December 2001

USPS Is at War Against Terrorism

Working to Keep Employees, the Public, and the Mail Safe

Postal Service employees find themselves on the front lines of a war against terrorism that has touched where we work and left us saddened at the deaths of two of our colleagues and the illnesses of others.

This is an unprecedented assault on the U.S. mail. It requires an unprecedented response from the Postal Service. New safety measures are being implemented. Technologies that screen and sanitize the mail are being purchased. Millions of gloves and facemasks are being distributed to employees nationwide. Postal Service officials are front and center keeping the public informed. The Postal Service is using every means available to keep the mail as safe as humanly possible during this crisis.

"We in the Postal Service are at war," says Postmaster General Jack Potter, "a war against terrorism. Our job is to win that war."

The safety and health of employees and customers is of utmost concern, says Potter. The Postal Service is engaged in a four-part effort to combat the terrorist threat through education, investigation, intervention, and prevention. Everyone has a role in keeping the mail safe and moving. Be aware. Be vigilant. Stay informed. Log on to www.usps.com for the latest information. The Postal Service is keeping you informed. Use this information.

This is a war being fought on two battlefields, one abroad and the other here at home, says Potter. "Rest assured that we intend to win this fight against those who have attacked our country and our way of life."

Industry Best Practices for Mail Security

What You Can Do to Help Ensure the Safety and Security of Your Mail

Professional mailers use well-developed security practices. This is a summary of best practices used by the mailing industry and shared with the USPS. These suggestions may not apply to all businesses. Mailers should determine which are appropriate for their company and conduct periodic security reviews of their operation to identify needed improvements. The list below contains general security concepts and a few specific examples of how to accomplish them.

Securing the Production Facility

Control access to the plant site/work area:

• Limit facility access to employees, known visitors, and escorted visitors.
• Ensure access to the facility from all entrances is limited to authorized personnel only.
• Prohibit doors from being propped open.
• Require deliveries to be made in a restricted area.
• Restrict drivers to an area that is separate from the production facilities.
• Use video cameras inside and outside the facility.

Transportation Security

• Clean trucks, trailers, and mail transport equipment between shipments.
• Seal all inbound shipments of supplies. Record the seal number on the bill of lading and have the driver check them upon arrival.
• Use trucking companies certified by and registered with the U.S. Department of Transportation and that are fully insured.
• Seal, with numbered seals, all outbound trailers that move among mailer facilities and between mailer facilities and USPS facilities.
• Note on the bill of lading if a shipment arrives with a broken seal, and investigate the shipment.
• Use DSAS and other systems to track the location and expected time of arrival for all shipments. Investigate any delays.

Employee Security

Maintain good hiring practices:

• Perform background checks on all employees prior to hiring.
• Make exclusive arrangements with one or two temporary employment agencies to ensure that a restricted pre-screened group of individuals is available when needed to supplement the workforce.
• Establish an employee identification program.
• Require employees to wear photo ID badges.
• Instruct employees to challenge any unknown person in a facility.
• Provide uniforms with names and logos stitched on them for employees to wear at work.
• Provide a separate area for personal items (e.g., coats and purses).
• Prohibit employees from taking personal items into the main workspace.

Mail Preparation

• Use tinted stretchwrap around bundles and pallets. The shrinkwrap identifies the mail as coming from a professional mailer and allows for easier detection of tampering.

Recommendations for Mailpiece Design

• Use safety seals and tamper-proof envelopes.
• Use transparent envelopes.
• Use closed window envelopes rather than open window envelopes.
• Use a postmark or indicia that matches the city and state of the return address.
• Use a full return address and recognizable company logo on the outside of mailpieces.
• Include a contact name and phone number or Email address in all correspondence.
• Discontinue using "handwritten" fonts.
• Include a toll-free number and Web site on the outside of the mailpiece.
• Use indicia or metered postage instead of live postage stamps.
• Inspect all pre-printed inserts.
• Assess use of premiums such as pens and magnets, which make mailpieces lumpy and misshapen.
• Review production processes to eliminate any substances that could be misidentified as a biohazardous material by employees or customers.

— Pricing and Classification