Venomous Snakes is a 23-minute online course that trains employees to identify the major venomous snake species in the United States, understand snake behavior, take preventive measures to avoid encounters, and respond appropriately if a bite occurs. It is designed for outdoor workers in construction, utilities, agriculture, landscaping, and environmental services and includes a downloadable certificate of completion.
The CDC estimates that approximately 7,000 to 8,000 venomous snakebites occur in the United States each year, resulting in approximately 5 deaths annually. Workers in outdoor occupations face significantly elevated risk, particularly in construction, utility maintenance, agriculture, landscaping, oil and gas, and environmental fieldwork. OSHA has cited the General Duty Clause in cases where employers failed to train outdoor workers on wildlife hazards in areas with known venomous snake populations. The average cost of treating a venomous snakebite, including antivenom and hospitalization, ranges from $100,000 to over $300,000.
This course prepares your outdoor workers to identify the four major groups of venomous snakes in the United States (rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths/water moccasins, and coral snakes), recognize the habitats and conditions where encounters are most likely, take practical preventive measures to reduce bite risk, and respond correctly if a bite occurs. The training emphasizes that venomous snakes play an important ecological role and that avoidance rather than confrontation is always the safest approach.
While no specific OSHA standard addresses venomous snake hazards, the General Duty Clause (Section 5(a)(1)) requires employers to protect workers from recognized serious hazards in the workplace, and OSHA has applied this provision to outdoor work environments where venomous snakes are a known risk. OSHA's guidance on outdoor work hazards recommends that employers train workers to recognize and avoid venomous wildlife, provide appropriate PPE such as snake-resistant boots and gaiters, and ensure first aid supplies and emergency response plans are available on remote work sites. Employers in states with high venomous snake populations, including Texas, Florida, Georgia, Arizona, and the Carolinas, face particular exposure. Workers' compensation claims for snakebites can exceed $300,000 in medical costs alone, making prevention training a sound investment.
| Team Size | Price per Person |
|---|---|
| 1 - 9 | $24.95 |
| 10 - 24 | $19.95 |
| 25 - 49 | $17.95 |
| 50 - 99 | $17.50 |
Certificate of completion included. Downloadable upon passing the final assessment.