HANDLING
SUSPICIOUS PACKAGES AT UH
MAIL SCREENING CHECKLIST
Staff responsible for incoming mail should maintain an awareness of
the
possibility of suspicious letters and packages (parcels).
- No return address.
- Note place of origin (delivery is uncommon)
- Handwritten or poorly typed addresses
- Misspelling of common words.
- Restrictive mailings such as "confidential," "personal",
etc.
- Excessive weight (unbalanced or weight is excessively heavy
for its volume) and/or a feel of powdery substances.
- Irregular sizes and stiffness.
- No knowledge of sender or unrequested (unsolicited).
- Inner enclosures.
- CDC Select Agents and Toxin must have accompanying
authorization.
If a parcel or letter exhibits any of these warning clues follow your
facility's specific protocol for accepting damaged or leaking parcel or
follow the recommendation below:
UNOPENED PARCEL
- DO NOT OPEN IT. There is no risk if the parcel is not
leaking or damaged.
- Call campus security.
- Avoid handling the package or keep handling to a minimum.
- Make the parcel safe. Initiate facility's contingency plan.
Place in a clear or transparent plastic bag (zip lock or trash bag)
seal or goose neck close with strap/duct tape.
LEAKING OR DAMAGED PARCEL
- Avoid handling of parcel. Initiate facility's contingency
plan. Don appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): gloves,
safety glasses, and dust mask.
- Inspect adjacent parcels for potential contamination and
put aside any that may have been contaminated from the leaking or
damaged parcel.
- Place all leaking, damaged, or contaminated parcels in a clear or
transparent plastic bag (zip lock or trash bag) seal or goose neck
close with strap/duct tape.
- Call campus security.
OPENED PARCEL
- Place all content back into orginal parcel. Initiate facility's
contingency plan.
- Place in a clear or transparent plastic bag (zip lock or trash bag)
seal or goose neck close with strap/duct tape.
- Stay in the room and notify campus security. (Do not contaminate
others or other areas).
- Person that opened the parcel and others who had direct contact
with parcel, must wash hands, immediately with soap and water.
ADDITION INFORMATION:
U.S. POSTAL SERVICE - Advisory:
What
To Do If You Receive An Anthrax Threat
CDC - Health Advisory:
How To Handle Anthrax and Other Biological Agent Threats
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA):
OSHA - Recommendations for Handling Suspicious Letters and Packages
