Suspicious Packages in the Workplace: What Should You Do?

Receiving an unexpected package at work isn’t necessarily cause for concern. But if a package, letter or other item appears suspicious, knowing how to respond can help protect the people within your workplace.

Suspicious packages should be considered as part of your workplace emergency planning, particularly where your organisation receives regular deliveries, has publicly accessible reception or mail areas, or has identified security-related risks.

So, what should you look for — and what should you do if something doesn’t seem right?

What is considered a suspicious package?

There isn’t one feature that automatically makes a package suspicious. Instead, employees should consider the overall appearance of the item, how it was delivered and whether there is anything unusual about the circumstances.

Potential warning signs may include:

• Unusual sounds coming from the package
• Unexpected or unusual odours
• Visible wires or other unusual components
• Excessive or unusual postage
• Incorrectly written names, titles or addresses
• Unusual stains, powders or substances
• Excessive wrapping or securing material
• An uneven, rigid or unusual shape
• No identifiable or expected sender
• A package that is unexpected or out of context for the recipient or workplace

The circumstances surrounding the delivery can be just as important as its physical appearance.

For example, an unexpected package from an unknown sender may warrant further attention if there is no clear reason for the recipient or organisation to have received it.

The key is not to panic or immediately assume the package is dangerous. Instead, employees should know how to recognise something unusual and follow the workplace’s established emergency procedures.

What should you do if you find a suspicious package at work?

If you believe an item may pose a risk, do not touch, open or unnecessarily move it.

Move away from the immediate area and prevent other people from approaching or handling the item. Follow your workplace emergency procedures and notify the appropriate person within your organisation, such as a Chief Warden, security representative or other designated emergency personnel.

Where there is an immediate threat to safety, contact emergency services by calling Triple Zero (000).

Employees should avoid attempting to investigate the contents themselves. Leave the assessment and management of a potentially dangerous item to the appropriate authorities.

What if the suspicious package has already been opened?

Sometimes a package may only appear suspicious after it has been opened.

If an unusual powder, liquid, substance or other potentially hazardous material is discovered, avoid further contact with the item and follow your workplace emergency procedures.

People should move away from the immediate area where it is safe to do so, prevent others from entering and seek instructions from emergency services.

Avoid touching, cleaning up or otherwise disturbing an unknown substance unless instructed to do so by the appropriate authorities.

If anyone has been exposed to an unknown substance or is experiencing symptoms, this information should be provided to emergency services so they can advise on the appropriate response.

Make suspicious package procedures part of your emergency planning

Employees are far more likely to respond appropriately when they have been given clear instructions before an emergency occurs.

Your workplace emergency plan should consider the emergencies that are reasonably relevant to your organisation, location and operations. Where suspicious packages or security threats have been identified as a potential risk, procedures should clearly outline:

• Who employees should notify
• How the area should be managed
• When and how emergency services should be contacted
• The responsibilities of your Emergency Control Organisation
• How employees, visitors and contractors will be kept away from the affected area
• How information and instructions will be communicated during the incident

Emergency procedures should also be supported by appropriate training so the people responsible for managing an emergency understand their roles.

Preparation helps people respond calmly

Finding a suspicious package in your workplace can be unsettling, but the response shouldn’t rely on guesswork.

Clear workplace emergency procedures give employees a process to follow: don’t touch or disturb the item, keep people away from the area, follow your emergency procedures and seek assistance from the appropriate authorities.

Workplace Emergency Management can help your organisation develop and review emergency plans and procedures that reflect the risks specific to your workplace, so your people know what to do when an emergency occurs.