Q fever as a hazard in the workplace

admin • November 17, 2025

Q fever is a serious but preventable disease that affects people working with animals or animal products. Protecting yourself and your workplace requires awareness, vaccination, and safe practices.


What is Q Fever?

Q fever is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii. It primarily affects people who work with animals such as cattle, sheep, and goats, or handle animal products like hides, wool, and meat. The bacteria can survive in dust and soil for long periods, making it easy to spread in agricultural and processing environments.


Who is at Risk?

Certain industries and roles face higher exposure:

  • Farmers, shearers, and abattoir workers
  • Veterinarians and animal handlers
  • Meat and dairy processors
  • Laboratory staff working with animal samples
  • Workers at stockyards, animal transport, in shearing sheds etc
  • Any workers in animal facilities

Even visitors to farms or facilities can be at risk if proper precautions aren’t taken.



How do you get Q Fever?

Q fever can he transmitted through aerosols, dust or through contaminated animal products.

For example:

  • Through animal tissues, such as when birthing, slaughtering or butchering
  • Through faeces, urine and placentas
  • From contaminated wool, hides, animal bedding, or equipment
  • When breathing in dust infected by animals, including when mustering, transporting or shearing
  • When slashing contaminated grasses or handling contaminated soil or hay
  • By drinking unpasteurised milk which is infected
  • By touching infected tissues or fluids when you have a cut or broken skin


What are the signs of Q Fever?

Q fever causes an illness which can last for up to 6 weeks, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe. Common symptoms include:

  • High fever and chills
  • Severe headaches
  • Muscle pain and fatigue
  • Sweats and weight loss
  • Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea
  • In some cases, pneumonia or hepatitis

However, some people don’t recover, and they can develop a chronic illness which can last for months or years. Chronic Q fever is rare, but when it does happen, it can lead to long-term complications such as heart valve infections and infections of the bones and joints, as well as vascular disease. Up to 15% of infected people will experience sever fatigue which can last for years and is extremely debilitating.


Preventing Q Fever

Prevention is the best protection. Key strategies include:

  • Vaccination: The Q fever vaccine is highly effective but requires pre-screening to avoid adverse reactions. Pre-screening will identify those who have been previously exposed or have been previously vaccinated for Q fever.
  • Safe Work Practices:

Minimise dust in animal handling areas.

Use protective clothing and masks (PPE).

Practice good hygiene, including handwashing after contact with animals.

  • Education and Awareness: Employers should train workers on risks and prevention measures.
  • Health Monitoring: Encourage workers to report symptoms early for timely medical intervention.

 

Employer Responsibilities

Employers have a duty to provide a safe workplace. If there may be a risk of exposure to Q Fever in their workplace, this includes:

  • Offering vaccination programs
  • Implementing dust control measures
  • Providing personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • Ensuring staff are informed about Q fever risks and prevention
  • Identification of high-risk areas of the workplace
  • Having a workplace Q fever policy

As with all workplace hazards, the employer has a duty to provide a safe workplace and to control risks to health as far as reasonably practicable. They also have a duty to consult with their employees and their health and safety representatives (HSRs). This includes during the hazard identification process, which making decisions on how to control risks, and when monitoring how the control measures are working.


Building a Safer Future

Q fever is preventable, but only if workplaces and individuals take proactive steps. Vaccination, hygiene, and awareness are the cornerstones of prevention. For those working with animals or animal products, staying informed and protected is not just about personal health—it’s about safeguarding the entire community.


Q fever is a workplace hazard that demands attention. With vaccination and safe practices, we can protect workers, families, and communities from this hidden threat.


More information on Q fever can be found at Q fever | Better Health Channel or at Preventing Q fever | WorkSafe Victoria

