Product Overview

This Wildlife Handling Snake and Venomous Animal Safety SWMS is a site-ready Safe Work Method Statement designed to identify, control, and minimise risks when working with or around wildlife, snakes, and other venomous animals. It is a comprehensive, pre-filled document that addresses multiple aspects of wildlife interaction, animal control, and snake and venomous animal safety to support strong WHS compliance on Australian worksites.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Safe approaches to wildlife or pest animals, including staged observation, distance rules, and escape routes
• Identification and awareness of local snake, spider, and insect species, including venomous and protected fauna
• Management of onsite insects and animals around work areas, amenities, and storage zones
• Procedures for safely dealing with wildlife found in vehicles, plant cabins, and service utes
• Controls for managing wildlife intrusions into buildings, sheds, and temporary site facilities
• Safe removal and relocation of wildlife encountered on construction, maintenance, and rural worksites
• Risk controls for engaging with wildlife during outdoor cleaning, grounds maintenance, and landscaping work
• Safe feeding and handling protocols for carnivorous animals, including separation barriers and emergency response
• Handling and control measures for venomous insects and spiders, including PPE, sprays, and exclusion zones
• Procedures for safely handling potentially rabid or diseased mammals, including quarantine and notification
• Specialised handling techniques and equipment use for venomous reptiles such as snakes and certain lizards
• Removal of wild animals from premises using humane capture, containment, and relocation methods
• Rescuing trapped or injured wildlife while controlling manual handling, bite, and scratch risks
• Strategies to avoid animal attacks at remote properties, including journey planning and communication systems
• Working closely with wildlife in parks, reserves, zoos, farms, and remote environments with clear supervision and permit requirements
• Emergency response, first aid, and incident reporting for bites, stings, envenomation, and animal-related injuries

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for wildlife handlers, pest controllers, zoo and sanctuary staff, park rangers, agricultural and farm workers, remote area workers, and site supervisors who manage or may encounter snakes, venomous animals, and other wildlife on or around Australian worksites.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Model Code of Practice: How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks – Guidance on identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing controls for wildlife and venomous animal hazards
• Model Code of Practice: First Aid in the Workplace – Requirements for first aid equipment, training, and response to bites, stings, and envenomation
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the Work Environment and Facilities – Controls for keeping work areas, amenities, and vehicles safe from wildlife intrusions
• Model Code of Practice: Hazardous Manual Tasks – Managing musculoskeletal risks when lifting traps, cages, and handling animals
• AS/NZS ISO 31000:2018 Risk Management – Guidelines – Framework for systematic risk assessment and control of wildlife and venomous animal hazards
• AS/NZS 1319:1994 Safety Signs for the Occupational Environment – Requirements for warning signage for snakes, wildlife, and restricted areas
• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017