Beware the dogs
Most children in England, Wales and Scotland are now enjoying their summer break.
As such, it’s likely that more people will be at home and their dogs will be outside. This means there is a greater risk for colleagues on delivery, particularly when delivering large parcels or collecting signatures.
Please make sure that you and your teams are following the business Standards, using a yellow dot to highlight any dog hazards on their frames, completing walk log entries and marking a ‘D’ on any mail where a dog resides.
Take extra care and follow these simple steps to stay safe:
- Never put your fingers through a letter box – use a posting peg
- If there is a gate to the property, rattle it and wait for a few seconds to see if a dog is present
- Take a step back from the door if calling with a parcel or requesting a signature
- Never accept assurances – always ask owners to restrain their dogs
- Use your pouch or trolley as a barrier between you and a dog
- Never tease or antagonise a dog
- Report all dogs on your duty via the WRAP system.
If you’re taking annual leave, please make sure your walk log is up to date so the colleague covering you is prepared.
If you have been attacked by a dog and want to help us raise the profile of dog attack awareness speak to your manager or local SHE advisor who can record the details for use in our Dog Awareness Week next year.
