Australia Post is urging the public to do their part in keeping posties safe in the lead-up to the busy Christmas deliveries season.
Australia Post Group Chief Executive and Managing Director, Christine Holgate said posties and delivery drivers often faced unexpected safety risks on the job – from the unsecured, to drivers speeding out of driveways.
“This Christmas our posties and drivers will be hitting the road to help deliver a record-breaking Christmas, but we want them all to be home safe celebrating with loved ones at the end of it,” Ms Holgate said.
“Being safe everywhere, in everything we do, is about looking after our people.”
She said Australia Post staff were not just our posties and drivers, “they’re also our friends and family – and operate in all the far-reaching communities of our network”.
“There were more than 370 incidents involving injuries caused by dogs in the 2019 financial year and, for the same period, more than two posties were injured in motorcycle accidents every workday,” Ms Holgate said.
“One injury or near miss is too many. Australia Post is asking the public to be alert, slow down, and remove distractions when driving.”
She said posties underwent comprehensive safety training and had protective equipment, high visibility flags and clothing to make them easier to spot.
“Above all though, we rely on the entire community to help look after their safety,” Ms Holgate said.
“We’re asking drivers to slow down, toot their horns and be wary of posties and pedestrians by carefully checking all directions before reversing from their driveway.”