|
 The actions that will constitute an
appropriate response for an anthrax threat will depend on how the
threat was discovered and the credibility of a threat at your
facility (for example, which zone your facility fits into on the Anthrax
Risk Reduction Matrix).
| Discovery
of Possible Contamination or Threat |
 Discovery
of anthrax may occur in several ways:
- Physical evidence (such as a suspicious package
containing powder),
- Epidemiological or medical observations (such as
individual cases of anthrax), or
- Unsubstantiated threat (such as a phone call or letter
stating that anthrax has been used).
The following links provide additional information about identifying
suspicious packages:
- Updated
Information About How To Recognize and Handle a Suspicious
Package or Envelope [95 KB PDF, 2 pages]. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Health
Advisory, CDCHAN-00050-01-10-31-ADV-N, (2001, October 31).
- Protect Your Workplace: Learn All About Suspicious Packages. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), (2006, September 20). Describes the new poster developed through the joint efforts of four federal agencies—the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS); the US Postal Service and its Postal Inspection Service; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the FBI.
- Mail Security Center. United States Postal Service.
- Video: Protecting Your Health for People Who Process,
Sort, and Deliver the Mail. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Public Health Foundation, Bioterrorism/Emergency
Preparedness.
|
| Evaluate
the Credibility of the Threat |
 The
first step to take for a potential anthrax threat is to evaluate
the credibility of the threat. This is done by evaluating
where your facility fits on the
Anthrax Risk Reduction Matrix. The actions you should take
if you have an anthrax threat at your worksite will depend on
your zone.
|
| Determine
What Actions You Should Take |
After
you have determined which zone your facility fits into on the Anthrax
Risk Reduction Matrix, the following table will help you
determine what actions to take if you have an anthrax threat at your
worksite.
Select the color zone title (green, yellow,
red) to see corresponding response actions. (Text Version.)
| Nature
of the Anthrax Threat |
Response
Actions |
A credible anthrax threat is unlikely at your facility.
|
A credible anthrax threat is
possible at your facility.
|
Anthrax is strongly suspected or
has been confirmed at your facility. The appropriate
authorities should already be involved in the the anthrax
mitigation efforts.
|
Physical
evidence
(such as a suspicious package
containing powder) |
1. Determine if there is a logical
explanation for the "physical evidence" (such as a
suspicious package or powder). Some examples may include:
- If you receive a suspicious package, try to identify
who sent it and call them to ask about it.
- If you find suspicious powder, try to determine if the
powder came from a logical source (such as a powdered
soap dispenser, spilled baking soda box, construction
debris, etc.).
2. If you determine that the
"physical evidence" came from a logical source and
it is not suspicious, it is unlikely that anthrax is
present.
|
Epidemiological
or medical observations
(such as individual cases of anthrax) |
1. If one or more employees are
exhibiting symptoms of anthrax:
- Encourage them to see a health care professional to
evaluate the cause of the symptoms.
- Many of the anthrax symptoms are similar to common
illnesses, such as the flu, and can cause unnecessary
distress in the workplace.
2. If no confirmed cases of anthrax
are discovered, it is unlikely that a credible threat of
anthrax exposure exists at your worksite. |
Threat
(such as a phone call or letter stating
that anthrax has been used) |
1. Call 9-1-1 and report the threat.
An anthrax threat is a criminal act, regardless if the
threat is credible or not.
|
Physical
evidence
(such as a suspicious package
containing powder) |
1. Determine if there is a logical
explanation for the "physical evidence" (such as a
suspicious package or powder). Some examples may include:
- If you receive a suspicious package, try to identify
who sent it and call them to ask about it.
- If you find suspicious powder, try to determine if the
powder came from a logical source (such as a powdered
soap dispenser, spilled baking soda box, construction
debris, etc.).
2. If you determine that the
"physical evidence" came from a logical source and
it is not suspicious, it is unlikely that anthrax is
present.
or
If you cannot find a logical explanation for the
"physical evidence:"
|
Epidemiological
or medical observations
(such as individual cases of anthrax) |
1. If one or more employees are
exhibiting symptoms of anthrax:
- Encourage them to see a health care professional to
evaluate the cause of the symptoms.
- Many of the anthrax symptoms are similar to common
illnesses, such as the flu, and can cause unnecessary
distress in the workplace.
2. If no confirmed cases of anthrax
are discovered, it is unlikely that a credible threat of
anthrax exposure exists at your worksite.
or
If a confirmed case of anthrax is discovered at your
worksite:
- Notify your local health department. Call 9-1-1 if you
are unsure who to contact.
- Follow the directions of the health department and
help them determine if your workplace may have been the
source of the exposure.
|
Threat
(such as a phone call or letter stating
that anthrax has been used) |
1. Call 9-1-1 and report the threat.
An anthrax threat is a criminal act, regardless if the
threat is credible or not.
2. Notify your employees of the threat. Inform them to be
cautious of suspicious mail/packages and to report any
potential anthrax found in the workplace.
3. If physical evidence is discovered, initiate your Emergency
Action Plan (EAP).
|
Physical
evidence
(such as a suspicious package
containing powder) |
1. Notify the authorities overseeing
mitigation of anthrax at your facility. If authorities
aren't involved yet, call 9-1-1 and report the threat.
2. Initiate your Emergency
Action Plan (EAP), or continue EAP activities if already
underway. |
Epidemiological
or medical observations
(such as individual cases of anthrax) |
1. Notify the authorities overseeing
mitigation of anthrax at your facility. If authorities
aren't involved yet, call 9-1-1 and report the threat.
2. Follow the directions of the authorities overseeing
mitigation to help them identify all persons who might have
been exposed to anthrax. |
Threat
(such as a phone call or letter stating
that anthrax has been used) |
1. Notify the authorities overseeing
mitigation of anthrax at your facility. The threat may help
them identify the source of the anthrax if not already
identified. If authorities aren't involved yet, call 9-1-1
and report the threat. |
|
Accessibility Assistance: Contact the OSHA Directorate of Technical Support and Emergency Management at 202-693-2300 for assistance accessing PDF materials.
|
|
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