In light of the recent events, UAMS Mail Processing would like to encourage you to be more aware of packages and letter you come in contact with on a daily basis.

The Physical Plant Control Center’s phone number on both the suspicious mail and the bio-terrorism guide has been changed to 686-5891(the trouble call number).

Documents on safety of
Suspect Mail and Biological Elements
can be seen at the
UAMS Occupational Health and Safety web pages

Christopher C. Hogan, M.S.
OHS Information Manager
HoganChristopherC@uams.edu

Information on how the United States Postal Service is handling this threat can be found at their web page. www.USPS.com.

I) HOW TO IDENTIFY SUSPICIOUS PACKAGES AND LETTERS

• Excessive postage
• Handwritten or poorly typed addresses
• Incorrect titles
• Title, but no name
• Misspellings of common words
• Oily stains, discoloration or odor
• No return address
• Excessive weight (*)
• Lopsided or uneven envelope
• Protruding wires or aluminum foil (*)
• Excessive security material such as masking tape, string, etc.
• Visual distractions
• Ticking sound (*)
• Marked with restrictive endorsements, such as "Personal" or "Confidential"
• Shows a city or state in the postmark that does not match the return address (*)
• Foreign post marks and / or writing from an unknown sender

Many letters or packages may have one of the above minor indicators such as a title but no name, but when a letter or package has multiple indicators, or a more obvious indicator (*) you may want to consider this "suspicious".

Example:

• No return address
• marked "Personal"
• with excessive postage.

II) WHAT YOU SHOULD DO IF YOU CONSIDER A LETTER OR PACKAGE SUSPICIOUS

1. DO NOT pass the letter or package to others to look at. Leave it where it is.
2. DO NOT shake or empty the contents of any suspicious envelope or package.
3. DO NOT ignore the threat, it must be treated as real until properly evaluated.
4. LEAVE the room and CLOSE the door, or section off the area to prevent others from entering.
5. WASH your hands with soap and water.
6. REPORT THE INCIDENT IMMEDIATELY
   TO THE PHYSICAL PLANT CONTROL CENTER AT 686-5891
   • Notify your supervisor.
   • Follow the Control Centers instructions.
   • Wait for UAMS Police and Occupational Health and Safety to arrive.
   • All potentially contaminated or exposed persons should remain in an adjacent area until cleared to evacuate by officials.

III) IF THE LETTER IS MARKED WITH A THREATENING MESSAGE OR IF SUSPICIOUS MATERIAL SPILLS OUT

• REPORT THE INCIDENT IMMEDIATELY
  TO THE PHYSICAL PLANT CONTROL CENTER AT 686-5891
• Notify your supervisor
• Follow the Control Center's instructions
• Wait for UAMS Police and Occupational Health and Safety to arrive
• All potentially contaminated or exposed persons should remain in an adjacent area until cleared to evacuate by officials.