Top 3 places to look for snakes at a construction site

Outdoor jobsites are more likely to encounter venomous snakes. Specifically, construction workers are one of the top occupations most likely to encounter or get bitten by a venomous snake. It is important to treat the possibility of a snakebite as a workplace hazard. To be prepared, identify hotspots around the workplace. These are the top 3 places to look for snakes at a construction site:

1. Under pipes, stockpiles, rubble, building material, tiles, metal sheeting. Snakes prefer to be under something as this provides safety and shelter from predators.
2. Sites that have been vacant for several days. Snakes may be attracted to areas that offer warmth, food or shelter. If the jobsite has been vacant, they may not sense human presence.
3. Areas with high grass or rocky outcrops. Snakes will often move through high grass, since they are well hidden and unlikely to be found by a predator. During the summer months, summer months

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The best way to prevent snakes from visiting your site is to keep a tidy yard and ensure rubbish and discarded materials do not pile up. It’s a good idea to ensure everyone is aware of the potential for increased snake activity after a long weekend or holiday break when the site has been quiet for some time.

If you see a snake, stay clam and move away from the area slowly. Report the snake to a safety manager. We recommend that facilities that operate near venomous snake habitat have a trained team member that can properly move venomous snakes. 

Prairie Rattlesnake, under construction debris. Photo copyright, Adaptation Environmental

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