Handle and restrain animals
Overview
You will need to assess the risks involved in handling and restraining the particular animal you are working with, identify the suitable methods of restraint and use these methods effectively and safely.
You will need to be aware of your own limitations and confirm that you meet the relevant legal responsibilities for providing a duty of care under current animal health and welfare legislation.
This standard is suitable for anyone who handles and restrains animals.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
assess the risks associated with handling and restraining the animal and complete a risk assessment, where required
work professionally and ethically and within the limits of your own authority, expertise, training, competence and experience
confirm that your work is carried out in accordance with workplace instructions and procedures
carry out all work in accordance with the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements, associated codes of practice and organisational policies
carry out your work in accordance with the relevant animal health and welfare and animal-related legislation, associated codes of practice and organisational policies
maintain hygiene and bio-security in accordance with workplace instructions, organisational practice and the relevant legislation
select and wear suitable clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE)
select and prepare the required tools and equipment for handling and restraining animals in accordance with the relevant legislation, the manufacturer's guidelines and organisational policy
select a method of handling and restraint that is suitable for the animal concerned, the requirements of the animal and the reason for handling, in order to minimise the risks to the animal, yourself and those involved in or affected by your work
check and prepare the environment prior to handling the animal so that the risks to the animal, yourself and those involved in or affected by your work, are minimised
check that authorisation has been obtained for the animal to be handled and restrained using the method selected
approach the animal in a way that will enable co-operation and minimise distress
handle and restrain the animal in a way that does not compromise animal welfare, avoids behaviour giving rise to welfare concern and maintains health and safety
monitor the animal's behaviour and adapt the method of handling and restraint in response to the animal’s reactions
check that the animal's health and welfare is maintained throughout and that the process conforms to the relevant animal welfare legislation
recognise when behaviour may indicate that you should not continue to handle and restrain the animal
seek assistance if there is a risk to the animal, to security or to health and safety
complete records as required by the relevant legislation and organisational policy
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
your professional responsibilities and the limits of your authority, expertise, training, competence and experience
the importance of completing the activity in accordance with workplace instructions and procedures
your responsibilities under the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements, associated codes of practice and organisational policies
your responsibilities under the relevant animal health and welfare and animal-related legislation, associated codes of practice and organisational policies
how to identify situations where it is not safe or suitable for a person to approach, handle or restrain an animal without assistance
the type of clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) suitable for the activity
the importance of maintaining hygiene and bio-security and the methods for achieving this
why animals may require handling and restraint and how this may affect the method selected
the types of physical and behavioural conditions that may affect the approach, handling and restraint of animals
how and where to obtain information about the physical condition, temperament and the usual behaviour patterns of an animal
the methods of handling and restraining different types animals and the equipment required
how to select the suitable method of handling and restraint for an animal
how to identify the possible risks and hazards involved with the handling and restraint of animals and how to minimise and respond to these
how animals should be approached, handled and restrained in order to avoid behaviour giving rise to welfare concern, promote animal welfare and maintain the health and safety of yourself, the animal and those involved in or affected by your work
the different factors that can affect an animal's behaviour and what to do if these factors are observed
how to recognise and assess the signs of stress, alarm or physical health concerns in the animals being handled and restrained and what to do if they are observed
the records that need to be kept in relation to handling and restraining animals and the importance of completing these in accordance with the relevant legislation and organisational policy
Scope/range
the reason for handling
the species of animal
the physical condition of the animal
the temperament and behaviour of the animal
the possible risks involved
Scope Performance
Scope Knowledge
Values
Behaviours
Skills
Glossary
Current animal welfare legislation:
England and Wales, Animal Welfare Act
Scotland, Animal Health and Welfare Act
Northern Ireland, Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland)