Postal
Postie raises letterbox hazard as issue for talks with senior managers
(27 April 2010) NSW postie and CEPU member Doug Brown has responded to the CEPU’s request for issues members would like to be raised at the upcoming meeting with senior management with a rather unusual request, asking that Australia Post give consideration to selling standardized letterboxes.
Doug Brown has correctly identified that letterboxes which are of all different shapes and sizes, positioned at the wrong height, hidden by bushes and shrubs and surrounded by other hazards, such as wheelie bins, present a safety risk to posties.
“Why don't Australia Post post offices and post shops sell Australia Post preferred letterboxes?” asks Doug - good question.
Ask any postie, says Doug , what they think of the letterboxes on his/her beat and the answer will be that a huge number are inadequate, at the wrong height, and situated in difficult - indeed, dangerous - spots. To overcome the problem Doug suggests that “Australia Post subsidise the sale of good letterboxes (say, $25 per letterbox) and have an advertising campaign that encourages people to buy them and to put them in the right spot and at the correct height of between 900mm and 1200mm.”
“If Australia Post had a campaign of this type, many people would, I am sure, upgrade their letterboxes. Posties would work more safely and more efficiently. Customers would be happier with their mail (no scrunched envelopes; fewer wet envelopes) and would be encouraged to send more mail.”
“Australia Post should also ask the Minister to push State Planning Ministers to require all new houses and home units to have A4-sized letterboxes in good spots at the right height,” says Doug.
Of course Australia Post does have a letterbox checklist (see below) but clearly it is not enforced.
Australia Post letterbox checklist:
- Large enough to take A4-size magazines
- In the correct position for your area. For example, in some country towns letterboxes are located together at the end of a lane. In the city most letterboxes are placed at the front of people's properties.(Check with your local post office for details)
- Clearly marked with your house number
- Clear of bushes and shrubs
- Easily accessible
Lockable to protect your mail - Free of surrounding hazards (like skateboards or wheelie bins) – we don’t want the postie to have a nasty accident
- Why not go outside and see if your letterbox measures up.
Good advice Post, now how about following that up in a way that eliminates the risk for Posties. The issue will be put on the table at the meeting with senior management.
For more information, contact the CEPU via feedback@cepu.asn.au