ENSURING THE SAFETY
AND SECURITY OF YOUR BUS COMPANY THROUGH PREVENTIVE STRATEGIES
by Phillip S. Paige, President
and CEO, Paige Bus Enterprises
September 11,
2001 has caused every business to look at the way they secure their
workplace. A wise business owner/manager understands that
no business is invincible and all are at risk of some form of terrorism
or sabotage. This means understanding and being prepared for
misfortunes and disasters. The following information is summary
of ways to help school bus operators prepare their employees and
their locations in case of exposure to anthrax.
Several recent
confirmed incidents of U.S. Postal Service mail delivered to places
of employment and containing anthrax have spurred the Postal Service,
the Centers for Disease Control and the Occupational Safety and
Health Commission to issue advisories for how to respond to the
threat of contaminated mail. These advisories posted on the
Web sites of the USPS, CDC and OSHA provide information on how to
identify suspicious letters and packages and how to respond to mail
suspected or known to be contaminated. They also provide links
to other resources, such as the Federal Emergency Management Administration
(http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/bioterrorism/pkghandling.html).
WHAT IS ANTHRAX
Anthrax, disease
of warm-blooded animals, including humans, caused by the bacterium
Bacillus anthracis.
Anthrax is a spore-forming bacterium. The spores have protective
coats and can withstand extreme heat, drought, and other harsh conditions.
They can live for centuries in soil. Anthrax spores also have the
potential for use in biological warfare because of their ability
to survive and because they spread easily in air and can be inhaled.
Once the spores are inside the lungs, the bacteria develop and begin
to multiply.
ANTHRAX
IN HUMANS
In
humans, the disease can appear in three forms: cutaneous,
inhalation, and gastrointestinal. The cutaneous, or external
form, primarily involves the skin and is contracted mainly by those
who handle contaminated hides, wool, or carcasses. The bacteria
enter through a cut or other opening in the skin, and a dark, itchy
bump that resembles an insect bite appears. The bump then
develops into an open sore with a black area in the center.
The cutaneous form of anthrax can be treated with antimicrobial
drugs. Death results in about 20 percent of untreated cases.
Veterinarians, mill workers, laboratory researchers, and other people
at risk of exposure to anthrax are generally vaccinated against
the disease.
Humans contract
internal forms of anthrax by inhaling anthrax spores or by eating
contaminated meat. People who work with animal hair and wool
are most likely to inhale the spores, especially in areas where
anthrax occurs in animals. Symptoms of inhaled anthrax initially
resemble those of a cold or flu – general aches and pains, fever,
fatigue, cough, and mild chest pain. Inhaled anthrax is fatal
unless the infected person has been vaccinated or antibiotics are
administered soon after inhalation. Ciprofloxaci penicillin
and other antibiotics are effective treatments, except in rapidly
progressing cases.
CHARACTERISTICS
OR SIGNS OF SUSPICIOUS MAIL
The CDC, USPS and OSHA
advisories list characteristics or signs to look for in identifying
mail which may be contaminated with biological or chemical agents,
or which may be otherwise hazardous. Those characteristics
include:
- no return
address;
- excess postage;
- misspelled
words;
- sloppy typing
or handwriting;
- wrong or
incomplete addressee information;
- lopsided
or uneven envelope or packaging;
- excessive
tape or string;
- stains or
discoloration on envelope or wrapping;
- an unrecognized
or unexpected foreign return address;
- a strange
odor.
SUMMARY OF PREVENTIVE OR RESPONSIVE MEASURES
- do not shake
or empty the contents
- place the
envelope or package in a plastic bag or some other type of container
to prevent leakage, or cover it with anything available,
such as clothing, paper, or trash can, and keep it covered;
- leave the
area and close the door or barricade the area to prevent others
from entering;
- wash
hands with soap and water to prevent spreading to other places
on the body;
- report
to a supervisor or building security and to local police;
- list all
people who may have been exposed to the item and provide the list
to those officials for follow up.
If an envelope
or package already has been opened and contains powder, or powder
spills out
- do not clean
up the powder, and cover the contents immediately with anything
such as clothing, paper or a trash can;
- leave the
room and close the door or barricade the area to prevent others
from entering;
- wash hands
with soap and water and shower with soap and water as soon as
possible;
- report the
incident to a supervisor or building security and to local police;
- remove and
store contaminated clothing in a sealed container to be given
to emergency officials for follow up;
- provide a
list of all people who may have been exposed to the contaminated
item to the law enforcement and emergency medical authorities
for follow up and investigation.
The
United States Postal Service has similar advice for mail handling
procedures. Additionally, the Postal Service advises individuals
to take as instructed any medication prescribed by a physician as
a result of possible exposure.
More
information is available from both the CDC and the USPS on their
Web sites:
www.bt.cdc.gov and
www.usps.com, respectively.
WHAT
EMPLOYERS SHOULD BE DOING NOW
While there has
not yet been any mandate issued by a court, legislature, or governmental
agency requiring employers to institute mail handling procedures,
employers across the country are assessing the risk to their employees
and developing appropriate responses. Precautions for handling
incoming mail may include using protective devices, such as letter
openers, latex gloves, or surgical mask, or segregating suspicious
items for retrieval by the addressee. Employees who process
or handle incoming mail should be advised what to do and whom to contact
if they find a suspicious item or are exposed to powdery or other
foreign substances contained in a letter or package. Others
measures may be needed to protect employees adequately and to provide
the information they need to avoid unnecessary panic or overreaction.
WHAT TO DO
IF ANTHRAX IS FOUND ON A SCHOOL BUS
If anthrax or a
suspicious substance is found on a vehicle the safety of the passengers
is foremost. Remaining calm and taking common-sense precautions
can reduce the possibility of injuries.
SAFETY
PROCEDURES
- Move the vehicle to
a safe location as soon as possible and secure it.
- Use available materials
such as jackets, paper, wastebaskets, etc. to cover the suspicious
substance. Do not move or touch the substance.
- Notify your terminal
of the emergency and begin your companies evaluation steps avoiding
the area of the bus that may be contaminated.
- After everyone has
been moved to a safe area, wait for emergency personnel to arrive.
At no time should non-emergency personnel be allowed to enter
the vehicle.
- Documentation of all
passengers on the bus, especially those who were closest to the
substance is important to local officials and school personnel.
This scene should be treated as an accident scene.
- If the suspicious
materials has come in contact with your skin, wash your hands
with soap and water, prevent spreading any power to your face.
Do not use bleach or other disinfectant on your skin.
- Remove any and all
contaminated clothing as soon as possible and place it in a plastic
bag and seal it. Give the clothing to the proper authorities.
- Shower with soap and
water as soon as possible. Do not use bleach or disinfectant
on your skin.
We can’t prevent
all incidents of this nature, but where the human factor is concerned,
people have considerable control. A business owner/manager
who is knowledgeable and careful can go a long way toward creating
a safe workplace where employees and managers cooperate in avoiding
unnecessary risks. By lessening the risks, you also protect
your company against lawsuits, excessive insurance claims, and government
citations. To keep employees informed, display a copy of your
company’s written policies concerning incidents of this nature in
strategic areas of your terminal.
Sources:
Business Resource Center, Laidlaw Educational services, United States
Postal Service, Encarta Reference Library, Kottkes’ Bus Service
Inc., Krapf Bus Co., and Paige Bus Enterprises
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