Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health — Content from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (public domain).
Key points
* Venomous snakes can be dangerous to outdoor workers.
* Although most people do not die from snake bites, there can be lasting effects.
* Employers and workers can take actions to stay safe.
Overview Venomous snakes found in the United States include:
* Rattlesnakes
* Copperheads
* Cottonmouths/water moccasins
* Coral snakes
Each year, 7,000–8,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes in the United States. About 5 of those people die. More people would die if they did not seek medical care. Workers are more likely to suffer long-term injuries than to die from snake bites. For those bitten by rattlesnakes, 10–44 percent will have lasting injuries. For example, they may lose all or part of a finger or lose the ability to use it. Types Rattlesnakes 
Rattlesnake, Photo courtesy of Sean P. Bush
* The largest venomous snakes in the United States. Many species live in the United States.
* Can quickly and accurately strike one-third or more of their body length from any position (coiled or stretched out).
* May use their rattles as a warning if they are feeling threatened.
* Do not always rattle before biting.
* Can be found sunning near logs, boulders, or open areas.
* Found across the United States in mountains, prairies, deserts, and beaches.
* Antivenom is recommended for the treatment of signs of progressive envenomation (e.g., worsening of local tissue injury, systemic symptoms).
Copperheads 
Copperhead, Photo courtesy of Sean P. Bush
* Vary in color from reddish to golden tan.
* Colored bands on their bodies are typically hourglass-shaped.
* Have a deep facial pit between each eye and their nostril.
* Adults are about 1.5 – 3 feet long.
* Not usually aggressive, but will freeze if frightened, and strike if they feel threatened.
* Found in Eastern states and as far west as Texas in forests, rocky areas, swamps, and near water.
* If bitten, receiving antivenom as soon as possible helps limbs to recover faster and it lessens the chance that a limb will be disabled after copperhead snake envenomation.
Cottonmouths/Water Moccasins 
Cottonmouth, Photo courtesy of Sean P. Bush and Frederick S. Boyce
* Adults are typically over 4 feet long.
* Adults are dark tan, brown, or nearly black, with vague black or dark brown cross-bands.
* Juveniles have a bold cross-banded pattern of brown or orange with a yellow tail.
* Found in the Southeastern United States in or around water.
Coral Snakes 
Coral snake, Photo courtesy of Mike Cardwell and Elda Sánchez
* Sometimes confused with nonvenomous king snakes, which have similar colored bands.
* May hide in leaf piles or burrow into the ground.
* Found in the Southern United States in wooded, sandy, or marshy areas.
Symptoms Signs or symptoms of a snake bite can vary depending on the type of snake. Around the wound, you may experience:
* Puncture marks
* Bleeding, redness, swelling, bruising, or blistering
* Severe pain and tenderness
After a snake bite, you may experience:
* Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
* Trouble seeing or breathing
* In extreme cases, breathing may stop
* Rapid heart rate, weak pulse, low blood pressure
* Metallic, mint, or rubber taste in the mouth
* Increased salivation and sweating
* Numbness or tingling around face and/or limbs
* Muscle twitching
Hand showing signs of a snake bite. Photo courtesy of Sean P. Bush. Prevention What employers can do Employers can protect their workers from venomous snake bites by training them about:
* Their risk of being bitten by venomous snakes.
* How to identify venomous snakes.
* How to prevent snake bites.
* What they should do if they see a snake or if a snake bites them.
What workers can do
* Do not touch or handle any snake.
* Stay away from tall grass and piles of leaves when possible.
* Avoid climbing on rocks or piles of wood where a snake may be hiding.
* Be aware that snakes tend to be most active at dawn and dusk and in warm weather.
* Wear boots and long pants when working outdoors.
* Wear leather gloves when handling brush and debris.
First Aid If a snake bites you:
* Seek emergency medical attention as soon as possible to start antivenom (if needed) and stop irreversible damage.
* Do not drive yourself to the hospital because the snakebite can make you dizzy or pass out.
* Take a photograph from a safe distance to identify the snake if possible, which may aid in faster treatment.
* Keep calm.
* Inform your supervisor.
* Apply first aid while waiting for someone to take you to the hospital.
* Lay or sit down with the bite in a neutral position of comfort.
* Remove rings and watches before swelling starts.
* Wash the bite with soap and water.
* Cover the bite with a clean, dry dressing.
* Mark the leading edge of tenderness/swelling on the skin and write the time alongside it.
Do not do any of the following:
* Do not pick up the snake or try to trap it.
* NEVER handle a venomous snake, not even a dead one or its decapitated head.
* Do not wait for symptoms to appear; get medical help right away.
* Do not apply a tourniquet, electric shock, or folk therapies.
* Do not slash the wound with a knife or cut it in any way.
* Do not try to suck out the venom.
* Do not apply ice or immerse the wound in water.
* Do not drink alcohol as a painkiller or take pain relievers (such as, aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen).
Resources University of Florida/Florida Museum of Natural History – Florida Snake ID Guide University of Florida IFAS Extension — Snakes