Dog bites present the greatest danger to Ergon crews statewide. At a local level, public threats (aggressive people) and wildlife have outpaced the canine challenge. Photos: Ergon Energy.
Cape dog owners are largely controlling their animals when Ergon crews and contractors venture onsite.
Ergon staff have logged five dog attacks in its Far North region in the last 12 months. With Flinders (Burdekin / Charters Towers and west to Mount Isa, also five), this rates as the lowest count in the company’s Northern group.
Topping the Northern list is Tropical Coast (Cairns and Cassowary Coast, 14), Pioneer (Mackay/Whitsundays/Isaac Shires, 11) and Herbert (Townsville and Ingham, 10).
The company does not indicate the number of dogs to household ratio estimated in each region.
Reports of public threats (aggressive people) and wildlife brought the total number of reported statewide incidents to 289. The Far North reported six incidents in each category over the past year.
Ergon’s metering contracts manager Sarah Bradford is appealing to customers to do their bit to keep crews on the frontline of customer service safe.
She said although there had been a significant reduction in incidents since Ergon introduced its safe entry policy in January 2019, 148 dog-related incidents and 60 related to wildlife were reported in the last 12 months.
“While you may not see your pet as a threat, experience tells us – any dog can pose a risk, regardless of size or temperament. We also know electric fences and owners holding dogs by the lead, collar or in their arms do not provide adequate protection for our people.
“We’re asking customers to ensure their pets and livestock are locked up and completely separated from worksites to provide a safe environment for our crews and meter readers.”
But Ms Bradford said one of the biggest hazards faced in the field had nothing to do with electricity – “it’s actually our customers”.
She said the type of abuse and threatening behaviour being reported posed an additional risk to crews – meter readers, maintenance workers or those in an emergency response situation.
“There is absolutely no excuse for abuse, and we want everyone to be safe at work – not only physically, but mentally,” Ms Bradford said.
“Our people just want to do a good job and get home safely to their friends and family. But abuse, threats and violence from customers can have lasting effects and potentially impact their return to work.”
Eighty-one incidents of threatening behaviour from customers were reported over the last year. In some cases, crews have been advised not to attend a property without a police escort.
“If we cannot confirm safe access to your meter or other equipment, we will not risk entering your premises to do any work,” Ms Bradford said.
“We are sincerely grateful to the majority of people who are doing the right thing to keep everyone safe, and we hope we can get through to the minority who aren’t.”
To further safeguard its teams in the field, Ergon has introduced an Entry Hazards App, which arms crews with critical information about potential risks before they enter a property, including dogs, hostile occupants, asbestos and fire ants.
For safe entry information, visit: Ergon.
While dog bites remain the number one danger, not all the blame is being placed on canines. Photo: Ergon Energy.
