Snakes in the workplace
admin • December 15, 2025
Snakes are a natural part of the Australian environment, but when they enter worksites, they can pose significant risks. Snakes are most commonly encountered in industries such as construction and agriculture, but snakes can appear in any workplace – including in offices, warehouses, outdoor work areas, or storage spaces. Warm weather increases snake activity, making encounters more likely during summer months.
The danger presented by snakes is very real, as snakebites can cause serious injury or death.
Common Risk Factors
There are certain workplace conditions which increase the likelihood of snakes appearing:
- Vacant sites: Snakes often move into quiet areas during holiday breaks or weekends.
- Shelter opportunities: Stored materials, rubble, sheds, and equipment provide dark, cool hiding spots.
- Food sources: Mice, frogs, and other small animals attract snakes to worksites.
- Hot weather: Snakes become bolder and more active in summer.
Prevention Strategies
As always, employers are required to reduce risks to health and safety in the workplace. They can do this by adopting proactive measures:
- Site housekeeping: Remove rubbish, debris, and unused materials where snakes could hide.
- Control food sources: Limit rodent and frog populations by managing waste and water.
- Protective gear: Wear gloves, boots and long pants when working outside or handling stored materials.
- Awareness training: Inform workers about snake risks, especially after site closures or during hot weather.
- First Aid training: ensure staff are trained in the initial response in the case of a bite.
If a snake is seen in the workplace
One of the most important safety messages is never provoke a snake. Most bites occur when people attempt to attack or handle snakes. If a snake is sighted:
- Stop work in the area immediately.
- Report the sighting to supervisors.
- Contact local authorities or licensed snake catchers to remove the hazard.
First Aid for Snake Bites
Your workplace should have a trained First Aider. The initial first aid for a bite should include:
- Lie the person down and keep them still.
- Applying a broad, firm bandage around the bitten limb, about as tightly as for a sprained ankle.
- Bandage over the bite site first and then bandage as much of the limb as possible, starting from below upwards.
- Keep the victim still and calm and splint the limb if possible.
- Do not cut, wash, or apply a tourniquet to the bite.
- Access immediate medical care - dial 000.
Don’t forget that you will need to complete an incident report after a snake bite has occurred. Then, your risk management follow up processes should be followed.
A snake bite may be classified as a notifiable incident, in which case it must be reported to WorkSafe Victoria – call 13 23 60.
Conclusion
Snakes are a real workplace hazard, especially in construction, agriculture, and outdoor industries. If your workplace is high risk for snakes then you are required to control the risk of snake bite.
- Prevention and awareness are the best defence: keep sites clean, reduce food sources, and train workers.
- Never provoke a snake—leave removal to professionals.
- First aid knowledge can save lives in the event of a bite.
By treating snakes as a legitimate occupational hazard, workplaces can protect their workers from a potentially fatal hazard.
For more information, see the following resources:
Snakes at work: why you should never handle one yourself | WorkSafe.qld.gov.au
Notifiable incidents under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 | WorkSafe Victoria
https://stjohn.org.au/app/uploads/2025/08/Fact-sheets_snake-bite.pdf
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Maintaining a safe workplace is a legal and moral obligation. One of the most powerful tools available to workers, specifically Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs), is the Provisional Improvement Notice (PIN) . Used correctly, PINs can quickly resolve safety issues and ensure compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic) . There have been recent changes made to the PIN notice and we recommend that HSRs now use the new version. Summary of NEW Changes: Part 5 has been modified to include tick boxes for each of OHS Act, OHS regulations or the Psychological Health Regulations to be selected by the HSR Part 6 has been modified to include whether the safety issue is a contravention relating to a physical or psychological hazard What is a PIN? A Provisional Improvement Notice (PIN) is a formal written notice issued by an HSR to address a workplace health and safety issue. It is used when consultation with the employer has failed to resolve a problem. *In Victoria, an HSR can issue a PIN whether or not they have completed an HSR training course. This is different to other jurisdictions. Under Victorian law, an HSR can issue a PIN if they believe, on reasonable grounds, that: A provision of the OHS Act or regulations is being breached, or A breach has occurred and is likely to continue or happen again The purpose of a PIN is simple: To require action to fix a safety problem and prevent harm to workers. It