Working near or with crocodiles
Businesses working with crocodiles in captivity within Queensland perform a diverse range of different activities including the display, feeding, capture, measuring, transportation and processing of crocodiles.
The crocodile industry includes companies, businesses and individuals working in:
- wildlife parks and zoos;
- crocodile farms;
- universities and other research institutions.
Understanding crocodile behaviour will assist in decreasing the risk of a crocodile attack, however, crocodiles are instinctive predators and can still be unpredictable animals.
As a minimum control measure, any person working near unrestrained crocodiles over 1500 mm in length should be accompanied by another competent worker who acts as spotter and guard.
A system of exclusion zones has been developed for working near and with crocodiles. Crocodile enclosures and pens should be designed with maintenance requirements in mind. As a general rule, if work can be performed from outside of a crocodile enclosure it should be. If this can not be achieved then isolate the crocodile or crocodiles in a separate section of the pen or enclosure. Isolation will usually require built-in features such as gates, fencing or other barriers.
If workers are required to enter the pen or enclosure and crocodiles cannot be isolated, then competent spotters should be used to inform workers of crocodile movement and to distract crocodiles if necessary.
The following should be considered to ensure the risk of entry to enclosures at the workplace is managed:
- the risk of crocodile attack has been minimised
- the person entering is a competent worker or if a worker is receiving training they are accompanied by a competent worker
- the person has received an induction to the workplace
- the person entering has completed an extensive formal on the job training program for entering the enclosure and performing the task while in the enclosure
- the person is considerably experienced in entering enclosures and performing the required task
- the person is supervised by the employer if competent or other nominated competent person
- clear instruction has been given regarding the task to be performed while in the enclosure
- the instructions are understood and the worker has agreed to conform to all safety directions given by the employer or representative while in the enclosure
Under no circumstances should any workers come into physical contact with a crocodile of a length greater than 1500mm, which has not had its jaws restrained.
Children, generally, should not enter an enclosure. A child's reflexes, depth perception and ability to react in an emergency are far less well developed than an adult's. The only exception is where the child's presence is part of a long term structured training program which recognises and takes into account the physical and mental limitations of the child. Safety controls must ensure that the child is closely supervised at all times. A child who does not have appropriately developed physical and mental capacities should never be placed in a situation where an unrestrained crocodile could come into physical contact with the child. Generally such capacities are not present in a child under the age of 15.
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