The Package That Could

For decades, businesses have been victimized by intentionally infected envelopes and boxes that have disrupted production, temporarily closed facilities, created fear among employees and customers, and left emotional and financial scars. These attacks are a form of terrorism committed typically by an individual to create terror among masses of people to achieve financial, political, religious, or ideological goals.

In the mid-1970s, a major grain company’s employees received packages containing wood ticks. In early 2000, envelopes containing anthrax were sent to U.S. senators at their offices in Washington, DC. In the mid-2000s, envelopes containing the deadly chemical ricin were sent to facilities in several East Coast states, closing down mail handling facilities for many months. Earlier in 2018, private citizens and businesses in Austin, TX received packages laden with explosives.

Business owners and operators have no control over what terrorists may do next, but businesses do have the ability to minimize the effects a dangerous package can have on their operations, employees, and customers.

In response to attacks experienced in the mid-2000s, security experts began designing safeguards into mail facilities that gave mail handing personnel the ability to identify suspect packages and isolate them until they could be safely inspected and successfully deactivated by trained personnel.

Mail Handling Procedure

The following are guidelines businesses can use to reduce the dangers of contaminated or explosive-laden packages.

1. Where possible, receive incoming mail and packages through an entrance that affects the fewest number of employees and customers.
2. Physically separate mail handling areas from other operating areas to provide easier isolation of mail and packages that might be suspected of containing harmful materials.
3. Isolate suspect items in a secure room without HVAC until the items can be examined by trained and properly equipped personnel. Chemicals are one of the most lethal threats faced by first responders.
4. Train employees on how to identify suspect packages, particularly those who receive, sort, and distribute mail. Employees should be encouraged to trust their gut feelings and intuition.
5. Always have rubber gloves and other protective gear available for employees working with incoming mail.

A well-designed mail center with protective procedures is like an insurance policy – something you hope you never have to use, but if you do, you can recover more quickly and at a reduced cost to your business.

The following publication is valuable reference for developing mail handling practices: Best Practices For Mail Screening and Handling Processes (https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/isc-mail-handling-screening-nonfouo-sept-2012-508.pdf.).

Curtis M. Haugen is CEO and operations director for S’Curo Group, LLC, Middleton, WI; 608-354-6082.

Reprinted from Grain Journal May/June 2018 Issue