Wildlife Handling Snake and Venomous Animal Safety Risk Assessment

Product Overview

This risk assessment covers planning, capture, containment, transport and emergency response when handling snakes and other venomous animals. It supports risk management by identifying exposure points involving animals, people, equipment, environmental conditions and response arrangements.

Activities & Risks Covered

This assessment addresses activities and risks including:

• Complete pre-start site, competency, equipment and emergency assessments
• Access habitat areas while managing visibility and uneven or obstructed ground
• Separate the public, clients, pets and bystanders from handling areas
• Capture and restrain snakes or venomous animals
• Transfer animals into bags, boxes or other temporary holding containers
• Transport contained animals and manage relocation locations
• Inspect, use, clean and pack handling and communication equipment
• Manage hygiene risks from blood, body substances, faeces and contaminated equipment
• Consider heat, hydration, sun exposure, fatigue, stress and worker fitness
• Plan bite, sting, first aid and emergency response arrangements

Who is this for?

Suitable for handlers, workers, supervisors, contractors and businesses carrying out wildlife handling involving snakes or venomous animals.

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 risk of fatigue at work — Provide sufficient breaks while at work; p. 30.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing the work environment and facilities — 2. The work environment; p. 13.
• 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: Managing risks of plant in the workplace — Plant hazard identification — Traffic movements in the workplace; p. 17.

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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