BlueSafe
Handling Venomous Snakes Risk Assessment

Handling Venomous Snakes Risk Assessment

  • • 100% Compliant with Australian WHS Acts & Regulations
  • • Fully Editable MS Word & PDF Formats Included
  • • Pre-filled Content – Ready to Deploy Immediately
  • • Customisable – Easily Add Your Logo & Site Details
  • • Includes 2 Years of Free Compliance Updates

Handling Venomous Snakes Risk Assessment

Product Overview

Identify and control organisational risks associated with Handling Venomous Snakes at a management and systems level, ensuring robust planning, governance and operational oversight. This comprehensive Risk Assessment supports WHS Act compliance, demonstrates executive Due Diligence, and helps protect your organisation from prosecution and operational liability.

Risk Categories & Hazards Covered

This document assesses risks and outlines management controls for:

  • Governance, Legal Compliance and WHS Duties: Assessment of PCBU, Officer and worker duties, regulatory licensing requirements, and organisational accountability for venomous snake handling operations.
  • Organisational Risk Management System: Management of enterprise-wide risk identification, assessment, treatment and review processes specific to venomous snake capture, relocation and display activities.
  • Competency, Training and Licensing Systems: Evaluation of competency frameworks, accredited training, refresher programs and licence verification for snake handlers, support staff and supervisors.
  • Policies, Procedures and Safe Systems of Work: Development and control of written policies, standard operating procedures and safe systems that govern planning, authorisation and conduct of all venomous snake interactions.
  • Equipment, PPE and Antivenom Management Systems: Selection, inspection and maintenance of handling tools, containment equipment, PPE, communication devices and antivenom storage, access and currency controls.
  • Site, Client and Public Interface Management: Protocols for risk assessment of sites, client briefings, exclusion zones, crowd control and public education during capture, demonstrations or relocations.
  • Journey, Transport and Storage Management: Management of vehicle suitability, secure transport containers, route planning, biosecurity considerations and storage conditions for venomous snakes and associated equipment.
  • Emergency Preparedness, First Aid and Medical Response: Planning for bites and envenomation, first aid capability, emergency communications, hospital liaison and post-incident medical follow-up.
  • Health Monitoring, Fitness for Work and Psychological Safety: Systems for pre-placement assessment, ongoing health monitoring, fatigue and stress management, and psychological support for staff exposed to high-risk events.
  • Incident Reporting, Investigation and Continuous Improvement: Structures for reporting near misses, bites and containment failures, root cause analysis, corrective actions and lessons learned integration.
  • Contractor, Volunteer and Third-Party Management: Controls for engaging, inducting and supervising contractors, volunteers, wildlife carers and other third parties involved in venomous snake handling activities.
  • Documentation, Records and Information Management: Governance of training records, licences, risk assessments, antivenom logs, inspection checklists and review documentation to demonstrate organisational compliance.

Who is this for?

This Risk Assessment is designed for Business Owners, Wildlife and Pest Management Operators, Council and Zoo Managers, and Safety Professionals responsible for planning, approving and overseeing Handling Venomous Snakes operations within their organisation.

