ColetivoBrasil.org

Security Consultant’s Perspective…

Regardless of your type of business, size or location, the threat
of workplace violence and terrorism is all around us these days.
It could involve you, your employees and your business at any
time. Protective Measures seem a bit of theatrics yet failure to
be vigilant or to exercise due diligence could result in a
disaster or a civil suit. I believe protecting the workforce is a
never-ending task of vigilance, awareness and training.
Protecting the Mail Rooms and educating your workforce is all
part of the workplace security process. All employees should be
given a security awareness briefing on the topic of handling
suspicious pieces of mail and Mail Room Security Procedures.

The Mail Room Threat…

The handling and processing of incoming mail today remains a
businesses weakest point. Incoming mail is not routinely isolated
as a matter or protective measures, delivery personnel are not
being restricted from building access, employees may or may not
know what to look for and what to do when handling suspicious
packages or letters, there are no control points restricting
access by all, and letters and packages to senior officers are
not given extra precautionary attention. It is unlikely that
mailroom employees are cleared, are familiar with basic security
procedures or that they have been trained to recognize and handle
suspicious packages and letters. The potential nightmare remains
the lack of security awareness, the recognition of suspicious
mail and what to look for and what to do.

Recommendations…

Supervisors and managers should insure that some form of security awareness be
incorporated into the day-to-day operations. All employees should
at a minimum know the basic mail handling security measures. It
does not take much time to impart information to a group of
employees using the “Stand-up Talk”, a technique used by the
Postal Service very effectively to provide information to employees without
disrupting the operations. Normally the “Stand-up Talk” lasts
between 15 - 20 minutes. The “Stand-up Talks are quite an
effective method of communications in this way.

What to do in case of a suspicious piece of mail…?

This area requires paying attention to details and discipline. If you notice a suspicious letter or package during routine mail handling or if you’ve received a piece of suspicious mail, take the following steps: don’t handle it, evacuate the premises but, certainly the area around the piece and do follow your security plan by notifying supervisors and the appropriate emergency service personnel listed in the security plan.

Felix P. Nater is the President of Nater Associates, Ltd a Security Management Practice offering prospective clients Integrated Workplace Security Solutions, specializing in Workplace Violence Intediction, Security Policy and Plans. I believe in providing clients what they need and not what I want to give them.