Workplace Snakebite Training: Practise PIT at Remote Australian Sites
Call 000, keep the person perfectly still, and apply a pressure immobilisation bandage to the bitten limb, as ANZCOR guidance directs. Do not cut, suck or wash the bite, and never use a tourniquet. If the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, start CPR straight away.
TL;DR:
ANZCOR favors 10–15 cm elasticized bandages, or crepe as a fallback; wrap from fingers or toes upward, splint the limb, and leave it in place.
Outdoor and remote sites need a heavy duty 10 cm crepe bandage, plus communication devices when ambulance response may be slow.
HLTAID011 is the workplace baseline, while remote or isolated sites should consider HLTAID013; roster trained first aiders on every shift and practise bandaging in scenarios.
After a bite, record when it happened and when bandaging began, document symptoms and treatment, then investigate, report where required, and update training.
Table of Contents
What should you do step by step after a suspected snake bite at work?
Every suspected bite is a medical emergency, so healthdirect treats it that way from the first minute. Work through these steps in order:
Move away from the snake, then bring help and equipment to the person rather than asking them to walk.
Call 000 (or 112) and say “suspected snake bite”.
Keep the person calm and still, with the bitten limb immobilised.
Apply the pressure immobilisation bandage (covered in the next section).
Write down the time of the bite and the time the bandage went on.
Watch breathing closely and start CPR if the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally.
On that last step, ANZCOR states there is zero risk of venom transmission to a rescuer during CPR, and CPR must not be delayed.
Make sure everyone on site knows what not to do:
No cutting or sucking the bite.
No washing the site, because venom residue helps the hospital identify the snake.
No tourniquets.
No attempts to catch or kill the snake.
How do you apply a pressure immobilisation bandage correctly?
The pressure immobilisation technique (PIT) aims to stop venom entering the lymphatic system. ANZCOR Guideline 9.4.8 prefers 10–15 cm wide elasticised bandages, with crepe as the fallback. The steps are straightforward, but the execution is where people slip:
Start at the fingers or toes and bandage upward to cover the whole limb, including the bite site.
Make it firm, but not so tight that circulation stops.
Splint the limb so it cannot move, without disturbing the bandage.
Leave the bandage on until medical staff take over.
Pro Tip: Practise on a colleague’s arm and leg during every refresher. Bandaging under stress, on a real limb, feels very different from reading the steps.
The mistakes we see most often are partial coverage, too little pressure and unwrapping early. ANZCOR also notes that correct application is hard for untrained people, which is why hands-on practice matters more than theory. Technique variations exist, so train your people in the protocol your state and employer recommend.
What should a snake-ready first aid kit contain?
Standard kits are often not snake-bite ready. The Safe Work Australia Model Code of Practice calls for a risk-based assessment and recommends a heavy-duty 10 cm crepe bandage, plus extras such as a thermal blanket, torch and whistle where work is outdoor or remote. For a snake-prone site, we suggest:
Heavy-duty 10 cm crepe bandages, or 10–15 cm elasticised bandages, enough for more than one patient.
Splints or rigid supports.
A thermal blanket and clean sheeting.
A torch and a whistle.
Long-range communication devices where ambulance response will be slow.
Written PIT instructions and a card for recording times.
Label the kit as snake-bite ready and store it where every shift can reach it. Our guide to first aid kit requirements for Australian workplaces walks through what an audit expects.
Who needs training, and which units fit the risk?
Your risk assessment sets the answer, and our four-step first aid risk assessment is a practical place to start. For most workplaces, HLTAID011 (Provide First Aid) is the baseline. Remote and isolated sites should consider HLTAID013, and the national training package also lists VU23620 Provide initial first aid for snake bites as a defined snake-bite unit.
Train enough first aiders to cover every shift, with more where sites are remote or hazards are high, as Safe Work Australia suggests.
Refresh CPR and first aid regularly, following the applicable training requirements.
Use scenario-based practice with site-specific situations, and assess bandage technique, not just knowledge.
Pro Tip: Roster first aiders across shifts and publish who they are. A trained person on days does nothing for a night crew.
Our WHS first aid duties for remote sites article explains how coverage and duties fit together.
How can you reduce the chance of snake encounters on site?
Prevention starts with knowing where snakes shelter: long grass, leaf litter, water edges and sheds. Then act on it:
Keep work areas tidy and clear vegetation from walkways.
Light night work areas and define safe routes between them.
Store food and waste securely so rodents, and the snakes that follow them, stay away.
Require boots and long trousers in snake-prone areas.
Cover snakes in site inductions and toolbox talks, and use a permit-to-work approach for high-risk tasks.
Safety planning works best when it is broad. Our partners at Niche Projects cover similar ground in their fire safety checks for office fitouts, and the same habit of systematic site checks applies outdoors.
What should you record and review after a snake bite incident?
Good records help clinicians and keep you compliant. Capture:
The time of the bite and the time the bandage was applied.
What the person was doing and where it happened.
Symptoms and every first aid measure used.
A photo of the site, if it is safe to take one.
Then meet your WHS duties: notify the regulator where required, investigate the incident, consult workers on corrective actions, and update the first aid plan and training schedule. Follow medical advice on return to work, keep communication open with the person, and book refresher training after an incident.
Why does hands-on, customised training matter?
Applying a bandage correctly while someone is frightened and in pain is hard, and ANZCOR’s own guidance says as much. Scenario practice is the answer. We tailor courses to your hazards, from remote mine sites to night works, using trainers with industry-relevant experience. Our custom first aid training process moves from risk to delivery, with mobile on-site and online options and prompt certification.
Where the standard advice falls short
Most employer advice on snakes stops at “keep a bandage in the kit”. That is the weakest part of a response plan. A bandage in a cupboard helps no one if nobody can apply it, if the kit is locked away at night, or if the crew believes a few myths about cutting and sucking. In my judgement, the priority order should be people first, then kit, then paperwork.
Start by training enough people, on every shift, to apply PIT confidently and call for help without hesitation. Next, check your kit and communications against your longest realistic ambulance wait. Only then polish the policy documents. Prevention matters too, but no amount of slashing grass guarantees a snake never reaches your site, so response capability is what you are really buying.
The other overrated idea is certification as the finish line. A certificate shows someone completed training, but skills can fade, so practise regularly.
— Vapour
Book practical snakebite-aware first aid with Prime First Aid and Training
We can build training around your site and your roster.
We deliver on site, including remote locations, with flexible scheduling and prompt certification. Contact us for a custom quote, or book online.
This article is general information, not a substitute for advice from a qualified doctor. Consult a qualified healthcare professional about your own circumstances before acting on anything here.
FAQ
What are the guidelines for managing snake bites in Australia?
Call 000, keep the person still and apply a pressure immobilisation bandage over the whole limb. ANZCOR Guideline 9.4.1 also stresses that the person should not walk, so bring help to them.
What should I never do after a snake bite?
Do not cut, suck or wash the bite, and do not apply a tourniquet. Washing removes venom residue that hospitals use to identify the snake.
How much does a snake handling course cost?
We do not offer this course. For first aid, HLTAID011 costs $240 and HLTAID013 costs $400, both one-off.
Do first aiders need training specifically for snake bites?
Core first aid units cover pressure immobilisation, and the national package also lists a dedicated snake-bite unit. Hands-on practice matters either way, because the technique is difficult to apply without it.
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