Animal Handling SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers planning and conducting animal handling, treatment, transport and clean-up activities. It supports risk management for animal behaviour, injury, biological contamination, equipment use and incident response.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Plan the work and assess the animals
• Prepare the handling area and inspect equipment
• Move animals to the holding area and race
• Restrain animals for treatment or inspection
• Perform treatment or inspection activities
• Manage biological contamination and contaminated clothing
• Load, transport, release and observe animals
• Clean equipment and manage waste
• Respond to incidents and complete sign-off

Who is this for?

Suitable for contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses handling animals or carrying out related treatment, inspection or transport activities.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

The template includes references relevant to the documented work, including:

• Applicable Commonwealth, state or territory WHS/OHS legislation and regulations, including duties to manage risks, provide safe plant and systems of work, consultation, information, training, supervision, workplace facilities, emergency arrangements and incident notification.
• Safe Work Australia Model Code of Practice: Managing the risks of biological hazards at work (guidance only unless adopted or approved in the relevant jurisdiction).
• Safe Work Australia Model Code of Practice: How to manage work health and safety risks (guidance only unless adopted or approved in the relevant jurisdiction).
• Safe Work Australia Model Code of Practice: Hazardous manual tasks (guidance only unless adopted or approved in the relevant jurisdiction).
• Safe Work Australia Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of plant in the workplace (guidance only unless adopted or approved in the relevant jurisdiction).
• AS/NZS 1715 Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment; AS/NZS 1716 Respiratory protective devices; AS/NZS 2161 Occupational protective gloves; AS/NZS 2210 Personal protective equipment—Safety footwear; AS/NZS 1337 Personal eye-protection; AS/NZS 1270 Hearing protectors; AS/NZS 4602.1 High visibility safety garments.
• Apply relevant animal welfare, biosecurity, veterinary medicines, transport, environmental protection and public health requirements for the jurisdiction, species and activity.

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Standard SWMS Features (Click to Expand)

• Task-specific job steps, hazards and control measures
• Initial and residual risk ratings
• Assigned responsible persons for each job step
• Plant, equipment and PPE requirements where applicable
• Permits, qualifications and high-risk construction work details where applicable
• Worker consultation, sign-off and review sections