Personal safety

Many jobs require you to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) every day to minimise the risk of an incident occurring. The PPE you need will depend on the job you do and the site you’re working on.

For example, if you’re riding a bicycle or a motorbike, you’ll need to wear a helmet every day. If you’re working around load shifting equipment you’re likely to need to wear high-visibility clothing and safety shoes.

Australia Post employees will be provided with PPE required for their job. Contractors also have an obligation to maintain and provide PPE to help minimise the risk of harm for their workers. 

If you’re working on a new worksite, contact the manager before you arrive and check what the PPE requirements are. Usually they’ll provide any PPE required for you when you arrive, and they may have some tips about what sort of clothing to wear.

Looking after PPE is important too. You should regularly have a look at your gear and make sure it’s not broken or damaged. If you find an issue with your PPE, let your manager know so that it can be fixed or replaced.

Mobile devices can help us do our job and help us keep in touch, but they can also present a risk of harm. To reduce this risk, we have guidance for the safe use of devices, to keep you and everyone around you, safe.

Mobile devices include mobile phones, personal audio mobile devices, walkie talkies, two way radios and barcode scanners.

You must never use a mobile phone while operating a vehicle, including a motorcycle or bicycle. You must also turn off your mobile phone when you’re refuelling or in an area where there is fuel or chemicals.

Personal mobile phones should only be used during scheduled work breaks, away from your work activities. 

We believe everyone should be able to come to work each day without fear of being harassed, discriminated against, or bullied. This includes being victimised for identifying this type of behaviour, or being involved in a complaint about harassment, discrimination or bullying. This is really important for your personal safety and wellbeing.

That’s why we’ve put in place a policy to clearly explain what behaviour constitutes harassment, discrimination, bullying and victimisation.

Everyone has the responsibility, and the ability, to prevent harassment, discrimination and bullying at work – if you see harassment, discrimination or bullying, you must report it.

We’re committed to addressing all complaints as quickly and fairly as possible. 

If you want to report harassment, discrimination or bullying, you can raise it directly with the person involved or speak to your manager, if you’re comfortable doing so. Otherwise you can get in touch with the Harassment Contact Officer (HCO) or People Services via 1300 116 947 or the People Services Portal. Contractors must have in place systems to address and respond to any harassment, discrimination or bullying relating to their workers. If a claim relates to an Australia Post employee they should also report the matter to People Services via 1300 116 947.

Feeling personally safe and supported is as important as wearing PPE or handling dangerous goods in the right way. It all contributes to creating a workplace where everyone is safe everywhere.

If you want to know more or need help, talk to your manager or contact the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) or the Workforce Assistance Program (WAP) (for contractors and our extended workforce).