| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess location and scene | Traffic exposure, aggressive wildlife nearby, slippery shoulders, biohazard risks | Park safely; activate beacons; set cones; assign lookout; inspect area for additional hazards such as wasps, blood, or fluids |
| Don required PPE | Exposure to disease, bodily fluids, parasites | Wear gloves, eye protection, high visibility vest, and any additional protective clothing needed |
| Inspect tools and equipment | Broken shovels, damaged grabbers, leaking disinfectant sprayer | Ensure shovels, rakes, and grabbers are in good condition; verify disinfectant is ready and container is intact |
| Approach animal and assess condition | Rabies risk, parasites (ticks, fleas), decomposition hazards | Avoid direct contact; use tools to inspect; look for movement or nearby injured wildlife; do not handle if animal is large or dangerous without proper assistance |
| Establish safe work area | Motorists approaching too closely, crew stepping into danger zone | Set cones or signage; position truck to shield crew; assign lookout to watch traffic |
| Remove animal using tools | Fleas, ticks, fluids, lifting injuries | Use shovel or grabbers; avoid bending excessively; team lift heavy animals; do not use hands even with gloves on |
| Bag or containerize the animal | Bag tearing, contamination spread, exposure to fluids | Use double bags for small animals; place larger animals directly into lined container; avoid compressing bags |
| Transport animal to truck | Drips, spills, exposure to bystanders | Keep bagged animal away from body; place directly into designated bin or compartment with lid |
| Decontaminate tools and area | Spread of bacteria or viruses, lingering odors, environmental contamination | Spray tools with disinfectant; clean truck bed if soiled; apply disinfectant to roadway if permitted by local policy |
| Dispose of carcass following policy | Improper disposal leading to wildlife attraction or regulatory violations | Follow municipal or state policy; options may include transfer station, pit disposal, or veterinary cremation; document removal if required |
| Remove gloves and PPE safely | Cross contamination | Remove gloves using proper technique; dispose of single use PPE; wash hands thoroughly or use sanitizer |
| Final inspection | Leftover fluids, missed hazardous debris | Check roadway; remove any remaining tissue, feathers, or blood; ensure storm drains remain clear |
| Remove any traffic control | Worker exposure to moving traffic | Remove cones and signage in reverse order; maintain lookout; keep PPE on until truck is fully clear |
Hard hat if working roadside
High visibility vest or jacket (Class 3 recommended)
Safety glasses or face shield
Nitrile or disposable gloves under cut resistant gloves
Steel toe boots
Long sleeves and long pants
Disposable coveralls if animal is decomposed
Respiratory protection if strong odor or aerosolized material is present
Always have a complete, well-stocked first aid kit available.
JSA Category: Miscellaneous Operations
* The steps, hazards, and controls displayed above may be incomplete or not suit your department's needs. All job safety analyses should be a completed with frontline worker input to ensure that each potential hazard is identified and mitigated.
Please read about The Essentials Elements of a Solid Job Safety Anaylsis here.
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| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess location and scene | Traffic exposure, aggressive wildlife nearby, slippery shoulders, biohazard risks | Park safely; activate beacons; set cones; assign lookout; inspect area for additional hazards such as wasps, blood, or fluids |
| Don required PPE | Exposure to disease, bodily fluids, parasites | Wear gloves, eye protection, high visibility vest, and any additional protective clothing needed |
| Inspect tools and equipment | Broken shovels, damaged grabbers, leaking disinfectant sprayer | Ensure shovels, rakes, and grabbers are in good condition; verify disinfectant is ready and container is intact |
| Approach animal and assess condition | Rabies risk, parasites (ticks, fleas), decomposition hazards | Avoid direct contact; use tools to inspect; look for movement or nearby injured wildlife; do not handle if animal is large or dangerous without proper assistance |
| Establish safe work area | Motorists approaching too closely, crew stepping into danger zone | Set cones or signage; position truck to shield crew; assign lookout to watch traffic |
| Remove animal using tools | Fleas, ticks, fluids, lifting injuries | Use shovel or grabbers; avoid bending excessively; team lift heavy animals; do not use hands even with gloves on |
| Bag or containerize the animal | Bag tearing, contamination spread, exposure to fluids | Use double bags for small animals; place larger animals directly into lined container; avoid compressing bags |
| Transport animal to truck | Drips, spills, exposure to bystanders | Keep bagged animal away from body; place directly into designated bin or compartment with lid |
| Decontaminate tools and area | Spread of bacteria or viruses, lingering odors, environmental contamination | Spray tools with disinfectant; clean truck bed if soiled; apply disinfectant to roadway if permitted by local policy |
| Dispose of carcass following policy | Improper disposal leading to wildlife attraction or regulatory violations | Follow municipal or state policy; options may include transfer station, pit disposal, or veterinary cremation; document removal if required |
| Remove gloves and PPE safely | Cross contamination | Remove gloves using proper technique; dispose of single use PPE; wash hands thoroughly or use sanitizer |
| Final inspection | Leftover fluids, missed hazardous debris | Check roadway; remove any remaining tissue, feathers, or blood; ensure storm drains remain clear |
| Remove any traffic control | Worker exposure to moving traffic | Remove cones and signage in reverse order; maintain lookout; keep PPE on until truck is fully clear |
Hard hat if working roadside
High visibility vest or jacket (Class 3 recommended)
Safety glasses or face shield
Nitrile or disposable gloves under cut resistant gloves
Steel toe boots
Long sleeves and long pants
Disposable coveralls if animal is decomposed
Respiratory protection if strong odor or aerosolized material is present