Zoo Animal Care Risk Assessment

Typical hazards & measures

• Manual handling injuries — Train staff in proper lifting techniques and use of lifting aids where possible. Implement team lifting for heavy loads. Regularly assess tasks to reduce strain and prevent repetitive motion injuries. Provide ergonomic equipment and encourage rest breaks.
• Stress in animals from handling — Train staff in low-stress handling techniques. Minimize unnecessary handling by using remote monitoring and medical training methods. Ensure enclosures have hiding spaces to reduce anxiety. Develop handling protocols for each species.
• Slips, trips, and falls — Maintain clean and dry walkways. Use non-slip flooring materials in high-risk areas. Conduct regular inspections to identify and address hazards. Provide staff training on safe movement practices and proper footwear.
• Hazardous waste exposure — Implement strict protocols for the disposal of animal waste, medical supplies, and cleaning chemicals. Train staff on handling biohazard materials safely. Provide appropriate PPE and secure waste disposal containers. Conduct regular audits for compliance.
• Enrichment-related injuries — Design enrichment devices and activities that are safe and appropriate for each species. Supervise initial interactions with new enrichment items. Regularly assess and modify enrichment strategies based on animal behavior and feedback.