Worksheet: Identifying a hazard
The following activities are to give you practice in identifying different types of hazards
that may occur in animal care workplaces. There are three parts. You will find feedback at
the end of the questions.
Part 1
Alongside of each photo, note down the type of potential hazard that could occur.
Photo 1
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© NSW DET 2007
Photo 2
Photo 3
Photo 4
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© NSW DET 2007
Photo 5
Photo 6
Photo 7
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© NSW DET 2007
Part 2
Below is a list of different types of hazards, some of which may be applicable to your
workplace. Complete the table below this list using examples of potential hazards from
your workplace.

cold exposure

heat exposure

UV radiation

use of pesticides

driving cars

riding ATVs (all terrain
vehicles)

noise

using fertilisers

aggressive clients

sharp objects

handling sheep

handling cattle

handling heavy objects

dog bites

unfair work expectations

rotating machinery parts.
Type of
hazard
Description
Physical
Hazards that are caused by
environmental factors
Chemical
A hazard from a solid liquid or
gas of natural or unnatural
origin
Biological
A bacterium, virus or fungus
that can enter the body
Ergonomic
Hazards caused by moving
loads, handling animals and
slips and falls
Electromechanical
Hazards caused by moving
machinery or electric machinery
Psychosocial
Hazards that affect how we feel
about ourselves
Examples
Ways it can harm you
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© NSW DET 2007
Part 3
Consider the following scenario and then answer the questions.
You are employed by Kerridge & Co as a stock and station agent. A new client, Joe
Murray, has asked you to do an inspection of a mob of 60, three and four-year-old bullocks
on his property. Joe has indicated that they would like you to assist them to draft off a
semi-trailer load for sale. The property is located 120 kilometres from your office, the
access road is gravel for the last 50 kilometres and there is no mobile phone coverage on
the gravel road. It is also subject to flooding during the storm season. This is your first visit
to the property.
a. One hazard that could be identified in this scenario is handling/drafting cattle. Can you
think of any other risks associated with handling/drafting cattle?
………………………………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………………………..
b. A number of control measures have been suggested for this job. Can you think of any
others?
………………………………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………………………..
c. Using the hazard/hazardous activity ‘driving on gravel roads’, complete the rest of the
table by:
i. identifying the risks and their potential consequences
ii. suggesting some control measures that could be used to eliminate or
control the risks.
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© NSW DET 2007
Hazard or
hazardous
activity
Risks
Potential
consequences
Control measures
Handling
/drafting cattle
Lacerations, broken bones
caused by kicking, charging
animals, crush injuries from
contact between handler,
animals and gates or yards
First aid treatment
Training of all agency staff
involved in handling cattle
Contracting diseases from
cattle (zoonoses)
Eg, Q Fever, Tetanus
Significant time off
work and, in rare
cases, death
Find out type and conditions
of yards from owner
Find out temperaments and
history of handling of cattle
from owner
Set aside adequate time for
drafting activity
Wear appropriate work
clothes and boots
Ensure adequate number of
people available to carry out
task
Bring along your own
drafting equipment
Vaccinating for possible
infections
Good personal hygiene
Driving on a
gravel road
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© NSW DET 2007
Feedback
Part 1

Photo 1: Lifting a heavy dog could cause manual handling hazards.

Photo 2: Blow-drying a cat could cause physical hazards—eg burns to yourself
and/or the cat.

Photo 3: A blood-filled syringe could cause biological hazards.

Photo 4: Poorly stacked cages could cause ergonomic and physical hazards.

Photo 5: The necessity to use an insecticidal rinse could cause chemical hazards.

Photo 6: Working in an X-ray room could cause radiation hazards.

Photo 7: Working with customers, particularly difficult customers, could cause
psychological hazards.
Part 2
Type of
hazard
Description
Examples
Ways it can harm you
Physical
Hazards that are caused
by environmental factors
Cold exposure
Cold exposure can cause
hypothermia, frostbite, etc
UV radiation
Chemical
Biological
Ergonomic
Noise
Noise can cause temporary or
chronic deafness and tinnitus
Heat exposure
Heat exposure can cause fainting
heat exhaustion heat stroke etc
A hazard from a solid,
liquid or gas of natural
or unnatural origin
Using fertiliser
A bacterium, virus or
fungus that can enter the
body
Handling sheep
Hazards caused by
moving loads handling
animals and slips and
falls
UV radiation can cause eye
problems, eg cataracts and skin
problems such as sunspots,
carcinomas and melanomas
Use of pesticides
Chemicals, such as fertiliser and
pesticides, can cause headaches,
nausea chronic illness cancer etc
Working with dogs,
dog bites
Livestock and dogs carry diseases
that can be transmitted to humans;
these are called zoonoses and
include Q fever, scabby mouth and
hydatid disease and tetanus
Handling heavy
objects
Back injuries or other strains
sprains
Handling cattle
Sharp objects
Handling sheep
Lacerations, bruising, broken
bones, crush injuries
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© NSW DET 2007
Handling cattle
Electromechanical
Hazards caused by
moving machinery or
electric machinery
Driving cars
Psychosocial
Hazards that affect how
we feel about ourselves
Aggressive clients
Physical and psychological abuse
Unfair work
expectations
Negative stress, ineffective work
performance
Riding ATVs
Cuts, bruises, fractures, strains,
crush wounds etc
Part 3
a. Your answer could include contracting diseases from cattle (zoonoses), for example Q
Fever, tetanus.
b. Your answer could include vaccination and good personal hygiene.
c. See answers in table below.
Hazard or
hazardous
activity
Risks
Potential
consequences
Control measures
Driving on a
gravel road
Accident with vehicle,
lacerations, broken bones,
death
First aid treatment
Driver training for
agency staff
Significant time off work
and, in some cases, death
Appropriate well
maintained vehicles for
driving on gravel roads
Adequate time allocated
for travelling to
inspection
Communication strategy
so that other staff and
client know expected
travel times and can
instigate an emergency
response in the event of
an accident.
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© NSW DET 2007