What to Do in an Emergency?
Suspicious Packages
Download and display this poster
[pdf] in your mailroom or other common areas. (From the USPS.)
Some signs of 'suspicious' mail are:
- address or return address looks unusual or is written in an
unusual fashion or style
- letter is bulky, sealed, or taped in an unusual way
- letter or package is stained or leaking material of some
sort
- excessive postage or origination from overseas
Suspected Foreign Substance
For a situation where a person who has opened mail suspects that he/she has
been contaminated, or the object is emitting or leaking some foreign
substance:
1. A person who opens a suspicious package and thinks he/she has
been
contaminated should:
- avoid inhaling or touching his/her face
- immediately put the package down in his/her work area
- cover it with a container (e.g., trashcan) or use a piece of
paper, newspaper, envelope, or file folder to cover the
suspicious item if nothing else is available
2. This person should then exit his/her office, closing the door
on the way out, and ask a co-worker to:
- call 911 to advise of a suspicious package with possible
contamination
- place an "Off Limits" sign on person's door
- notify the person's supervisor (if readily available)
- call SLAC Security (x2551)
- place an "Off Limits" sign on the restroom to which the
potentially-contaminated person is traveling to wash up
3. The co-worker should then pull the fire alarm while exiting,
so that the building will be evacuated.
4. The potentially-contaminated person should then go to the
restroom or janitor's closet area to wash his/her hands with soap
and water before exiting the building. He/she should stand apart
from others and communicate in some way to the building manager so
that the PAFD hazmat team will know who needs de-contaminating.
Suspicious without Foreign Substance
If the letter or envelope or package looks suspicious or
"funny," but there is no sign of a foreign substance, the individual
should:
- leave the area along with any others and close the door if
possible
- notify his/her supervisor. If the supervisor cannot be
located then call SLAC Security (x2551)
- wait outside his/her work area for supervisor or Security.
Keep others from entering the area.
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