Registration is now open for the UCL-HSE Stakeholder Workshop on Workplace Noise and Pregnancy on Friday 4 December, 11:45 am to 4:45 pm, at the UCL ICH Wolfson Centre in  London. 

Reserve your free place here:   https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/workplace-noise-and-pregnancy-impact-and-mitigation-tickets-2001045436768?aff=oddtdtcreator

An estimated 11% of female workers are exposed to hazardous occupational noise levels (≥85 dBA). Noise exposure during pregnancy has been associated with adverse reproductive  outcomes such as low birth weight and hearing dysfunction, while recent research suggests that the maternal abdomen provides limited protection to the developing fetus from external noise. 

 Current guidance advises that risk assessments give particular consideration to pregnant workers and that ‘special efforts’ should be taken to restrict their noise exposure.  However, there is currently no evidence-based guidance defining safe levels of occupational noise exposure during pregnancy.

 This workshop will bring together stakeholders from academia, healthcare, industry and occupational health to examine the challenges facing pregnant workers in noisy environments.  It will explore the evidence on potential adverse effects and consider how future research, guidance and practical measures could help mitigate the risks.

 The programme will feature presentations from leading experts, followed by a panel discussion:

 • Dr Jenny Selander, Karolinska Institutet: Adverse effects of occupational noise during pregnancy

• Prof Eric Jauniaux, University College London: Development of the human fetus auditory system

 • Dr Pierre Gélat, University College London: Sound transmission into the womb and associated bioeffects

 • Prof Charlotte Clark, City St George’s, University of London: Making noise in policy

• Prof Tim Leighton, University of Southampton/UCL: Effects of high frequency sound and low frequency ultrasound on humans

 • Melissa Smith, Balfour Beatty Power Transmission & Distribution: Occupational noise exposure and pregnancy

Register now to join the discussion:  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/workplace-noise-and-pregnancy-impact-and-mitigation-tickets-2001045436768?aff=oddtdtcreator