Handling Venomous Snakes SWMS

Product Overview

This SWMS covers handling venomous snakes from planning and exclusion-zone setup through to containment, transport, release and close-out. It supports planning and risk management by addressing snakebite, escape, communication, access, equipment and emergency-response hazards.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes task-specific risk controls for:

• Plan the snake response and emergency arrangements
• Establish an exclusion zone and control unauthorised access
• Assess the location, access and possible snake position
• Inspect capture and containment equipment
• Brief the team and confirm communications
• Approach, contain and secure the snake
• Manage a snakebite emergency if required
• Load and transport the contained snake
• Release the snake safely
• Clean equipment, complete records and close out the work area

Who is this for?

For contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses involved in handling venomous snakes.

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: apply the relevant duties to identify hazards, eliminate or minimise risks so far as reasonably practicable, consult workers, provide information, training, instruction, supervision, first aid, emergency arrangements and effective communication for remote or isolated work.
• Applicable state or territory biodiversity, nature conservation, wildlife protection, animal welfare and biosecurity legislation: confirm the required authority to capture, possess, transport, relocate or release native venomous snakes.
• Safe Work Australia model Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks — guidance on consultation, risk assessment and the hierarchy of controls; model Codes require adoption or approval in the relevant jurisdiction before having legal effect there.
• Safe Work Australia model Code of Practice: First Aid in the Workplace — guidance for first-aid assessment, equipment, trained first aiders and emergency access. The knowledge base identifies animal bites, including snakes, as a workplace first-aid hazard.
• Safe Work Australia model Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities — guidance for remote or isolated work, effective communications and worker welfare. Remote-work guidance in the knowledge base recommends buddy systems, check-ins, radios, satellite communications and personal locator beacons.
• Safe Work Australia model Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks — guidance for reducing force, awkward posture and carrying through task design and mechanical aids.
• AS 3745 Planning for emergencies in facilities — guidance for emergency planning, response roles and evacuation arrangements.
• AS/NZS 2210.3 Personal protective equipment—Safety footwear; AS/NZS 1337.1 Personal eye-protection; AS/NZS 4602.1 High visibility safety garments — use where the task and site risk assessment require the relevant PPE.

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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