This week's Royal Mail Dog Awareness campaign is fully supported by the CWU both nationally and by local branches.
Here, CWU Greater Mersey Amal postal Area Safety Rep, Jamie McGovern reports on the work being done on Merseyside by the police and his branch, as well as reiterating safety advice to his postal worker colleagues:
The CWU in Merseyside is now working with Liverpool University (risk and uncertainty team) and a new ‘5 STEP AVOID’ initiative was recently trialled in delivery offices throughout Merseyside.
The trial was successful and the national dog safety working group for Royal Mail & CWU will now be extending the initiative as a weekly communication for Dog Awareness week which runs from 4th-9th July 2016 nationally.
Merseyside Police have also endorsed this message and their badge will be included in local communications.
Avoid
AVOID interacting with ALL DOGS – a dog only becomes ‘dangerous’ AFTER it has attacked someone. Do not pet any dog, do not give treats. It creates unnecessary risks. If you cannot safely access the property follow the Royal Mail guidance and endorse with p6705 sticker.
Value Yourself
IT REALLY COULD HAPPEN TO YOU!!– 3000 postal workers are bitten every year. THAT’S 8 PER DAY!!! Most people are bitten by a dog they already know. Do not fall into the trap of thinking that ‘dogs like me’ or ‘I will be okay’.
Your health and wellbeing is more important than any need to come into contact with a dog.
Observe
Check your walk log and ENDORSE MAIL ITEMS AT KNOWN DOG ADDRESSES WITH A ‘D’.
Stay observant and look for any signs that a dog is present or loose on a property.
Make a noise if necessary before you risk entry.
Remember that there may be new or visiting dogs so do not become complacent.
Carry and USE YOUR POSTING PEG.
Inform
Inform others about the potential risk to avoid them being bitten. Do not ignore it. Report all relevant information, including new dogs to staff, managers and police if need be. It is necessary to keep everyone safe.
Defend
If required, defend against a dog bite by using your delivery equipment, such as your satchel or trolley, to create a barrier between you and the dog. Most bites occur on the limbs, so wearing long trousers and sleeves can help protect from serious injury.
It is hoped that the above can be used not just within Royal Mail but developed adapted to be used across the whole of the community and also in schools.
My local CWU Branch is also working on a community initiative being launched in summer 2016 whereby 2,000 dog window film stickers will be sent to all known dog hazard addresses in Wirral & Liverpool.
It is hoped that the window stickers will be displayed and act as a notification to anyone visiting the address that there is a dog on the property.
The sticker will be beneficial to dog owners as it alerts any emergency rescue team that dog(s) are present
The initiative has support from CWU, Liverpool University, and Guide dogs UK & Merseyside Police; and it is hoped that the trial of this initiative will prove that this window sticker can become a ‘community badge’ for everyone.
Stickers have been given out to dog owners at Royal Mail callers offices in Liverpool & Wirral and some are already being displayed in the community (as in the pic above)
It is hoped that if the above does become a ‘community badge’ for all , Visitors including Delivery staff, NHS staff, Refuse workers, Emergency services, Charity workers etc. etc. could use the badge to identify potential risks especially if entering a property.
The stickers (2,000 in total) were ordered from www.discountstickerprinting.co.uk , who we owe a vote of thanks to, due to the very fast turnaround and also the fast, reliable service.
Everyone who has seen these stickers has commented on the quality of them.
