Mail Safety Concern Procedures

Mail Safety Concerns

Handling Suspicious Mail: CDC Advisory & HCC Guidelines

The Safety Office recommends that mail handlers and other staff follow these guidelines, as appropriate, when handling mail and packages. Additional considerations include avoiding eating or having food in the mail handling area and practicing good hygiene during and after handling mail.

For assistance, contact:

  • HCC Police: 713-718-8888
  • HCC Safety Office: 713-718-7561

Police authorities should be allowed to conduct their proper investigation concerning
suspicious letters.

  •  Contact the HCC Safety Office for resolution regarding letters that have not been
    seized by police as part of a criminal investigation.
  • Contact local police authorities for incidents occurring away from HCC property.

How to handle Anthrax and other Biological Agent threats

“This is an official Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Health Advisory”
Many facilities across the country have received anthrax threat letters. Most were empty envelopes; some contained powdery substances. These guidelines provide procedures for safely handling such incidents.

Mail Safety Procedures

Do Not Panic!
  • Anthrax organisms can cause infection in the skin, gastrointestinal system, or lungs. Infection occurs only if the organism is rubbed into broken skin, swallowed, or inhaled as a fine aerosol. Early treatment with the appropriate antibiotics can prevent disease. Anthrax is not transmitted from person to person.
  • For anthrax to be effective as a covert agent, it must be aerosolized into very small
    particles. This is technically difficult. Inhalation of such particles can cause life-threatening lung infection, but prompt recognition and treatment are effective

 

Suspicious unopened letter or package marked with threatening message such as "ANTHRAX":
  1. Do not shake or open the envelope/package.
  2. Place it in a plastic bag or container to prevent leakage.
  3. If no container is available, cover it with anything (e.g., clothing, paper, trash can,.) and do not remove the cover.
  4. Leave the room and close the door, or section off the area.
  5. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.
  6. Report the incident:
    • At home: local police.
    • At work:  local police, and notify your building security or supervisor.
  7. List all people present and provide the list to the local public health authorities and law enforcement.

 

Envelope with powder and powder spilled
  1. Do Not clean up the powder. Cover the spilled contents immediately.
  2. Leave the room and close the door, or section off the area.
  3. Wash hands thoroughly.
  4. Report the incident (home: local police; work: local police + building security/supervisor).
  5. Remove heavily contaminated clothing, place in a plastic bag, give to the emergency responders.
  6. Shower with soap and water as soon as possible. (do not use bleach on skin).
  7. List all individuals in the area and provide to public health authorities and law enforcement.

 

Room contamination by aerosolization:

Examples: small device triggered, warning of contaminated air handling system, or
biological agent released in public space.

  1. Turn off local fans/ventilation units.
  2. Leave area immediately.
  3. Close door, or section off the area.
  4. Report incident:
    • Home,"911" local police and FBI field office.
    • Work, "911" local police,  FBI, and notify your building security or supervisor.
  5. Shut down building air handling system if possible.
  6. List all people present and provide to public health authorities and law enforcement.

 

How to identify suspicious packages and letters:

 Suspicious characteristics include:

  • Excessive postage
  • Handwritten or poorly typed addresses
  • Incorrect titles or title without a name
  • Misspellings of common words
  • Oily stains, discoloration or odor
  • No return address
  • Excessive weight
  • Lopsided or uneven envelope
  • Protruding wires or aluminum foil
  • Excessive security material (masking tape, string, etc.)
  • Visual distractions
  • Ticking sound
  • Marked "Personal" or "Confidential"
  • Postmark city/state does not match return address.

US Postal Service Suspicious Mail Poster
FBI Suspicious Package Advisory Poster