Elephants Elephants - Wildpro - Twycross Zoo

6.3 Appendix 3: Risk Assessments 1
The following should be taken in to account if risk assessments are carried out
for each keeper for each elephant. A complete list of jobs (tasks) and
environmental factors should be compiled which would include:
• Off chains: handling/leading/walking
• Off chains: washing
• Chaining
• On chains administering an injection
• On chains blood sampling
• Off chains walking
• Gates and gate controls
• Equipment a materials which would be used
• Cover and environmental enrichment features
• Temporary features
• Zoonotic risks
It is important that all hazards are recognised so that any risk assessment is
complete. In carrying out the risk assessment the following questions must be
addressed:
• Who might be affected
• How serious might the outcome of any incident be
• How likely is it that an incident may occur
• What controls do we have in place now
Whilst many organisations apply numerical risk factors to risks, what is more
important is that:
• Sensible controls to eliminate or reduce risk are applied
• Controls take into account the ability and knowledge of the individuals
carrying out the work
• Everyone concerned is aware of the risks and the controls
Risk assessments for any public/elephant contact also need to be carried out.
Areas to be considered are:
• Separation of public from elephants
• Which elephants can participate
• Disease risks elephant/public and pubic/elephant
• List possible contact risk areas
• Staff numbers and level of staff which must be present
1 The section on risk assessments has been review and updated after taking advice from H&S
experts.
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