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Handling Suspected Mail

How to deal with Microbiological threats

The Government does not believe that the overall level of threat to the UK has increased beyond the heightened levels following the events of September 11. However, you should be aware of the practical steps to take immediately if you receive a suspect package or come into contact with a biological (eg anthrax) or chemical substance.

Terrorist or criminal incidents of this nature are extremely rare. However, if there is a concern that a suspect biological/chemical package has been received, sensible steps can be taken to minimise the risk of exposure and the possibility of harm. The overall message is to remain calm.

DO NOT PANIC

  1. Anthrax organisms can cause infection in the skin, gastrointestinal system, or the lungs. To do so the organism must be rubbed into abraded skin, swallowed, or inhaled as a fine, aerosolized mist. Disease can be prevented after exposure to the anthrax spores by early treatment with the appropriate antibiotics. Anthrax is not spread from one person to another person.
  2. For anthrax to be effective as a covert agent, it must be aerosolized into very small particles. This is difficult to do, and requires a great deal of technical skill and special equipment. If these small particles are inhaled, life-threatening lung infection can occur, but prompt recognition and treatment are effective.

General Mail Handling – WHAT TO LOOK FOR

  • Look out for suspicious envelopes or packages (see below for some things that should trigger suspicion).
  • Open all mail with a letter opener or other method that is least likely to disturb contents.
  • Open packages/envelopes with a minimum amount of movement.
  • Do not blow into envelopes.
  • Do not shake or pour out contents.
  • Keep hands away from nose and mouth while opening mail.
  • Wash hands after handling mail.

IF YOU ARE IN ANY DOUBT ABOUT A PACKAGE, DO NOT TOUCH IT, MOVE IT OR OPEN IT AND CALL OUR SECURITY OFFICE BY RINGING EXTENSION 3200.

Some items that can trigger suspicion

  • Discolouration, crystals or surface, strange odours or oily stains
  • Envelope with powder or powder-like residue
  • Excessive tape or string
  • Unusual size or weight given size
  • Lopsided or oddly-shaped envelope
  • Postmark that does not match return address
  • Restrictive endorsements such as “Personal” or “Confidential”
  • Excessive postage
  • Handwritten, block-printed or poorly-typed addresses
  • Incorrect titles
  • Title but no name
  • Misspellings of common words
  • No return address
  • Addressed to individual no longer with organisation

General Mail Handling – WHAT TO DO

If you believe you have received a contaminated package

  • do not touch the package further or move it to another location
  • shut windows and doors in the room and leave the room, but keep yourself separate from others and available for medical examination
  • switch off any room air conditioning system
  • notify your manager
Your manager should arrange the following
  • notify our Security Office by ringing extension 3200, who will contact the emergency services where necessary
  • switch off the building air conditioning system
  • close all fire doors in the building
  • close all windows in the rest of the building
  • If there has been a suspected biological contamination, ensure that personnel outside the room are evacuated as soon as possible and ensure individuals in the contaminated room are evacuated to an adjacent unoccupied room away from the hazard.
  • If there has been a suspected chemical incident ensure personnel leave the room as quickly as possible. Possible signs that people have been exposed will be streaming eyes, coughs and irritated skin. Seek immediate medical advice.
If you find any suspect package outside a building
  • do not touch it or move it
  • inform your manager clearly stating why you believe a biological/chemical material is involved
The manager should arrange the following
  • notify our Security Office by ringing extension 3200, who will contact the emergency services where necessary
  • switch off the building air conditioning system
  • close all fire doors in the building
  • close all windows in the building
  • move people away from the hazard and await instructions from the emergency services
If anyone believes they have been exposed to biological/chemical material
  • remain calm
  • do not touch eyes, nose or any other part of the body
  • wash your hands in ordinary soap where facilities are provided, but staff movement outside contained locations should be avoided as much as possible
  • notify our Security Office by ringing extension 3200, who will contact the emergency services where necessary
  • keep all persons exposed to the material separate from others and available for medical attention
  • other people should assemble at a safe distance from the incident and continue to be guided by the police and the other emergency services.

This guidance is based on the Health & Safety Executive’s general guidance to organisations on dealing with suspect packages, and is published on their website. More information is given at http://www.hse.gov.uk/hthdir/noframes/anthrax.htm

Lesley Salkeld - Head of Health, Safety and Environment

John Anderson - Head of Security 



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