Access Professional Development

🎓🚑🛡️ Very different professions. One common risk.

On Friday, we presented a Snake Identification, Handling & Snakebite Treatment course to delegates from a large educational institution in Potchefstroom, North West.

What made this course particularly interesting was the diversity of the group.

In the room were:

👨‍🏫 Lecturers
🚑 Medical responders
🛡️ Security personnel
and other professionals

At first glance, these professions seem worlds apart.

But all can find themselves as the first person on scene when a snake is discovered on campus, near residences, sports facilities, parking areas, gardens, maintenance zones, or walking routes.

The question is:

Would you know what to do?

Throughout the day, delegates explored:

🐍 How to confidently identify medically significant snake species

🩹 What snakebite first aid actually looks like (and what outdated myths can get people hurt)

🛠️ Safe handling and relocation techniques for problem snakes

⚠️ How to manage incidents without creating panic among staff, students, or visitors

One discussion that stood out during the course was how quickly misinformation spreads after a snake sighting.

A harmless species becomes a "Black Mamba."

A safe situation becomes a crisis.

And suddenly fear is creating a bigger risk than the snake itself.

That's why education matters.

Not because everyone needs to become a snake handler.

But because everyone benefits when the people around them know how to respond calmly, professionally, and safely.

A big thank you to all the delegates who participated, asked great questions, and brought their unique perspectives to the training.

Different roles. Different responsibilities. The same commitment to safety.

📞 For more information on our Snake Identification, Handling & Snakebite Treatment courses, contact Bernadette on 076 092 5932 or [email protected]

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🐍 ANTIVENOM UPDATE FOR SOUTH AFRICA | SAVP RELEASES LATEST PRODUCTION TIMELINE 🏥

The South African Vaccine Producers (SAVP), a subsidiary of the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), has released an updated statement regarding the availability and expected release dates of several critical antivenom products.

This is encouraging news for healthcare providers, emergency responders, conservation personnel, snake handlers, and communities living in high-risk snakebite areas across South Africa.

According to the latest update:

✅ Boomslang Antivenom – Stock Available
✅ Echis Antivenom – Stock Available
🦂 Scorpion Antivenom – 717 units expected for release on 19 June 2026
🐍 Polyvalent Antivenom – 1,300 units expected for release on 15 July 2026
🕷️ Spider Antivenom – Expected release on 30 July 2026

The anticipated release of additional Polyvalent Antivenom is particularly important, as this product is used in the treatment of severe envenomations from several medically significant South African snake species, including mambas, cobras, rinkhals, puff adders, and others.

While antivenom remains a critical component of managing serious envenomations, prevention remains the most effective treatment.

✔️ Wear appropriate PPE when working outdoors
✔️ Ensure emergency response plans are in place
✔️ Train staff working in high-risk environments
✔️ Seek immediate medical care following a suspected serious snakebite

We will continue to share updates as they become available.

A sincere thank you to the teams at SAVP and NHLS who continue working behind the scenes to ensure these life-saving products remain available to South Africans who need them most.

🐍🏥

☣️ Would your team know what to do if a hazardous substance leak, chemical splash, toxic vapour release, or workplace contamination incident happened today?

Hazardous substances are present in more workplaces than most people realise, from cleaning chemicals and fuels to manufacturing products, solvents, gases, paints, acids, and industrial materials.

Knowing the hazard is only the beginning. Knowing how to identify risks, interpret labels and SDS documents, select the correct controls, respond safely to spills, and protect both people and the environment can make all the difference.

Our Hazardous Substances in the Workplace (HAZMAT) course is designed to equip employees with practical knowledge to work safer around hazardous substances and respond effectively when incidents occur.

✔ Hazard identification & exposure risks
✔ Chemical labels, warning signs & SDS interpretation
✔ Safe handling, storage & PPE selection
✔ Spill response & emergency procedures
✔ Practical workplace controls & compliance awareness

📍 Available onsite across South Africa
📅 1 Day Course
📞 Bernadette: 076 092 5932
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.accesspd.co.za

Don’t wait for an incident to expose weaknesses in your system. Build capability before it matters.