Accidents and Incidents 4 of 8
Bites and Stings
Minimise Risks
- A thorough pre-work site assessment is required to inform the SWMS
- Daily inspection: walk through the work site identifying any hazards
- Identify any pre-existing staff allergies and ensure suitable medication is available
- Eliminate risks eg: remove debris, treatment of European Wasp nests, reaching into unknown areas with hands and feet is to be avoided
- Specific detail and best practice information can be found in the WGCMA Guidance Note “Working in Snake Habitat and Snake Bites – available from WGCMA Project Coordinator.
Snakes
If you are managing risk at a WGCMA worksite and have assessed that work will occur where there is a high probability of snakes on site and the area or activity cannot avoid this location then:
- Staff must wear appropriate leg gaiters designed for reducing snake bite impacts and this needs to be reflected in the SWMS
- Communications must be considered – if phone coverage is not easily available then other methods need to be arranged:
- Inreach devices
- Radios
- Satellite phones
- Trained first-aid responders and first aid kits appropriate for snakebite treatment must be available and carried
- Importantly, if the risk/s cannot be managed through avoidance or the use of PPE to a managed level, the activity should NOT proceed until this can be done.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Wear heavy duty footwear, gaiters, pants and long sleeve shirts at all times in high risk areas – prevent gaps in clothing and protective equipment
- Carry snake bandages, (broad crepe bandage and 2 x pressure bandages) when working away from vehicle
- Gloves must be worn when hands may be at risk of being bitten.
