Product Overview

Summary: This Wildlife Management Safe Operating Procedure provides a clear, legally defensible framework for preventing, managing and responding to wildlife encounters in and around Australian workplaces. It helps organisations protect workers, contractors, visitors and native fauna while maintaining compliance with WHS duties and environmental legislation.

Wildlife interactions are a routine part of work across Australia, from construction, mining and utilities through to parks, councils, agriculture and tourism operations. Uncontrolled encounters with snakes, spiders, kangaroos, birds, feral animals and protected native species can lead to serious injury, vehicle incidents, biosecurity risks, reputational damage and significant regulatory penalties. This Wildlife Management SOP establishes a structured, risk-based approach to identifying wildlife hazards, implementing control measures and responding safely and humanely when wildlife is present on or near work sites.

The procedure translates WHS and environmental obligations into practical, step-by-step instructions tailored to Australian conditions. It covers planning works in known wildlife habitats, safe driving in high‑risk areas, managing food and waste to avoid attracting animals, engaging licensed wildlife handlers, and clear communication protocols for staff and contractors. By adopting this SOP, businesses can demonstrate due diligence, reduce the likelihood of wildlife-related incidents, and show genuine commitment to protecting both people and native fauna.

This SOP is particularly valuable for organisations operating in remote or regional areas, near waterways, bushland or conservation zones, or on large, unfenced sites such as airports, solar farms or transmission corridors. It supports consistent training, incident reporting and continuous improvement, ensuring wildlife risks are managed systematically rather than reactively.

Key Benefits

• Reduce the risk of worker injury from wildlife encounters through clear, practical control measures.
• Ensure compliance with WHS legislation and relevant environmental and wildlife protection laws.
• Standardise how staff identify, report and respond to wildlife on site, improving consistency across projects and locations.
• Minimise operational disruption and delays caused by unplanned wildlife incidents or site shutdowns.
• Demonstrate corporate responsibility and care for native fauna, supporting stakeholder confidence and social licence to operate.

Who is this for?

• WHS Managers
• Site Supervisors
• Operations Managers
• Environmental and Sustainability Officers
• Rangers and Field Officers
• Facilities and Grounds Maintenance Managers
• Construction Project Managers
• Mining and Resources HSE Advisors
• Parks and Recreation Coordinators
• Airport and Airside Operations Managers
• Utilities and Infrastructure Supervisors
• Agricultural and Horticultural Managers

Hazards Addressed

• Bites and stings from venomous snakes, spiders and insects
• Aggressive behaviour or attacks from larger animals (e.g. kangaroos, feral pigs, dogs, livestock)
• Vehicle collisions with wildlife, particularly at dawn, dusk and night
• Zoonotic disease transmission from wildlife or feral animals
• Trips, falls or environmental exposure when attempting to avoid or move away from wildlife
• Stress and psychological impacts on workers following close wildlife encounters
• Regulatory non-compliance arising from harm to protected species or habitat disturbance
• Biosecurity risks associated with invasive species or animal carcass management

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and Types of Wildlife Encounters
• 3.0 Roles and Responsibilities
• 4.0 Planning and Risk Assessment for Wildlife Hazards
• 5.0 Site Design, Housekeeping and Waste Management Controls
• 6.0 Safe Work Practices in Wildlife-Prone Areas
• 7.0 Vehicle Operation and Travel in High-Risk Wildlife Zones
• 8.0 Wildlife Encounter Response Procedures (Snakes, Large Mammals, Birds, Feral Animals)
• 9.0 Communication, Signage and Worker Induction Requirements
• 10.0 Use of Licensed Wildlife Handlers and External Authorities
• 11.0 Personal Protective Equipment and First Aid Considerations
• 12.0 Incident Reporting, Investigation and Record Keeping
• 13.0 Environmental and Legal Compliance Considerations
• 14.0 Training, Competency and Awareness Programs
• 15.0 Review, Audit and Continuous Improvement

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and corresponding state and territory WHS Acts and Regulations
• Safe Work Australia – How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks: Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – First Aid in the Workplace: Code of Practice
• AS/NZS ISO 31000:2018 Risk management – Guidelines
• Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth)
• Relevant state and territory wildlife, biodiversity and animal welfare legislation (e.g. Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (NSW), Nature Conservation Act 2014 (ACT), Wildlife Act 1975 (VIC))