52.—(1) Nothing in the following provisions, namely—
(a)Part III;
(b)Part IV so far as it applies to vocational training; or
(c)Part V so far as it has effect in relation to the provisions mentioned in sub‐paragraphs (a) and (b),
shall render unlawful any act done by a person in relation to a woman if—
(i)it was necessary for that person to do it in order to comply with a requirement of an existing statutory provision concerning the protection of women; or
(ii)it was necessary for that person to do it in order to comply with a requirement of a relevant statutory provision (within the meaning of Part II of the Health and Safety at Work (Northern Ireland) Order 1978) and it was done by that person for the purpose of the protection of the woman in question (or of any class of women that included that woman).
(2) In paragraph (1)—
(a)the reference in sub‐paragraph (i) to an existing statutory provision concerning the protection of women is a reference to any such provision having effect for the purpose of protecting women as regards—
(i)pregnancy or maternity; or
(ii)other circumstances giving rise to risks specifically affecting women,
whether the provision relates only to such protection or to the protection of any other class of persons as well; and
(b)the reference in sub‐paragraph (ii) to the protection of a particular woman or class of women is a reference to the protection of that woman or those women as regards any circumstances falling within sub‐paragraph (a)(i) or (ii) of this paragraph.
(3) In this Article “existing statutory provision” means (subject to paragraph (4)) any provision of—
(a)an enactment enacted before this Order; or
(b)an instrument made or approved under such an enactment (including one made or approved after the making of this Order).
(4) Where an enactment enacted after this Order re‐enacts (with or without modification) a provision of an enactment enacted before this Order, that provision as re‐enacted shall be treated for the purposes of paragraph (3) as if it continued to be contained in an enactment enacted before this Order.]