Mail Safety

Northeast Data has taken the following steps to insure the safety of mail handling.

• Our Post Office Staff have reviewed and implemented US Postal Service recommendations for the identifying and handling of "suspicious mail". Of the 208 billion pieces of mail the US Postal Service delivers each year they have reported there has only been one confirmed incident of anthrax being sent through the mail.
• Public Safety has established a formal protocol for responding to suspicious letters or packages.
• We are providing the attached checklist which outlines how to determine if a letter or package is suspicious, and what to do next.

Being aware of potential hazards will allow us to react and respond to any incident in a safe and effective manner. Although any threatened use of a biological agent must be treated as though it is real, experience has demonstrated that these are likely to be a HOAX. These precautions are in place to ensure the safety of our company.

Mail Screening Checklist

Staff responsible for incoming mail should maintain an awareness of the possibility of anthrax threat letters. This checklist outlines common features of anthrax threat letters.

• No return address
• Excessive postage
• Hand written or poorly typed addresses
• Misspelling of common words
• Restrictive markings such as "Confidential", "Personal", etc
• Excessive weight and/or a feel of a powdery substance

If you receive a letter or note threatening Anthrax contamination:

RELAX and REMAIN CALM - Although any threatened use of a biological agent must be treated as through it is real, experience has demonstrated that these are likely to be a HOAX. If the suspected biological agent is reported as Anthrax, be assured that it is NOT contagious, and that treatment is readily available if administered before the onset of symptoms.

What should you do

• If it is a letter that you have opened, set it down gently at the location where you first read it. Then move to an area that will minimize your exposure to others. Avoid contact with others when possible, and remain in the area. Public Safety and Health responders will come to you.
• If it is a note that you happen to find, LEAVE IT ALONE.
• Advise a coworker in the immediate area what has happened and ask them to call 911.
• Do not allow others into the area. If anyone enters, they should stay until instructed to leave by Public Safety and Health responders.
• Remain calm. Exposure does not mean that you will become sick. Public Health responders will provide specific information and instructions about the symptoms and effective treatment to prevent illness.

What should you not do

• Do not pass the letter or note to others to look at.
• Do not disturb any contents in the letter or note. Handling the letter may only spread the substance inside and increase the chances of getting into the air.
• Do not ignore the threat. It must be treated as real until properly evaluated.

If you receive a threat by telephone - What should you do

• Remain clam, similar threats have all proven false and this is likely to be a hoax as well.
• Listen carefully to the caller so you can recall the details later. Listen for background noises
• Notify your supervisor.

What should you not do

• Do not ignore the threat. If must be treated as real until properly evaluated.
• Do not argue with or antagonize the caller.

Northeast Data management suggests that all junk mail not be opened and be trashed. If you are not aware of whom the sender of your mail is, do not open it.