Domestic Animal Handling Stables and Pet Care Risk Assessment

Product Overview

This risk assessment covers domestic animal handling, stable and pet care activities, including animal movement, routine care, cleaning, equipment use and emergency response. It supports planning by identifying hazards and control considerations for managing risks to workers, visitors and animals during care activities.

Activities & Risks Covered

This assessment addresses activities and risks including:

• Assess animals and approach intake or enclosure tasks
• Move, lead, restrain and secure animals
• Provide feeding, watering and routine stable or kennel care
• Clean animal areas, manage waste and maintain hygiene
• Carry out grooming, washing and minor animal care tasks
• Use, store and apply medication, chemicals and disinfectants
• Use gates, latches, trolleys, clippers and electrical equipment
• Load and unload animals and manage vehicle movements
• Manage public interaction, isolated work, fatigue and stress
• Respond to animal-related injuries, escapes, chemical incidents and emergencies

Who is this for?

Suitable for workers, supervisors, contractors and businesses involved in domestic animal handling, stable care or pet care.

Activities & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

The template records model guidance used to inform the documented controls. Applicable WHS/OHS laws and adopted Codes vary by state or territory, so confirm the current local requirements when tailoring the assessment:

• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Hazardous manual tasks — 4.1 The hierarchy of control measures; p. 31.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: First aid in the workplace — 3. First aid equipment, facilities and training; p. 12.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing the work environment and facilities — 2. The work environment; p. 13.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Biological hazards — Clinical waste management; p. 88.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace — 2.1 How to identify which chemicals are hazardous; p. 15.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing electrical risks in the workplace — 2.1 Identifying the hazards; p. 14.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing the risk of fatigue at work — Provide sufficient breaks while at work; p. 30.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of plant in the workplace — Plant hazard identification — Traffic movements in the workplace; p. 17.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: How to manage work health and safety risks — 5. Step 4 — How to review controls; p. 27.

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Standard Risk Assessment Features (Click to Expand)

• Activity-specific hazard identification and control measures
• Initial and residual risk ratings
• Assigned responsible persons for each activity
• Risk matrix and assessment classification
• Review, monitoring and sign-off fields
• Site-specific customisation before use