Safe Mail Handling Guidelines

SAFE MAIL HANDLING GUIDELINES

(Commencing 12/06/01)

Due to recent events at the national level, questions have arisen at the campus about appropriate mail handling guidelines and related health issues regarding anthrax. Thus far, the university has had no known instances of such letters or packages arriving at the campus. The university also has no reason to believe this campus would be the target of such a mailing.

Nonetheless, university employees, particularly those handling large volumes of mail, are encouraged to use the following precautionary measures that have been developed by state and federal officials. Also, any campus employee who has received a suspicious letter or package, or who believes they may have been exposed to any dangerous substances, should immediately contact the University Police Department, as explained below.

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General Precautions for Handling Large Volumes of Mail:

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

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Indicators for Identifying Suspicious Letters or Packages:

1.	No return address.
2.	Restrictive markings such as "Personal," "Special Delivery," etc.
3.	Excessive postage.
4.	Misspelled words such as name, title, city.
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.

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If a Letter or Package is Received that MAY contain Powder:

1.	Do not panic.
2.	Do not walk around with the item, or shake it.
3.	Do not discard the item.
4.	Call the University Police Department from any University phone at 9-911. Tell the dispatcher what you have received and what you have done with it. Stay on the line until released by the police dispatcher.
5.	Do not shake, smell or open the envelope or package. Cover the envelope or package with something (e.g., clothing, paper, trash can, etc.), being careful not to raise or breathe dust, and do not remove this cover.
6.	Isolate the work area so that no one disturbs the item.
7.	Evacuation of the entire workplace is not necessary at this point.
8.	Wash your hands with warm water and soap for one minute.
9.	Do not allow anyone to leave the office who might have touched the item.
10.	When police and other emergency responders arrive, they will provide further instruction.

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Health Considerations - Anthrax:

1.	If you have reason to believe you have been exposed and are concerned about symptoms, you should immediately contact your local law enforcement agency, which will coordinate the appropriate response. On the Cal State Northridge campus, the university Police Department can be reached via university phones at 9-911. Using campus pay phones, dial 911.
2.	Cal State Northridge employees and students who have general questions about this disease or who are seeking general health information can contact Dr. Linda Reid Chassiakos, director of the Student Health Center. She is available by phone at ext. 3689 or via e-mail at linda.reid.chassiakos@csun.edu.

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Additional Information Resources:

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has prepared a bulletin with information on handling suspicious packages that contains similar information to that listed above. Campus offices are encouraged to download this advisory and post it in campus work areas: http://www.fbi.gov/pressrel/pressrel01/mail3.pdf.

The Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has prepared the following frequently asked questions (FAQ) about anthrax: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/anthrax_g.htm.

Broader information about current federal health activities relating to bio-terrorism also is available at the following web site: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/.

Conclusion:

Various units of the university have been closely monitoring recent events for information that may assist in protecting members of our community. Further information, as warranted, will be distributed to keep you informed