Reptile Awareness & Safety

It’s that time of the year, the temperature begins to soar as does the risk and boldness of reptiles. They are looking for shelter in cool, dark, protected areas such as under sheds, rubble, stored materials, plant and equipment.

At Douglas OHI our teams across the business provide informative and engaging reptile awareness session which covering the following areas.

Where reptiles may hide

• Our workplace includes many such places like pipes, scaffolding tubes, beneath cabins as well as shoes and boxes.

Watch your step and your reach

• Never place your hands or arms into areas blindly.
• Never attempt to grab and/or pick up a snake. They will most likely strike at you!
• Always wear the correct PPE, such as eye protection, gloves, closed-toe boots and long trousers.
• Keep pedestrian and work areas clear of debris.

How to check the things before use

• Reptiles don’t like noise and vibration, so you should make some noise and use a stick to shake the shoes or boxes.

What to do if someone is bitten by a snake?

• The most important thing is the victim should remain calm, relaxed, and fearless otherwise it will increase the blood flow and the heart rate resulting in the rapid spread of venom.
• The affected part of the victim should move as little as possible.
• If moving the victim, try to keep the affected area below the level of the heart.
• Using a bandage or clean cloth, wrap the wound lose enough to insert a finger, and wrap it up until it is covered.
• Do not use ice on the wound because it might increase the damage.
• Do not suck the venom, because it will poison the helper.
• Do not eat or drink alcohol or caffeine as it increases the heart rate and blood flow.
• Do not cut the wound as it will increase the chance for infection.
• Remove any tight clothes, rings, and watches from the affected body part or on the wound itself, otherwise, it might cause swelling.

For more information, please contact hsse@douglasohi.com.