RISK ASSESSMENT FORM
Use this form to assist you to complete risk assessments for hazardous activities and processes. Any serious or
ongoing hazards should be reported via RiskWare to ensure that appropriate corrective actions are tracked and
completed.
Faculty/School:
Science/Biological Sciences
Initial Issue Date: 21/5/14
Next Review Date: 21/5/15
Risk Assessment Reference Number:
Risk Assessment Name:
Risks of encountering snakes in the field
Prepared by:
Michael Joseph
Responsible supervisor/s:
On site participants and/or supervisors of field work
Identify the activity and the location
Activity or process:
Any field activity in which snakes may be encountered. This
is for unintentional contact with snakes, not snake research
or handling.
Location:
Most outdoor field locations
Identify who may be at risk
This may include fellow workers, students,
visitors, contractors and the public
Persons at risk:
Any person in the field including researchers,
students, volunteers, contractors or public.
Risk assessment team (Who was consulted?):
Members of Prof Rick Shine’s group who are
experienced in snake research
List of Legislation, Code of Practice, Australian Standards, Guidance Materials used to determine control
measures


WHS Act 2011
WHS Regulations 2011
Risk Assessment Methodology
Assessing the risk is a brainstorming exercise, which is most effectively carried out in a team environment with the people
required to complete the activity or process. Most activities or processes are broken down into a variety of separate tasks. For
each task, consider the hazards, the potential harm or negative outcomes and the conditions required for those negative
outcomes to occur.
Whenever assessing the health and safety risks associated with a task, always consider the following primary risk factors.




The physical activities required to complete the task e.g. repetitive movement, high force, physical exertion,
awkward posture
The work environment e.g. lighting, work layout, traffic, thermal comfort, working in isolation
The nature of the hazard itself e.g. working with chemicals, microorganisms, radiation, machinery, potentially violent
clients
The individual workers involved, e.g. level of training, skills, experience, health, age, physical capacity
The information gathered from the risk assessment process must be used to develop a Safe Work Procedure (SWP).
RISK ASSESSMENT FORM
Task or
scenario
Hazard/s
Associated
harm, e.g.
what could go
wrong?
Encountering
snake when
walking through
or working in a
bush site
Snakebite
Deep wounds
and
envenomation
Existing Risk Controls
Current risk
rating
Use the Risk
Matrix
Additional Risk Controls?1
Residual
risk rating
Use the Risk
Matrix
When walking through areas that
snakes may inhabit personnel are
advised to wear long trousers and
sturdy fully-enclosed shoes. It is
also recommended that personnel
wear protective gloves when
turning over items such as rocks
and logs.
Consequence
severe
Likelihood
Rare
Risk Medium
Bites from venomous snakes: In case of a
snakebite from a venomous snake, a
compression bandage must be applied
immediately (following the pressureimmobilisation technique), and the casualty kept
calm. All bites from venomous snakes should be
treated as cases of envenomation, even if it is
suspected that no envenomation has occurred.
The casualty must be transported to the closes
hospital as soon as possible. Phone ahead to
the hospital to advise them of the species of
snake (if known) so antivenin can be made
available
Bites from non-venomous snakes: Bites may
require application of a topical antiseptic and a
dressing. Medical advice may be needed for
severe bites. All personnel handling animals
should have an up-to-date tetanus vaccination
Consequence
severe
Likelihood
Rare
Risk Medium
Carry a first aid kit with
compression bandages designed
for snakebite and be familiar with
pressure immobilisation
technique.
Be observant, watch the path
ahead. Step onto logs, rather
than over them in one stride
Snakes can be found in bushland or urban
environments. Snakes tend to be more active in
the warmer months during daylight hours
Stomp the ground as you walk.
Snakes will pick up the vibrations
and generally they will retreat
1
Always consider whether or not it is possible to eliminated the hazard or hazardous task altogether. If this is not possible, refer to the hierarchy of risk
controls.
RISK ASSESSMENT FORM
Implementation of Additional Risk Controls
Additional risk
controls needed
Resources required
Responsible person
Date of
implementation
RiskWare Reference
Write the Safe Work
Procedure (SWP)
Time (approx 1 hour)
Supervisor
N/A
Train workers to
complete process in
accordance with SWP
Time – supervisor and
workers
Supervisor
N/A
List emergency controls for how to deal with fires, spills or exposure to hazardous substances and/or
emergency shutdown procedures
First Aid for Snake Bites – from “
http://sydney.edu.au/medicine/anaesthesia/resources/venom/snakebite.html#firstaid”
1. Do NOT wash area of bite. Venom identification kits need a trace of venom from the wound in order to administer the correct
antivenin
2. The "pressure-immobilisation" technique is currently recommended by the Australian Resuscitation Council, the Royal
Australasian College of Surgeons and the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists.
The lymphatic system is responsible for systemic spread of most venoms. This can be reduced by the application of a firm
bandage (as firm as you would put on a sprained ankle) over a folded pad placed over the bitten area. While firm, it should not
be so tight that it stops blood flow to the limb or constricts the veins. Start bandaging directly over the bitten area, ensuring that
the pressure over the bite is firm and even. If you have enough bandage you can extend towards more central parts of the
body, to delay spread of any venom that has already started to move centrally. A pressure dressing should be applied even if
the bite is on the victim’s trunk or torso.
Immobility is best attained by application of a splint or sling, using a bandage (or whatever is at hand) to minimise all limb
movement, and if possible move the patient on a stretcher. Where possible, bring transportation to the patient (rather than vice
versa). Don't allow the victim to walk or move a limb. Reassure the victim.
The pressure-immobilisation approach is simple, safe and will not cause iatrogenic tissue damage (i.e., from incision, injection,
freezing or arterial tourniquets - all of which are ineffective).
See the AVRU site for more details of bandaging techniques.
Bites to the head, neck, and back are a special problem - firm pressure should be applied locally if possible.
Removal of the bandage will be associated with rapid systemic spread. Hence ALWAYS wait until the patient is in a fullyequipped medical treatment area before bandage removal is attempted.
Do NOT cut or excise the area or apply an arterial tourniquet! Both these measures are ineffective and may make the situation
worse.
RISK ASSESSMENT FORM
REVIEW
Scheduled review date
1 year
2 years
3 years
Are the control measures in place (YES/NO)
Are the control measures effective in eliminating or
minimizing the risk (YES/NO)
Have the new control measures introduced any new
hazards (YES/NO)
Reviewed by:
Actual Review date:
Risk Matrix
Consequence
Likelihood
People
Is expected to
occur in most
circumstances
Almost Certain
Will probably
happen in most
circumstances
Likely
Could occur at
some time
Possible
Not likely to occur
in normal
circumstances
Unlikely
May occur only in
exceptional
circumstances
Rare
Injuries not
requiring
First Aid
First Aid
required
Medical
treatment
required
Hospital
admission
required
Death or
permanent
disability to one or
more persons
Insignificant
Minor
Moderate
Major
Severe
Medium
High
High
Very High
Very High
Medium
Medium
High
High
Very High
Low
Medium
High
High
Very High
Low
Low
Medium
Medium
High
Low
Low
Medium
Medium
Medium
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