Mail opening policy
llw
7 Posts
Has anyone issued a policy about opening mail at the workplace that is designed to protect employees from Anthrax exposure?
llw
7 Posts
Comments
Anthrax is not contagious. It is an acute bacterial infection introduced through the skin, inhalation or ingestion. Inhalation and ingestion are not typical exposure routes. The more common exposure occurs when Anthrax bacteria are introduced through abrasions, cuts or open sores in the skin.In the inhaled form, Anthrax produces flu-like symptoms followed by increasing respiratory distress. Skin contamination produces localized swelling and a blister that turns black as it scabs over.Anthrax is treatable in the early stage with antibiotics -- penicillin,doxycycline or ciprofloxicin. Hope that helps!
Common-sense Precautions at Work and Home
Incoming mail, letter or parcel, is the most likely method of introducing
hazardous materials into our environment. Be alert to the following:
--Stained, discolored, wrapper, strange odor, signs of crystallization, white
or brown powder or other unusual substance
--No return address or address that cannot be verified, foreign postmark or
stamp
--Misspelled words, wrong titles/ names, markings such as personal or
confidential
--Parcel is bulky, lop-sided or looks strange, excessive tape, string or
protruding wiring
If you receive a suspicious package or letter at work, do not open it, or try to
identify odor through smell. Do not pass the parcel or letter to co-workers for
their inspection. Instead, remain calm and immediately alert your manager and
Security for action. As a precautionary measure, wash your hands with soap and
water.
If you are at home, isolate the package, wash your hands with soap and water and
immediately contact your local police department for assistance.
Protective gloves are available for any employee who wishes to use them. Gloves
may be obtained though the clinics in Chattanooga and Worcester and the
reception desks in Portland and Columbia. Managers in Field locations are also
encouraged to have gloves available.
Mailroom Procedures
Due to the recent incidents of suspected bioterrorism, it is advised that all mail room personnel take precautions with inbound mail and packages as follows.
Inspect all incoming mail and packages and watch for:
· Any letter or package that has suspicious or threatening messages written on it.
· Envelopes that are lopsided, rigid, bulky, discolored or have a strange odor.
· Envelopes with no return address.
· Unexpected envelopes from foreign countries.
· No postage or non-cancelled postage.
· Improper spelling of common names, places or titles.
In addition:
· Examine unopened envelopes/packages for foreign bodies or powder.
· Do not open letters with your hands. Use a letter opener.
· Open letters and packages with a minimum of movement to avoid spilling any contents.
Any suspicious mail should not be opened. Call your supervisor if you feel an opened envelope/package is suspicious.
If a suspicious piece of mail is opened, leave the room, keep others from entering, notify your supervisor, security and call 911.
Although it is not felt that our office is a possible target for criminal acts, these additional precautions will serve to aid in the safety and security of our employees. For your own safety, latex gloves are available from Housekeeping should you want to take that extra precaution when handling mail.
Seriously though, the FBI has advised on the following signs of suspicious mail:
No return address and/or restrictive markings such as "personal"
Addressed to title only or incorrect title or spelling of name
Possibly mailed from another country
Excessive Postage
Mispelled or badly typed or written words and address
Wrong title with name
Protruding Wires
Lopsided or uneven
Rigid or bulky
Strange Odor
Oily stains, discoloration or crystallization on wrapper
Excessive taping or string
What you should do with suspicious mail
Handle with care, do not shake or bump
Do not open, smell or TASTE (I'm not making this up, FBI says do not taste)
Isolate and look for indicators
Treat as suspect and call 911
Of course, several of their indicators apply to junk mail that you may get all the time (like incorrect spelling), so use common sense!!
Good Luck!
procedure on how to handle suspicious packages with our H.R. group.
I hope this is of some help to you.
