With most snakes the initial picking up is the time you are most likely to get bit, once you have picked them up they seem to calm down a bit... Just remember keep your hands away from the front of their face...
Do you use a snake hook?
Or just plan for the best
Normal '08 BP, Rankin Beardie, Inland Beardie, Fat Tailed Gecko, Greek Tortoise, Corn Snakes, Western Hoggie, Emp. Scorpion, Fish