La Poste postmen train to avoid bites

Dog bites are the third leading cause of workplace accidents for postmen. 2,000 of them are bitten each year as part of their tour. La Poste organizes training to teach them the right actions to adopt.

The image seems straight out of a comic strip, and could make you smile: a dog chasing a postman. However, this is not funny: dog bites are the third cause of workplace accidents for postmen, after falls and road accidents. It’s one in five accidents. So La Poste carries out internal prevention actions, with the help of dog trainers to encourage people to adopt the right actions and avoid accidents during the tour, and to better understand dogs and their behavior.

One of these “canine risks” training courses, with ten handlers, took place in Gellainville (Eure-et-Loir) just near Chartres. We start with a round of the table. “Have you, as a postal worker, ever been bitten? Do you own a dog? Are you afraid of dogs?”

First observation: out of ten factors present, six have already been bitten. Like Apolline, 22 years old, postwoman in Chartres. “I was bitten in the leg almost to the bone. It happened very quickly. The lady opened the door for me, she had difficulty holding on, she who is 80 years old and a [chien de race] Staff. I struggled with him for four or five minutes. I ended up ripping his mouth open with my hands.” Results: one month off and still having after-effects.

“I’ve had anxiety attacks at work before.”

Apolline, 22-year-old postwoman

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Jalila, postwoman in Châteaudun, has never been bitten but today she is afraid. “More and more yes. I am always vigilant, always on the alert on tour.” How does a dog communicate? How to react if he rushes at you? What to do if bitten ? For almost two hours, with supporting videos and quizzes, Sylvie Dessiaume, the dog trainer, retired volunteer, member of the Neuvycéenne Canine Association (Neuvy-sur-Barangeon), from Cher, provides her advice, with a other educator. “Do not turn your back on the dog, because for him it is an escapeshe explains. Do not run, do not pet the dog. Do any of you give them treats on tour? Avoid.”

After the theory, it’s time for practice: we deliver a package in the presence of a dog. Two canine actors for this production: a Malinois and an Australian Shepherd. And the trainer plays the role of an insensitive customer. “I have a package for you, but can you bring your dog in or tie him up?”asks the postwoman. “Oh he’s far away, he doesn’t want to come, but he’s really good,” replies the trainer. “Yes, but he can suddenly come and say hello to me. So I won’t be able to give you the package,” retorts the postmistress. A welcomed reaction in the room.

Another exercise: keep calm when a dog runs past. After a call for volunteers, Apolline raises her hand and succeeds perfectly. “A lot of stress obviously, but I said to myself: ‘I’m surpassing myself and I’m doing it’. I’m proud of myself. There are things we already knew, but a booster shot never hurts and then it’s a good experience.”

In the event of a risky situation, and if the dog owner does nothing despite the alerts, La Poste may suspend mail delivery. Each year, 2,000 postmen are bitten as part of their tour. And since the start of 2024, La Poste has recorded 32 work accidents linked to dog bites in the Centre-Val-de-Loire region alone.