Subject: Suspicious mail
In light of recent events, a team made up of professionals from
Facility Services, Corporate Safety and Internal Affairs have developed the
following procedure for suspicious packages and letters. Your safety
is our primary concern, and we are taking all appropriate actions. This
procedure was created based on benchmarking with the Center for
Disease Control, FBI, US Postal Service and several major corporations. It was
also reviewed by Mickey Schwartz a former NY Police Chief and a
member of the New York State Senate Task Force on Terrorism and Preventative
Action, who called it the most comprehensive procedure he has seen to date.
This procedure will be followed by the Mailroom personnel who have
been asked to identify any obvious package prior to bringing it to the
floors. As a precaution, they will be wearing latex gloves. You may also want
to take the same precaution if you are handling mail.
We encourage you to read the procedure so that you know what to do in
the unlikely event that the need arises. While one characteristic alone
may not make a package suspicious, we ask you to use common sense. If you
have any questions do not hesitate to call.
Brad Finkelstein
Joe DiLeo
SUSPICIOUS PACKAGE/LETTER EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
In response to recent reports of Anthrax tainted mail, we are asking
all employees to take the following precautions should they receive any
suspicious mail. We would like to emphasize that there have been no
threats or actions against Amerada Hess nor do we have any reason to
believe that Amerada Hess has been targeted.
I. REMAIN CALM:
In the unlikely event you receive or open a suspect package or
letter, it is important to remember not to panic. The FBI emphasized
that the vast majority of such suspect items prove to be hoaxes. Do not
overreact. Remain calm and follow the procedures set forth below to
keep you and your co-workers safe.
II. DELIVERY METHODS:
Effective widespread dispersal of Anthrax is very difficult.
``Only extremely fine, dry Anthrax powders can make it to the lungs. The
preferred method of delivery is through letters or packages opened by
unsuspected personnel. Anthrax delivered in this manner most often
resembles a white, dry, fine, powdery substance and generally impacts
only those having direct contact with the substance. Anthrax spores infect
only if they are inhaled in large quantities, are ingested, or are
introduced into an open wound or the eyes. Even if exposure does occur,
the victim is not contagious and the condition is treatable with
antibiotics if identified early.
III. WHAT CONSTITUTES A SUSPICIOUS PACKAGE OR LETTER:
* Have no return address or one that can't be verified aslegitimate
* Have excessive postage
* Mailed from a foreign country
* Badly typed or written
* Are of unusual weight given their size, is lopsided or oddly shaped
* Are marked with restrictive endorsements such as personal or confidential
* Are unexpected or from someone unfamiliar to you
* Are addressed to someone no longer with your organization or othererwise outdated
* Show a city or state in the postmark that does not match the return
address
* Have strange odors or stains
* Packages with combinations of tape to secure them
* Packages or letters containing fine materials (talc
consistency),
powdery materials, granules or containers with unknown liquids
* Have misspelled words or incorrect titles
IV. WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I RECEIVE A SUSPICIOUS LETTER OR PACKAGE?
* Do not open package/letter
* Handle the package with care, do not shake it or bump it
* Isolate the package/letter
* Move away from the package, but stay in the immediate area.
Insure
no one else goes near it
* Contact your Supervisor. If he or she is not available contact
the
main security desk (dial 0)
* If your supervisor is available he or she will notify the main
security desk
* Security will notify the Facility Manager/Building Manager
* Facility Manager/Security will inspect the package/letter
* Facilities Manager/Security, if necessary, will contact the
appropriate authorities
V. WHAT SHOULD I DO IF AN UNIDENTIFIED SUBSTANCE IS FOUND?
* Do not touch, smell, taste or analyze the substance
* Handle the package with care, do not shake it or bump it
* Isolate the package/letter
* Move away from the package but stay in the immediate area.
Insure
no one else is exposed.
* Contact your supervisor. If he or she is not available contact
the
main security desk.
* If your supervisor is available he or she will notify the main
security desk
* Turn off any circulating fans in use in the immediate area
* Security will notify the facility manager. Facility manager
will
inspect the package/letter.
* Facilities Management/Security, if necessary, will contact the
appropriate authorities
REV - 10/15/01