Aggressive dogs, swooping magpies and low-hanging branches are among the hundreds of hazards posties have to dodge in a day on the job.
More than 81,000 hazards were logged by posties in the past 12 months – that is more than 200 hazards a day, according to new data tracked by Australia Post’s digital hazard tool.
Unrestrained and aggressive dogs, obstructive shrubs and trees, low-hanging branches, jagged letterboxes, blind driveways and cars blocking access were the top hazards.
“The nature of the job requires our Posties to be out and about every day,” Rod Barnes, Australia Post executive general manager network operations, said.
“Posties just want to be able to complete their deliveries safely, without hitting their heads on low-hanging branches, navigating badly cracked footpaths or having to avoid aggressive dogs,” Barnes said in a statement.
Magpie and other bird attacks, as well as roped-off driveways and insect nests in letterboxes were among “the more unusual hazards” posties contend with.
New South Wales logged more than 20,000 hazards in a year, making it the diciest state for posties, followed closely by Victoria which had nearly 19,000. Queensland logged more than 16,000 hazards, South Australia 13,000, Western Australia 10,000 and Tasmania logged 1,300. The ACT and Northern Territory logged less than 1,000 hazards each.
The Aus Post digital hazard tool was rolled out 12 months ago and operates through a postie’s handheld device. When a hazard is logged, any other postie travelling in the same location will be warned to avoid the hazard or take extra care.
