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#1 Posted : 24 August 2006 14:24:00(UTC)
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Posted By Darren J Fraser
Hi all

In light of events around the world, I have been asked to look at this particular subject. Having researched old records found information from the mid seventies of how staff should deal with a letter, parcel bomb and telephone threat.

Have been in contact with the local police force and currently reading various documentation that they have provided.

It states that a risk assessment should be conducted

1. To access the percieved level of risk to the business from a terrorist attack

2. Establish what you want to protect and your vulnerabilities

3. Identify measures to reduce risk - such as security plans, improvements etc

4. Review the above

From this you should then be able to develop your security protocol (whatever that means)and becomes part of the business contingency plan

I have been advised that using the fire alarm system is not a good idea as it is likely to cause confusion (how ?), that using the fire assembly points is not recommended due to the proximity to the building (should be at least 500m's away - OK can understand why, flying glass etc), whether you conduct a search is up to you, and if it all goes wrong, you are likely to be prosecuted under HASWA74 for failing to ensure the safety your employees and others that may be affected by your undertaking.

I need some serious help guys and girls, has anyone else looked at this, if so where do I start / or if possible could I have sanitised version of your security procedures.

Many thanks to all that take time to read and respond.

Daz
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#2 Posted : 24 August 2006 14:37:00(UTC)
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Posted By Jeffrey Watt
There was a good thread on this a while back but can't remember the title, it may have started off under fire evacuation and moved onto bomb threat.

I worked for an american company and spent the 6 months after 9/11 opening all the suspicious Anthrax mail (no mail from Metallica).

Pretty sure we wouldn't get any but the worry was that someone would send us a load of flour and we would end up evacuating the site until someone confirmed it wasn't anthrax.

Jeff
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#3 Posted : 24 August 2006 15:22:00(UTC)
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Posted By Descarte
Will try and brief brief and to the point but if you require any further explanations just ask

fire evac points too close as explosions would throw material, glass ect into and on evacuees, 500m in the min distance advised and should be away from glass areas and out of line of sight

Mail room staff should be trained in how to spot suspect packages though the lvl of this training would be determined by the business type and risk lvl

A bomb threat policy would be required and all staff given access to "what to do in the event of receiving a telephone bomb threat message (available from MI5 website I think)

Fire alarms are general not said to be used as people may become confused and go to fire evac point instead of bomb threat evac point, fire alarms may also trigger an explosive device due to sound / vibration sensitivity (though so may mobile phones and tannoys but again vs risk)

Staff should be aware of the difference between fire and bomb evac points

Bomb evac points and path ways should be away from and out of the direction of likely areas to house an explosive device such as car parks, receptions and mail rooms

Mail staff should also be versed in what to do if they open a letter containing white powder (again extent of training and precautions based on risk and likelyhood)

probably missed a few things but heres a start
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#4 Posted : 24 August 2006 15:26:00(UTC)
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Posted By Descarte
oh..

bomb evacuation routes may be blocked off as with fire evac routes to ensure people are not evacuating past a the bomb / suspect package or area of explosion or line of sight.

As before all this should be determined by risk and business type and likelyhood, so mail sorting offices, police buildings, high risk pharmaceutical / animal testing facilities may/should have proper facilities even for scanning letters/boxes and all staff trained in dealing with and spotting suspect packages. Clean room and containment for opening letters with white powder and contingency measures.
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#5 Posted : 24 August 2006 15:28:00(UTC)
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Posted By Ann Guerrini
Hi Daz,

Have e mailed you direct.

Regards


Ann

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#6 Posted : 24 August 2006 16:09:00(UTC)
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Posted By Darren J Fraser
Thankyou everyone for your comments and direct contact they will be taken on board.

Daz
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#7 Posted : 25 August 2006 09:28:00(UTC)
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Posted By Phil H


It is also worth remembering and probaby more likely for most businesses to have a plan in place for disruption to work ( transport links,communication,how to carry on with business,welfare issues etc) if you are in an area where there is an incident or security checks have an effect on day to day business
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#8 Posted : 25 August 2006 09:46:00(UTC)
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Posted By Sean Fraser
There is a greater threat to business, not just through terrorism, and that is failure to prepare a business continuity plan for any conceivable contingency. A major fire or flood could be just as disasterous to your organisation as a bomb attack - and possibly more likely. The point is - if you had a major damage scenario, how quickly could you recover? What if just your IT and comms room was lost - would it put you out of business for good?

Strathclyde Police have been doing some good work here in Scotland to raise awareness on the topic, and through their website I traced the following link to the UK Government "Preparing for Emergencies" site:

http://www.pfe.gov.uk/business/index.shtm

Some excellent advice contained here. I hope you find it proves useful.

Scenario - minor fire in a lower floor room, easily dealt with by the Fire and Rescue Service. Fire out, but water everywhere. Unfortunately, it is right next to your incoming IT cable links which have now shorted and blown. Cost and time for repair of physical equipment - known or "muddle through"? Back-ups secure? Don't know? Time to do a continuity assessment!

I have a template assessment if anyone is interested. Replies to direct email requests only (use the link above to contact me).
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