Product Overview

Summary: This SOP provides a clear, practical framework for safely managing interactions with nocturnal animals in and around Australian workplaces. It helps organisations protect workers, visitors, livestock and wildlife while maintaining legal compliance and minimising operational disruption during night-time or low-light activities.

Many Australian workplaces operate at dusk, overnight or in remote locations where encounters with nocturnal animals are common. From bats in warehouses and possums in ceiling spaces, to snakes on rural properties and kangaroos on access roads, unmanaged interactions can lead to bites, scratches, vehicle collisions, disease transmission and significant distress for workers. This Management of Nocturnal Animals SOP sets out a structured, defensible process for identifying nocturnal animal risks, planning work, and responding safely and humanely when animals are present.

The procedure guides businesses through risk assessment, control measure selection, worker training and communication, and coordination with licensed wildlife handlers or pest controllers. It emphasises compliance with WHS legislation, animal welfare obligations and relevant environmental regulations, while also protecting business continuity by reducing avoidable incidents, call-outs and property damage. By implementing this SOP, organisations can demonstrate due diligence, improve worker confidence during night operations and ensure that interactions with nocturnal wildlife are managed consistently, respectfully and safely.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of bites, scratches and vehicle collisions involving nocturnal animals during night-time operations.
• Ensure compliance with WHS, animal welfare and environmental obligations when managing nocturnal wildlife on or near worksites.
• Standardise how workers report, assess and respond to nocturnal animal sightings or incursions across multiple sites.
• Improve worker confidence and psychological safety when working alone or in low-light environments where nocturnal animals are active.
• Minimise operational disruption, property damage and reputational risk associated with poorly managed wildlife interactions.

Who is this for?

• WHS Managers
• Site Supervisors
• Farm Managers
• Rangers and Land Management Officers
• Facilities and Grounds Maintenance Managers
• Security Managers and Night Supervisors
• Local Government Environmental Health Officers
• Wildlife and Pest Management Contractors
• Emergency Response Coordinators
• Event and Venue Operations Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Bites and scratches from bats, possums and other nocturnal mammals
• Envenomation from snakes and spiders active at night or in low-light conditions
• Zoonotic disease transmission (e.g. Australian bat lyssavirus, leptospirosis, Q fever)
• Vehicle collisions with kangaroos and other nocturnal fauna on access roads and remote sites
• Trips, slips and falls when workers react unexpectedly to animal encounters in dark areas
• Psychological stress and anxiety associated with working alone in areas with nocturnal wildlife
• Property damage and electrical hazards from animals nesting in ceilings, plant rooms or equipment
• Inappropriate handling or relocation of protected wildlife leading to legal and safety consequences

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Types of Nocturnal Animals Encountered
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Legal and Regulatory Obligations (WHS, Wildlife and Animal Welfare)
• 5.0 Risk Assessment for Nocturnal Animal Hazards
• 6.0 Planning Night-Time and Low-Light Work Activities
• 7.0 Control Measures and Environmental Design (Lighting, Access, Signage, Traffic Management)
• 8.0 Safe Work Practices for Common Nocturnal Animal Scenarios
• 9.0 Procedures for Reporting, Recording and Escalating Animal Encounters
• 10.0 Engagement with Licensed Wildlife Handlers and Pest Management Providers
• 11.0 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements
• 12.0 Vehicle Operation and Roadway Controls in High-Risk Wildlife Areas
• 13.0 Cleaning, Waste Management and Food Storage to Deter Nocturnal Animals
• 14.0 Incident, Injury and Near Miss Response (Including First Aid for Bites and Scratches)
• 15.0 Emergency Procedures for Aggressive or High-Risk Animal Encounters
• 16.0 Training, Induction and Toolbox Talks for Workers and Contractors
• 17.0 Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement of Controls
• 18.0 Recordkeeping, Reporting and Document Control

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and corresponding state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 and equivalent state and territory regulations
• Safe Work Australia – How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks: Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace: Code of Practice (for chemical controls such as repellents where relevant)
• AS/NZS ISO 45001:2018 Occupational health and safety management systems
• Relevant state and territory wildlife, biodiversity and animal welfare legislation (e.g. Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (NSW), Wildlife Act 1975 (VIC), Animal Welfare Acts)
• State and territory Codes of Practice for the Welfare of Wildlife and for the Use of Animals in Controlled Situations