Electricity workers in Queensland are facing nearly 300 threatening or dangerous incidents each year, many involving aggressive pets or hostile residents, according to Energex. The power provider reported 289 threats and attacks across the state in the past 12 months, including 138 in South East Queensland alone.
Brisbane recorded the highest number of incidents, with 49 dog-related near-misses or bites, 36 threats from people, and 19 involving other animals. The Gold Coast and Scenic Rim reported eight dog-related incidents, seven threats from people, and five involving livestock or wildlife.
Energex metering contracts manager Sarah Bradford said the biggest hazard crews face is customer behavior, not electricity. “The type of abuse and threatening behaviour being reported really does pose an additional risk to our crews that we don’t need. There is absolutely no excuse for abuse,” she said.
Animal-related incidents remain a major hazard, with 148 dog-related incidents and 60 involving other animals reported in the past year. Ms Bradford urged pet owners to secure animals before workers arrive, noting that under Energex policy, electric fences or holding a dog on a lead do not count as adequate restraint. “Your dogs need to be behind a locked or closed fence or gate or door,” she said.
Energex said threats and abuse take a serious mental and physical toll on workers, affecting their families and ability to safely return to work. Some situations were so serious that workers needed police escorts. Contact centre staff were also targeted with verbal abuse and threats over the phone.
Energex introduced its safe entry policy in 2019 and recently launched an Entry Hazards App to alert crews to risks before entering properties. “We’re sincerely grateful to the majority of people who are doing the right thing, and we hope we can get through to the minority who aren’t,” Ms Bradford said.