Hazards & Risks Covered

Hazard Risk Description
1. Governance, Legal Compliance and WHS Duties
  • • Lack of documented WHS governance structure for venomous snake operations leading to unclear health and safety accountability
  • • Failure to identify and comply with WHS Act 2011 and WHS Regulation requirements relevant to handling venomous snakes (including hazard management and emergency preparedness)
  • • Inadequate consultation with workers and Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) about snake‑related risks and controls
  • • No formal process to review incidents, near misses, and regulatory updates related to venomous snake handling
  • • Insufficient due diligence by officers to ensure appropriate systems, resources and verification activities are in place
2. Organisational Risk Management System
  • • Absence of a structured risk management process for venomous snake handling across locations and work types
  • • Inconsistent or informal identification, assessment and control of snake‑related hazards
  • • No defined risk criteria or matrix for assessing risks associated with venomous bites, envenomation and public exposure
  • • Failure to consider reasonably foreseeable worst‑case scenarios (e.g. multiple victims, remote locations, delayed ambulance response)
  • • Lack of integration of snake‑related risks into broader organisational risk registers and business continuity planning
3. Competency, Training and Licensing Systems
  • • Inadequate or inconsistent competence of handlers, assistants and supervisors in venomous snake behaviour and safe handling principles
  • • Lack of formal training paths and assessment for venomous snake handling, restraint, transport and emergency response
  • • No verification of currency of licences, permits or authorisations required under wildlife, biosecurity or local regulations
  • • Overreliance on informal mentoring or past experience without documented competency assessment
  • • Insufficient training for non‑handling staff (e.g. reception, field workers, security, maintenance) who may inadvertently encounter venomous snakes
  • • No refresher or scenario‑based emergency training for response to bites, collapses or uncontrolled snake escapes
4. Policies, Procedures and Safe Systems of Work
  • • Absence of documented procedures for planning and authorising venomous snake work
  • • Inconsistent practices between handlers and sites leading to unsafe variability in controls
  • • No formal criteria for when venomous snake jobs can proceed, be modified or be refused on safety grounds
  • • Lack of documented exclusion zone, public interface and communication protocols during snake operations
  • • Insufficient procedural controls for working alone, after hours or in remote or poorly resourced locations
5. Equipment, PPE and Antivenom Management Systems
  • • Inadequate specification, procurement or maintenance of snake handling equipment (hooks, tongs, tubes, bags, containers)
  • • Lack of a systematic inspection and replacement program for critical safety equipment
  • • Insufficient or inappropriate PPE for venomous snake tasks (e.g. gaiters, gloves, boots, protective clothing, eye protection) due to cost or procurement failures
  • • Poorly managed antivenom stocks, storage conditions or access arrangements where antivenom is held onsite
  • • No standard equipment lists for vehicles or kits leading to missing or incompatible items at the point of need
6. Site, Client and Public Interface Management
  • • Lack of pre‑engagement screening of client sites and activities leading to uncontrolled public exposure to venomous snakes
  • • Poor control of crowds or bystanders during snake capture or relocation operations
  • • Conflicting instructions or unsafe demands from clients, event organisers or other PCBUs
  • • Inadequate arrangements for shared duties and cooperation where multiple PCBUs operate at the same location
  • • Insufficient communication of residual risks and behavioural expectations to clients after a snake has been removed or relocated
7. Journey, Transport and Storage Management
  • • No formal journey management planning for long‑distance or remote area travel associated with snake call‑outs
  • • Inadequate systems for safe containment of venomous snakes during transport resulting in escape risk within vehicles or at transfer points
  • • Insufficient controls for transporting snakes through or near public areas, schools, shopping centres or hospitals
  • • Lack of structured vehicle maintenance, fit‑out verification and inspection systems for snake operations
  • • Poorly controlled storage of venomous snakes at holding facilities, depots or temporary enclosures
8. Emergency Preparedness, First Aid and Medical Response
  • • Lack of an organisational emergency response plan specifically addressing venomous snake bites, collapses and escapes
  • • Inadequate first aid and CPR competence among workers likely to be first on scene
  • • No formal liaison with local ambulance, hospitals and poisons information services about the organisation’s venomous snake activities
  • • Failure to provide or maintain appropriate first aid equipment and communication tools at all likely work locations
  • • Poor post‑incident support and return‑to‑work planning for workers affected by bites or traumatic events
9. Health Monitoring, Fitness for Work and Psychological Safety
  • • No structured approach to health monitoring for workers regularly exposed to venomous snakes and related stressors
  • • Workers undertaking high‑risk tasks while experiencing fatigue, illness, medication side‑effects, substance use or psychological distress
  • • Lack of systems to identify, prevent and manage cumulative stress, anxiety or post‑traumatic stress related to snake work
  • • Stigma or fear discouraging workers from reporting health or mental health concerns that may affect safe performance
  • • Absence of clear procedures for temporary restriction or modification of duties when fitness for work is in doubt
10. Incident Reporting, Investigation and Continuous Improvement
  • • Under‑reporting of bites, near misses, equipment failures and unsafe conditions due to cultural or system barriers
  • • Superficial incident investigations that fail to identify root causes and systemic issues in venomous snake operations
  • • Lack of mechanisms to share lessons learnt across teams, regions and contractors
  • • No structured review of safety performance data to drive improvement initiatives
  • • Inadequate corrective action management leading to recurrence of similar incidents
11. Contractor, Volunteer and Third‑Party Management
  • • Engagement of contractors or volunteers to assist with venomous snake work without verifying competence and WHS systems
  • • Inconsistent expectations and controls between in‑house staff and external providers handling venomous snakes on behalf of the organisation
  • • No clear allocation of WHS duties and communication channels between PCBUs working together on snake‑related tasks
  • • Limited oversight of contractor compliance with agreed procedures, PPE and emergency arrangements
  • • Use of informal helpers (e.g. landowners, security guards, event staff) during snake events without appropriate controls
12. Documentation, Records and Information Management
  • • Critical information about venomous snake risks, incidents and controls not recorded or easily retrievable
  • • Outdated or conflicting procedures and guidance documents in circulation
  • • Inadequate record keeping for training, competency, equipment inspections and health monitoring
  • • Loss of key knowledge when experienced handlers or managers leave the organisation
  • • Insufficient access to current snake identification and envenomation management information for workers in the field

Need to add specific hazards for your workplace?

Don't worry if a specific hazard isn't listed above. Once you purchase, simply log in to your Client Portal and add your own custom hazards at no extra cost. We take care of the hard work—creating the risk ratings and control measures for free—to ensure your document is compliant within minutes.

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

  • Work Health and Safety Act 2011
  • Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017
  • AS/NZS ISO 31000:2018: Risk management — Guidelines
  • Model Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks: Guidance on systematic risk management processes.
  • Model Code of Practice: First Aid in the Workplace: Requirements for first aid facilities, equipment and training relevant to snakebite response.
  • Model Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace: Applicable to antivenom storage, handling and emergency use where classified as a hazardous substance.
  • AS/NZS 4801 / ISO 45001: Occupational health and safety management systems — requirements for systematic WHS governance.
  • AS 3745: Planning for emergencies in facilities — principles for emergency response planning and communication.
  • AS 1319: Safety signs for the occupational environment — guidance on warning and information signage for restricted and high-risk areas.
  • Relevant State/Territory Wildlife, Biosecurity and Animal Welfare Legislation: Compliance obligations for the capture, handling, transport and housing of venomous snakes.
Standard Risk Assessment Features (Click to Expand)
  • Comprehensive hazard identification for all activities
  • Risk rating matrix with likelihood and consequence analysis
  • Existing control measures evaluation
  • Residual risk assessment after controls
  • Hierarchy of controls recommendations
  • Action priority rankings
  • Review and monitoring requirements
  • Consultation and communication records
  • Legal compliance references
  • Sign-off and approval sections

$79.5

Safe Work Australia Aligned