In light of recent events the Office of the Governor has mandated that all state agencies provide information relative to the safe handling of mail to their employees. (You should have received voice mail regarding this directive.) This is a - precautionary - effort in that there is no intelligence information which would indicate a direct threat to this institution or other state agencies at this time. This message includes three training components:

1. Mail Handling Guidelines
2. Identification of Suspicious Letters/Packages
3. Health Considerations - Anthrax
It is requested that you print out all of the following training information and discuss it at your staff meetings.
University Police offers on-site training regarding this issue and arrangements can be made for it by calling 6-2281.
Finally, do not hesitate to call University Police at 9-1-1 if you have any suspicious mail or packages.

The following guidelines have been developed jointly by health professionals, emergency responders, the FBI and the California Office of Emergency Services.

Mail Handling Guidelines

General precautions for those who handle large volumes of mail:

* Wash your hands with warm water and soap before and after handling mail.
* Do not eat, drink or smoke around mail.
* If you have open cuts or skin lesions on your hands, use disposable latex gloves.
* Surgical masks, eye protection or gowns are not necessary or recommended.

If a letter is received that could contain powder:

1. Do not shake, smell or open the envelope or package.
2. Isolate the work area so that no one disturbs the item.
3. Evacuation of the entire workplace is not necessary at this point.
4. Call University Police at 9-1-1. Tell the dispatcher what you have received and what you have done with it. Continue to stay on the line until released by the police dispatcher.
5. Wash your hands with warm water and soap for one minute.
6. Do not allow anyone to leave the office that might have touched the envelope.
7. When police, and other emergency responders arrive, they will provide you with
further instruction.

Important:

* Do not panic.
* Do not walk around with the item or shake it.
* Do not merely discard the letter.

Identification of Suspicious Letters or Packages

Suspicious letters or packages could contain one or more of the following indicators:

1. No return address.
2. Restrictive markings such as: "Personal", "Special Delivery" etc.
3. Excessive postage.
4. Misspelled words such as city, name, title, etc.
5. Addressed to a title only.
6. Wrong title.
7. Possibly mailed from a foreign country.
8. Excessive tape or string.
9. Stains, discoloration.
10. Lopsided or uneven.
11. Protruding wires.
12. Strange odor.
13. Rigid or bulky.

FBI Advisory Bulletin - Suspicious Letter or Package - Please post in your work area.
http://www.fbi.gov/pressrel/pressrel01/mail3.pdf

Health Considerations - Anthrax

Anthrax, while serious, is not a contagious disease. Local health providers, including Cal Poly's Student Health Services, have received detailed information on the diagnosis and treatment of anthrax. If you have reason to believe that you have been exposed and are concerned about symptoms, contact your local health provider, Health Services and police. For more information about the symptoms of anthrax visit:

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/anthrax_g.htm

Conclusion

Various units of the university have been closely monitoring recent events for information that may assist us in protecting the members of our community. Future emails, brochures, phone messages and other communications will be utilized to keep you informed.
For additional information regarding this issue please visit our web site or call the University Police at 6-2281

Links

FBI Advisory
Office of Emergency Services