With the weather today looking pretty miserable, it’s hard to imagine it’s already the second week of Spring. But don’t let that fool you. A local Adelaide snake catcher has already reported of an eastern brown snake being removed from a backyard in Flagstaff Hill, south of Adelaide last week.
So it’s probably a timely reminder, to discuss the dangers of working outdoors, in Australia, during warmer weather, and snake safety.
Snakes are masters of camouflage and can be difficult to spot when working outdoors (the video below is a great example of their stealth). Therefore snake awareness is paramount to working safely outdoors. The best way to prevent snakes in the workplace is to limit what attracts them. Snakes are attracted to properties or areas looking for food or water as well as habitats they can hide in.
Snake safety in your workplace may include:
- Undertaking snake awareness training
- Clearing long grass, vegetation and rubbish from around the workplace
- Maintaining general cleanliness to reduce rodents and other potential food sources
- Providing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) to be worn when working outdoors
NEVER EVER approach a snake and NEVER attempt to catch, kill or harm a snake. If you come across a snake in the workplace, for the safety of yourself and others, contact a professional snake catcher, who can relocate the snake safely.
If you’re a bit squeamish with snakes, maybe don’t watch this video below.