Is Your Company Cognizant Of The Mail Room Threat...?
Posted by Felix P. Nater on: 2005-08-02 18:53:24
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, the need to protect the Mail Room from unauthorized personnel and general Mail Room security measures.
2) 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 controlling
access by all, and letters and packages to senior officers are
not given extra precautionary attention. It is unlikely most
mailroom employees are cleared, are familiar with basic security
procedures or that they have been trained in Mail Room Security Procedures. The potential nightmare remains the lack of security awareness, the recognition of suspicious mail; what to look for and what to do.
3) Recommendations...
Supervisors and managers should insure that some form of security awareness is 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 to provide information to a large group of 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.
4) 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 supervisor and the appropriate emergency service personnel listed in the security plan.
About the Author
Felix P. Nater is the President of Nater Associates,Ltd a Security Management Consulting Practice offering prospective clients Integrated Workplace Security Solutions with a specialty in Workplace Violence.