To protect Work Health and Safety a safe operating procedure (Mail Sorting) has been created to provide employees with actions to ensure so far as reasonably practicable that they are safe from injury and risks to health.
When undertaking mail monitoring and sorting a critical incident may occur. A critical incident is one in which the staff dealing with the correspondence feel personally threatened or affected by it.
If a critical incident occurs, the appropriate Manager will arrange for all employees involved to be debriefed by an Employee Assistance Provider.
Staff will also be required to complete an online incident report form.
To manage any risks the following should occur:
All employees handling mail must remain vigilant and cautious at all times to suspicious items.
A suspicious item may have one or more of the following characteristics:
If an item is received and it looks suspicious:
Refer to the appropriate sections of the Department of Education Critical Incident & Emergency Procedures if the item is considered to be a bomb or a chemical, biological or radiological substance.