Environmental Health & Safety

Reproductive Health in the Laboratory and Academic Environments             

In laboratory settings, both workers and students are often exposed to potential hazards that can jeopardize reproductive health. Given the incomplete understanding of the reproductive impacts of many chemicals, it's crucial for both laboratory personnel and students who are pregnant, nursing, or planning to conceive (regardless of gender) to consider seeking guidance from UCR Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) before initiating or continuing with their plans. 
While reporting one's condition to EH&S is voluntary, it can be highly advantageous. EH&S professionals can assist in assessing workplace and academic reproductive hazards and provide recommendations for implementing control measures to minimize exposure.

UC Riverside Reproductive Hazard Questionnaire

The aim of this voluntary questionnaire is to assist in identifying:

• Whether there are any chemical, biological, or radiological reproductive hazards in your work area.
• The level of potential exposures to these hazards.
• Methods to control and minimize exposure.
• Necessary information and training.

EH&S will collaborate with you to conduct a site hazard assessment of your work area to facilitate the completion of this Reproductive Hazard Questionnaire.

Please return the completed (employee portion) questionnaire to EH&S at ehsocchealth@ucr.edu.

Resources

• UCR Resources:
  • UCR Academic Personnel Office - Academic Leaves 
  • UCR Academic Personnel Office - Leave FAQs for Family Friendly Policies 
  • UCR Center for Early Childhood Education 
  • UCR Compliance Pregnancy 
  • UCR Disability Management  
  • UCR Formaldehyde Safety and Exposure Prevention in the Gross Anatomy Laboratory
  • UCR Human Resources - Health Care Facilitator Program 
  • UCR Student Case Management 
  • UCR Student Disability Resource Center 
  • School of Medicine Student Affairs - Office of Student Support & Wellness 
  • UCR Title IX, Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action 
• UC Resources:
  • UC Davis Student Parent Resources 
  • UC Guide: Pregnancy, Newborn Child, and Adopted Child Factsheet  
  • UC Merced - Expecting Parent Resources 
  • UC Research Safety Program for Pregnant Workers (UCLA) 
  • UC San Diego Pregnancy Resources 
  • UC What to do when you’re having a baby 
• Additional Resources:
  • Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) 
  • Equal Employment Opportunity Commission 
  • Pregnancy Discrimination and Pregnancy-Related Disability Discrimination 
  • Ionizing Radiation in the Workplace - MotherToBaby
  • Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) Social Media Toolkit – April 2024  
  • The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Reproductive Health and The Workplace 
  • The Pregnant Scholar – Helpful Handouts for students and faculty 
  • The Pregnant Scholar – How to find help  
  • The Pregnant Scholar – Title IX Basics  
  • The Pregnant Scholar – Toolkit