Security Incidents - Suspect Mail

OHS Fact Sheet No FS59 - October 2005

Contents:
Introduction
Employer Duty of Care
National Security Information
Biological Hazards - Australia
Biological Hazards - Other Countries
Telephone Contact Numbers
Related Links

Introduction

Comcare has received a number of inquiries from agencies covered by theOccupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment) Act 1991(the Act) regarding security incidents involving suspect mail and possible biological contaminants in the workplace.

This fact sheet provides information and advice to assist employers in the Commonwealth with these issues.

Employer Duty of Care

While advice indicates that suspect mail received to date has not contained material of any concern, agencies should put in place procedures to ensure that they are taking all reasonably practicable steps to protect the health and safety at work of their employees as required by the Act.

Agencies should identify, assess and address risks, and bearing in mind advice from the Protective Security Coordination Centre, should place particular emphasis on reviewing procedures for handling mail.

Comcare's prevention publication Identifying Hazards in the Workplace [256 kb] provides guidance to agencies on the risk management process. As part of any risk management strategy, employers should consider the potential impact of these types of incidents on staff. The risk, whether perceived or real, can cause a level of concern, which should be addressed.

Agencies covered by the Act are required to notify Comcare of incidents including dangerous occurrences. Agencies are encouraged to contact Comcare for advice.

National Security Information

A range of information is also available to assist employers in relation to the handling of security incidents. The Protective Security Coordination Centre has issued a number of security advices to Agency Security Advisers and Senior Executive officers responsible for security. The Commonwealth Protective Security Manual 2000 provides information on the management of security incidents.

The Attorney General?s department is co-ordinating a National Security website for information on the threat of terrorism in Australia. This site includes various comments/statements made by the Australian Government in relation to Australia's ability to deal with potential threats.

Biological Hazards - Australia

Emergency Management Australia has released advice on managing Chemical, Biological and Radiological Incidents. There is also advice on the Commonwealth Government's role in emergency management.

The Australian Department of Health and Ageing website contains information on dealing with biological incidents including a Fact Sheet on Anthrax.

Biological Hazards - Other Countries

The CDC (Centre for Disease Control) in the USA has a Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response site which provides excellent coverage of recent events and initiatives in the USA regarding possible biological terrorism threats. There are a number of links from this site to various information sheets. The CDC also provides a more comprehensive view on Anthrax as a disease. The United States Postal Service has guidance on dealing with suspicious mail which may be contaminated.

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety has a section on managing biological hazards in the workplace.

Telephone Contact Numbers

All jurisdictions advised to call "000".

OHS queries, contact Comcare on1300 366 979.