When working outdoors, especially in warmer weather, the chances of encountering a snake is quite common.
Ensure that you are adequately protected from snakes, and aware of proper safety procedures when encountering and/or dealing with a snake.
Protect Yourself
When working in areas prone to snakes, workers should wear personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect themselves against the hazards associated with snakes.
PPE should include high visibility apparel, and gloves. Always wear long pants and protective footwear.
Be Prepared
When working outdoors, it is important to be prepared for safety emergencies.
- Ensure that first aid kits are readily available when working in the field. Be sure that your first aid kit includes compression bandages.
- Make sure that you have means of reliable communication (i.e. cell phone, radio, etc.)
- Know the types of snakes native to the area in which you are working
First Aid for Snake Bites
If a snake bite does occur, the bitten person should remain as still as possible- immobilisation is important to impede the venom (if applicable) from spreading.
- Remain calm. Move out of the snake’s striking distance.
- Encourage the bitten person to remain still and calm
- Compress the wound
- Call for medical assistance
- Apply pressure immobilisation bandage and immobilise the limb. Keep the bite at or below the level of the bitten person’s heart
- Support the area of the bite
- Do NOT wipe any venom from the bite (it can be used to identify the snake). If possible, try to make note of the colour and shape of the snake, so you can identify it.
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