Fauna Spotter Catcher Risk Assessment

Product Overview

This risk assessment covers fauna spotting, capture, handling, transport and release activities, including site access, equipment use and emergency response. It supports planning by identifying hazards associated with fauna, work areas, vehicles, manual tasks and contaminated environments so risks can be considered before and during the work.

Activities & Risks Covered

This assessment addresses activities and risks including:

• Plan the fauna response, assess site conditions and confirm roles, communication and emergency arrangements.
• Travel to and move through the work area while managing vehicle movements, visibility and fatigue.
• Walk the site to locate fauna while considering uneven ground, vegetation, weather and defensive animals.
• Approach, capture and restrain fauna while managing sudden movement, injury and envenomation risks.
• Lift, carry and transfer animals, cages and field equipment using considered manual handling methods.
• Coordinate fauna work near plant, vehicles, active work areas and exclusion zones.
• Set up and use traps, nets, cages and handling equipment while checking for damage, entanglement and hygiene issues.
• Manage contact with animal matter, parasites, sharps and contaminated surfaces or equipment.
• Prepare for remote or isolated work and respond to wildlife-related injury, illness or falls.
• Transfer, release and close out fauna work while managing animal escape, handling and remaining site hazards.

Who is this for?

Suitable for contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out fauna spotting, catching, handling, transport or release activities.

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: 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: 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: How to manage work health and safety risks — 5. Step 4 — How to review controls; p. 27.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Excavation work — 2.3. Controlling the risks; p. 17.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Confined spaces — 3.4 Assessing the risks; p. 24.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing the risk of falls at workplaces — 3.2 Identifying the hazards; p. 16.

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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