Snakes in the workplace

By admin • December 15, 2025
Snakes are a natural part of the Australian environment, but when they enter worksites, they can pose significant risks. Snakes are most commonly encountered in industries such as construction and agriculture, but snakes can appear in any workplace – including in offices, warehouses, outdoor work areas, or storage spaces. Warm weather increases snake activity, making encounters more likely during summer months. The danger presented by snakes is very real, as snakebites can cause serious injury or death. Common Risk Factors There are certain workplace conditions which increase the likelihood of snakes appearing: Vacant sites : Snakes often move into quiet areas during holiday breaks or weekends. Shelter opportunities : Stored materials, rubble, sheds, and equipment provide dark, cool hiding spots. Food sources : Mice, frogs, and other small animals attract snakes to worksites. Hot weather : Snakes become bolder and more active in summer. Prevention Strategies As always, employers are required to reduce risks to health and safety in the workplace. They can do this by adopting proactive measures: Site housekeeping : Remove rubbish, debris, and unused materials where snakes could hide. Control food sources : Limit rodent and frog populations by managing waste and water. Protective gear : Wear gloves, boots and long pants when working outside or handling stored materials. Awareness training : Inform workers about snake risks, especially after site closures or during hot weather. First Aid training: ensure staff are trained in the initial response in the case of a bite. If a snake is seen in the workplace One of the most important safety messages is never provoke a snake. Most bites occur when people attempt to attack or handle snakes. If a snake is sighted: Stop work in the area immediately. Report the sighting to supervisors. Contact local authorities or licensed snake catchers to remove the hazard. First Aid for Snake Bites Your workplace should have a trained First Aider. The initial first aid for a bite should include: Lie the person down and keep them still. Applying a broad, firm bandage around the bitten limb, about as tightly as for a sprained ankle. Bandage over the bite site first and then bandage as much of the limb as possible, starting from below upwards. Keep the victim still and calm and splint the limb if possible. Do not cut, wash, or apply a tourniquet to the bite. Access immediate medical care - dial 000. Don’t forget that you will need to complete an incident report after a snake bite has occurred. Then, your risk management follow up processes should be followed. A snake bite may be classified as a notifiable incident, in which case it must be reported to WorkSafe Victoria – call 13 23 60 . Conclusion Snakes are a real workplace hazard , especially in construction, agriculture, and outdoor industries. If your workplace is high risk for snakes then you are required to control the risk of snake bite. Prevention and awareness are the best defence: keep sites clean, reduce food sources, and train workers. Never provoke a snake —leave removal to professionals. First aid knowledge can save lives in the event of a bite. By treating snakes as a legitimate occupational hazard, workplaces can protect their workers from a potentially fatal hazard. For more information, see the following resources: Snakes at work: why you should never handle one yourself | WorkSafe.qld.gov.au Snakes on sites - OHS Reps Notifiable incidents under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 | WorkSafe Victoria https://stjohn.org.au/app/uploads/2025/08/Fact-sheets_snake-bite.pdf

Controlling the risk of Sun Exposure

By admin • December 15, 2025
Sun exposure is one of the most underestimated workplace hazards, especially for outdoor workers. Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause serious health risks, but with the right protections, employers and employees can reduce these dangers. Why Sun Exposure is a Workplace Hazard UV radiation risk : Outdoor workers are exposed to UV radiation for long periods, which can lead to skin damage, sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancers. Eye health : UV rays can also damage the eyes, increasing the risk of cataracts and other vision problems. Heat stress : Extended time in the sun raises the risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke, which can impair concentration and increase accident risks. Cumulative exposure : Unlike a one-time hazard, UV damage builds up over years, making outdoor workers particularly vulnerable. Employer Responsibilities The legislation prescribes that employers must provide a safe workplace that is without risks to health and safety. As such, employers must take steps to eliminate or reduce UV exposure risks so far as is reasonably practicable . This includes: Risk assessment : Identifying tasks and times of day when UV exposure is highest. Protective measures : Providing shade structures, scheduling work outside peak UV hours (10 am–3 pm), and rotating tasks to limit exposure. Education : Training workers on the dangers of UV radiation and how to protect themselves. Policy implementation : Establishing sun protection policies as part of workplace health and safety systems. Monitoring conditions : Being aware of UV index levels and reporting unsafe conditions. Consulting with employees : in relation to the hazard of sun exposure. Worker Responsibilities Under the OHS Act, employees have a duty to take reasonable care of their own, and others, health and safety and to co-operate with measures taken by their employer to ensure health and safety. Employees can play a role in protecting themselves by, for example: Wearing protective clothing : Long-sleeved shirts, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses with UV protection. Applying sunscreen : Broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen should be applied regularly throughout the day. Hydration : Drinking water frequently to prevent heat stress. Monitoring and reporting: Being aware of UV index levels and reporting unsafe conditions. Building a Sun-Safe Workplace Culture Creating a workplace culture that prioritizes sun safety is essential. This means: Normalising sunscreen use and reapplication breaks. Encouraging workers to look out for each other’s wellbeing. Making protective gear accessible and mandatory. Recognising that sun protection is not just a personal choice but a workplace safety requirement. Key Takeaways Sun exposure is a serious occupational hazard for outdoor workers. Employers must provide protections such as shade, scheduling, and training. Workers must take proactive steps like wearing protective clothing and using sunscreen. A strong workplace culture around sun safety reduces risks and promotes long-term health. Sunlight is vital for life, but in the workplace, it must be managed like any other hazard. Hazard identification and risk control is a legal requirement under the OHS Act. By treating UV exposure with the same seriousness as machinery or chemicals, employers and workers can ensure safer, healthier outdoor environments. For more guidance in relation to this: Sun protection for outdoor workers | WorkSafe Victoria