1. |
Organizations should conduct a "Risk Analysis"
to determine level of appropriate countermeasures and security asset
allocation. |
2. |
Mailrooms must be Restricted Areas. |
3. |
Mailrooms should have Access Control with an Audit Trail. |
4. |
Mailrooms should have an Isolation Area for suspect parcels. |
5. |
Corporations should utilize "Positive Parcel DeterminationSM"
(PPDSM) methodology. |
6. |
Most common form, Cutaneous Anthrax, is treatable. |
7. |
Anthrax is not contagious. |
8. |
Mailroom personnel should use modified "Clean Room" techniques.
Personnel with exposed open cuts or skin abrasions should not be allowed
in mailroom unless affected areas are covered. |
9. |
Clothing and Safety Equipment (Biohazard) should be located and
utilized in Mailroom. |
10. |
Mailroom and Shipping & Receiving personnel should be trained
and educated in Anthrax/Biological Detection and Infection Prevention,
as well as Containment and Notification procedures. |
The Positive Parcel DeterminationSM
program ensures that only letters, envelopes, packages, etc. from known
senders will be allowed into the general work areas. The program uses
security principles, detection methodology, and a mailroom database
to mitigate the potential of bio-terrorism in the workplace by means
of the mail system.
Recipients of mail should designate the name, address
and city & state of authorized senders of parcels for the PPDSM
system. Recipients should also note whether the sender is a "one-time,"
"occasional" or "repeat" sender.
Mailroom personnel should maintain an up-to-date database
of this information. For larger organizations, Intranet applications
should ensure secure access and restricted modification safeguards.
Additionally, if the organization uses routing mail-codes, consideration
should be given to changing mail-code designators to further isolate
unauthorized senders.
Parcels that arrive from PPDSM
authorized senders, should be forwarded to the designated recipient.
Parcels arriving that are not PPDSM
approved should be immediately taken to the isolation area for further
consideration.
Isolation area personnel should further scrutinize packages for warning
signs:
WARNING SIGNS:
- No Return Address
- Mailed from Foreign Country
- Returned Foreign Parcels
- Handwritten Address Information
- Misspelled Words or Title Only or Incorrect Title
- Badly Typed or Written
- Addressed to Employee who is No Longer with Company
- Wrong Title with Name
- Unusual Weight
- Odd Shape
- Stains or Protruding Wires Visible on Outside of Parcel
- Strange Odor
- Postmarks from known Terrorist Origination Points
- Postmark not Matching Sender's Address
- Excessive Postage
- Excessive Tape or String
- Caveats, such as "Confidential" or "Open by Addressee
Only"
- Unusual Paper Stock for Envelope
All parcels not displaying any warning signs should
then be entered into an exception parcel notification system that forwards
the name and address of the non-authorized sender to the listed recipient.
The recipient can then contact the sender for further corroboration
of the parcel's legitimacy. If the recipient is not able to verify the
sender or is suspicious of the parcel, he/she may request PPDSM
authentication.
PPDSM authentication
will commence with a digital image being taken of the parcel and then
attached to an email to the recipient. The recipient can again attempt
to determine the validity of the parcel or request corporate security
or outside security consultants to independently verify sender.
The PPDSM program
should also encourage all recipients to advise vendors, clients, affiliates,
and others to provide them with advanced notification of their intent
to send a parcel, and to designate method of shipment, i.e. FedEx, USPS,
DHL, UPS or private courier. This will help to ensure that the parcel
and sender are properly listed in the PPDSM
database system, thereby eliminating unnecessary delays.
What To Do If You Receive a Suspicious Parcel?
DO NOT OPEN THE PARCEL!
- Isolate the parcel from contact with others.
- Evacuate the immediate area.
- Wash your hands and arms with warm water and soap.
- Notify the FBI, Local Police, the Postal Inspector, or call 911
to report that you've received a parcel in the mail that may contain
biological or chemical substances.
What To Do If You Open a Suspicious Parcel and a Substance Is Present?
DO NOT PUT YOUR FACE NEAR THE PARCEL!
- Double Seal the Envelope in two (2) Zip-lock Baggies.
- Leave the suspect parcel where it was opened.
- Move away from the area.
SEAL OFF THE AREA - KEEP OTHERS AWAY
- Wash your hands and arms with warm, soapy water at least three
times.
- For further decontamination, a solution of water with 10% bleach
is advisable.
- Notify the FBI, Local Police, the Postal Inspector, or call 911.
- Be prepared to tell first responders who else has had contact with
the parcel.
Note: Organizations should have proactive and reactive policies and
procedures in place to address the threat of biological and chemical
weapons. In order to allocate security assets prudently, a Risk Analysis
should be conducted.
