What to avoid each trimester

Core avoid list that applies in all trimesters Some items belong on every pregnancy safety and restrictions list because they affect fetal development across gestation, not just at one point in time. Alcohol is the clearest example: no amount has been shown to be safe in pregnancy, so the standard advice is complete avoidance. Tobacco, […]

Work adjustments by trimester

Work adjustments by trimester

A trimester-based approach to working while pregnant Pregnancy is dynamic. Cardiovascular output increases, plasma volume expands, ligaments become more lax, the center of gravity shifts, and respiratory reserve gradually narrows. These normal adaptations may make certain job tasks feel different from one trimester to the next. A person who can comfortably stand for a full […]

Is hair dye unsafe during pregnancy myth

Is hair dye unsafe during pregnancy myth

Why the myth exists The myth that hair dye is unsafe during pregnancy likely persists because it contains a kernel of understandable concern. Hair dyes can contain chemicals, including aromatic amines, hydrogen peroxide, ammonia or ammonia substitutes, resorcinol, and other compounds depending on the product and formulation. Pregnancy is also a period when people are […]