is a legal document which the employer must respond to. Who Can Issue a PIN? Health and Safety Representative (HSR)’s can issue a PIN. *Don’t forget that Victorian HSRs can issue a PIN even if they haven’t yet had the opportunity to get into a 5 Day Initial OHS Training Course. (Although obviously HSRs are best to complete their training as soon as possible so that they can fully understand the OHS Act and their role.) An HSR must: Represent a designated work group (DWG) Have reasonable grounds to believe a breach exists Consult with the employer first before issuing the notice When Should a PIN Be Used? A PIN should be used as a last resort, after attempts to resolve the issue through consultation have failed. An HSR can choose to issue a PIN notice if the duty holder is contravening any provision of the OHS Act or any of the Regulations, or if the duty holder is believed to have been in contravention and it is likely that the contravention will continue or be repeated. But, they must have first consulted with the duty holder. Remember that for immediate or serious risks , a PIN may not be appropriate. In those cases, an HSR can direct work to cease under the Act. How to Issue a PIN 1. Identify the Issue Clearly identify the hazard or breach of the OHS Act or Regulations. 2. Consult with the Employer Before issuing a PIN, the HSR must consult with the employer or the person responsible and give them a chance to fix the problem. Where such consultations are ineffective, the employer refuses to consult and / or the HSR believes that the safety issue will continue, then the HSR may issue a PIN. 3. Complete the PIN It is not compulsory to use the WorkSafe Victoria PIN form, but it does make life easier. You can find it here: Provisional-improvement-notice-form-2026-05.pdf A valid PIN must include: Section 1 – fill out the details of the elected HSR under the OHS act (or the elected deputy HSR if the HSR is unavailable) Section 2 – fill out the details of the duty holder. Most commonly, this will be your employer. Section 3 – tick that you have consulted with your employer or their representative prior to issuing the PIN. It is a good idea to keep a written record of the consultation or attempted consultation. Section 4 – fill out the details of the person (employer representative) to whom you are giving the PIN. Section 5 – fill out which sections of The Act or The Regulations are believed to have been contravened. You can only include one health and safety issue on a PIN notice. If there are more than one, you will need to issue a separate PIN notice for each issue. Tick the box to make clear if the contravention relates to the OHS Act, the OHS Regulations or the Psychological Regulations. Section 6 – provide detail of the contravention. Include the site location ie: the actual area of the workplace where you believe the contravention to be occurring. State whether the PIN relates to a physical or psychological hazard. Section 7 – optional – you may fill out suggestions as to how the safety issue can be fixed if you wish, but this is not required. Section 8 – sign and date the form. Provide a compliance date that is AT LEAST 8 days after the PIN issue date. Make sure the timeframe is reasonable. 4. Issue the Notice The PIN must be delivered to the person you state in Section 4. It can be delivered in person, by post or other formal delivery methods. Don't forget to keep a copy of the PIN for your own records. What Happens After a PIN Is Issued? Once a PIN is issued, the recipient has legal obligations. They must: Bring the notice to the attention of their employer (if the person is an employee). Bring the notice to the attention of persons whose work is affected by the notice, including informing affected workers. Display the PIN in a prominent place in the workplace. Fix the issue by the specified compliance date. Failure to comply is an offence under the OHS Act , and penalties may apply. Can the duty holder dispute the PIN? If the employer (or recipient) disagrees with the PIN, they can contact WorkSafe Victoria and request an inspector review within 7 days of receiving the PIN. If no review is requested within 7 days, the PIN remains legally enforceable. What does an HSR do if the employer does not comply? If the employer has not complied with the PIN within the specified timeframe or if the employer’s intention is not to comply, then the HSR can call WorkSafe Advisory Service and arrange for an inspector to visit the workplace. The inspector can then: Confirm the PIN Modify it Cancel it Support and Advice If you need support and advice on how to issue a PIN, you can contact: WorkSafe Advisory 1800136089 WorkSafe HSR Support Officers HSRSO@worksafe.vic.gov.au Your Union BeSafe Victoria info@besafevictoria.com.au PINs are an important mechanism for preventing injuries and saving lives . They are a powerful and practical tool in Victoria’s workplace safety system. For HSRs, understanding when and how to use a PIN is essential. For employers, knowing how to respond to PINs promptly and effectively is vital. If you need training to understand more, contact us: info@besafevictoria.com.au 0467002060