How to deal with snakes at your work site

Snakes often go into hibernation during the colder months, but in more temperate climates such as along Australia's coast, they may take shelter when it is cold and come out during warmer days.

In warmer areas near the coast night time roads can often provide the heat snakes need to keep warm. This makes it important to keep an eye out for these crawling creatures when you are putting up traffic signs or performing any tasks that might disrupt a snake.

Most snakes prefer to retreat rather than attack however accidents do happen so it pays to take a cautious approach.

Remember, it is illegal to kill or capture a snake in Australia. If you find one on your work​ site, it is best to make a note of the location and isolate the area until the snake has been removed.

Contact the parks and wildlife service in your area and follow the prompts they give you to get rid of the snake.

How to prevent snakes from coming into your workplace

There are several steps you can take while completing road works that may help discourage snakes from entering the site. 

Make sure you minimise the amount of food sources that may attract snakes. This means removing any items that could attract rodents and frogs.

Snakes may also take shelter in rubbish or other piles of material, so remove these obstacles to reduce the risk of a snake taking up residence. 

When moving any items that may be concealing a snake, it is important to take precautions such as wearing gloves and boots. Remain wary and be on the lookout for them. 

How to treat a snakebite on the job

If someone on your staff is bitten by a snake, it is important you treat it as a serious incident. Although the vast majority of bites aren't dangerous, it is best to take all precautions.

Make sure you don't chase the snake as there is no need to retrieve it. Medical staff can use the venom lingering on the skin to determine which kind of snake was responsible for the bite, and then use an appropriate anti venom if required.

Pressure Immobilisation techniques are recommended for the most life threatening venomous bites and stings in Australia.

This involves placing a broad pressure bandage over the bite site as soon as possible. Do not take any clothing off as this can make the venom move further into the blood stream.

Keep the patient and their affected limb as still as possible and place a bandage upwards from the lower portion of the bitten limb. The bandage needs to be tied as tight as you would for a sprained ankle and should reach as high up as possible on the limb.

Wait for help from an ambulance, as all snake bites need to be seen by a professional medical team.